I believe that protecting our environment should be among our highest priorities and that our goal should be to deliver to coming generations an environment that equals or exceeds in quality the one we inherited.  I support efforts that will help us achieve that goal and oppose proposals that will deplete our natural resources and damage our environment.

 

I believe in protecting vulnerable animal populations and have consistently supported legislation to protect endangered species and preserve natural habitats.  I will continue to support and promote legislation which protects wildlife and safeguards the environment.

 

I believe that energy conservation, improved fuel efficiency standards and targeted tax incentives for renewable energy and alternative fuel development will help the United States to lead the world in responsible, reliable energy generation that does not place undue burdens on the environment.  Throughout my service in Congress it has been my goal to evaluate the long-term impacts of energy legislation to determine the most responsible methods for lessening the nation’s dependence on non-renewable energy sources, both foreign and domestic.

 

I am gravely concerned about the effects of global warming on the environment and support a comprehensive energy policy that includes conservation, energy efficiency and increased use of alternative energy sources.  Unfortunately, political and philosophical disputes about the appropriate governmental response to these impacts have thwarted efforts to address global warming.  We must renew and expand our commitment to solving this global concern.

 

I share the views of many of my constituents about the importance of protecting ecologically sensitive federal lands from oil exploration.  I also believe that any oil recovered from these areas – including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the Tongass National Forest and the Chugach National Forest – would have only a marginal impact on the nation’s oil supply and would not justify the devastating impacts on the environment such exploration would cause.