Environment

When I was growing up in Central Maine, I remember kids needing a tetanus shot if we fell in the Kennebec River. Since then, we have made great progress cleaning up our environment and we must continue to build upon our successes.

A significant portion of Maine’s economy relies upon Maine’s great outdoors. We must protect those jobs and our way of life. Below is a list of actions I have taken as your Congressman to protect our environment.

No Oil Drilling in Maine:

I am opposed to oil drilling off the coast of Maine. As the lead Republican, I joined the other members of the New England delegation to introduce a bill, the New England Coastal Protection Act, to officially prevent oil and gas exploration off the coast of the New England states. 

Climate Change Study:

The Department of Defense (DOD) must be prepared for the effects of climate change on our Nation’s defenses. I voted in support of requiring the DOD to conduct a climate change study to determine the most at risk U.S. military bases to climate change.

Paris Climate Agreement:

I believe the United States must remain in a leadership role and be at the table for discussions that shape and influence global climate policy.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Funding:

I strongly opposed the cuts to the EPA’s budget in the President’s 2018 budget request, especially for critical hazardous waste cleanup services like Superfund and Brownfields programs. I gave a speech on the House Floor in favor of these programs, which provide funding to clean up and revitalize old buildings, mills, and other industrial sites and give them new life as sports fields, health facilities, and housing.  In addition, I voted against the potential closure of EPA regional offices.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Funding:

I am a supporter of NOAA and of ensuring that their regional partners, such as the University of Maine, have the resources to continue researching and studying oceanic activity. In addition, I joined a dozen officials for a tour of NOAA’s regional buoy and ocean observation equipment systems.

Clean Drinking Water:

I urged Congressional leadership to double the funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Maine has one of the oldest water infrastructure system in the county. It is critical we maintain and upgrade our water supply system, especially considering the recent water crises in Flint Michigan.

Air Quality:

I support clean air and have voted multiple times in favor of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). We have come a long way in Maine and made significant improvements in the quality of our air. We should continue to move forward, not backward.

Ocean Acidification:

The threat of ocean acidification could have enormous implications for our lobster, aquaculture, and other marine industries. I am a cosponsor of the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2017 to study ocean acidification’s impact on coastal communities and prepare for possible consequences.

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF):

The LWCF assures that public lands are secured for hiking, hunting, fishing, and other recreational access. The LWCF also protects national parks, national wildlife refuges, and national forests. I have always voted in favor of LWCF and urged full funding every year in the budget process.

Stream Protection Act:

I voted against H.J. Res 38, which disapproved of the Steam Protection Rule. This rule was put in place to address the impact of coal mining on U.S. water resources. We must make certain we continue to protect our rivers and our environment.

Congressional Environmental Caucuses:

I am a proud member of the Congressional Oceans Caucus, the Estuary Caucus, and the International Conservation Caucus.