The Environment

We have a responsibility to conserve and protect our resources, which are vital to Maryland’s economy, to ensure that America’s treasures will be here for our children, and their children.”
- Congressman C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger

As a member of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, Congressman Ruppersberger keeps Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay a top priority in Washington. He:

  • Cosponsors the "Chesapeake Clean Water & Ecosystem Restoration Act,” one of the most aggressive Bay clean-up bills in decades, requiring states to draft plans to meet strict pollution caps and authorizing new funding to reduce run-off.
  • Helped secure more than $20 million for projects in and around the Bay, including millions to construct oyster habitats essential to improving water quality and help farmers control run-off.
  • Supports strengthening the “Clean Water Act.”

Congressman Ruppersberger believes we must take a proactive approach to address global warming, promote clean energy and reduce our reliance on foreign oil. He:

  • Introduced the “Commuters Bill of Rights” to improve mass transit safety, reliability and convenience.
  • Supports mass transit funding, securing millions of dollars for MARC rail, the Baltimore Red Line concept and a study to improve congestion along the I-295 corridor.
  • Supported an aggressive response to the BP Oil Spill, voting in favor of legislation to eliminate the cap on the liability of oil companies, requiring BP to put down a $25 million down payment on the economic and environmental damages caused by the spill and ensuring the families of those killed and injured are justly compensated.
  • Supported legislation to limit greenhouse gas emissions, foreign oil dependence and create jobs in a clean energy industry.
  • Opposes drilling in federally-protected areas.

Congressman Ruppersberger believes we must defend wildlife and our natural resources and aggressively conserve open space. He:

  • Supports legislation to protect and expand national parks and conservation areas, better plan road construction and timber cutting.
  • Cosponsors a resolution to nullify changes to the "Endangered Species Act" and restore reviews of federal projects to ensure endangered wildlife are protected.