State of Arizona Archives: on Environment


Andy Biggs: Rein in bureaucratic rule-making that devastates economy

Source: 2016 Arizona House campaign website BiggsForCongress.com Nov 8, 2016

Blake Masters: Man is called to fill the earth and subdue it

The Left takes an anti-human view, pitting a fictional pristine "environment" against civilization. Actually, man is called to fill the earth and subdue it. We should wisely use our natural resources for our own long-term benefit. Let's get past substanceless slogans ("Believe in Science!") and talk about the concrete goals all Americans can get behind: reducing pollution, expanding natural protected lands, and being smart with our scarce resources.
Source: 2021 Arizona Senate campaign website BlakeMasters.com Jul 19, 2021

Deedra Abboud: Government protection needed to preserve nature

The destruction of ecosystems, fires, explosions, air pollution, lung problems, toxic groundwater, and contaminated faucet water affects us all. Americans should not have to wonder if the food they are going to eat or the water they are going to drink, is going to poison them.

Private enterprise is not designed to self-regulate for the betterment of society; it is designed to make money for its owners. Protecting the environment is more important now more than ever.

Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Jul 17, 2017

Deedra Abboud: Environment needs protection from corporations

The destruction of ecosystems, fires, explosions, air pollution, lung problems, toxic groundwater, and contaminated faucet water affects us all. Americans should not have to wonder if the food they are going to eat or the water they are going to drink, is going to poison them. Private enterprise is not designed to self-regulate for the betterment of society; it is designed to make money for its owners. Protecting the environment is more important now more than ever.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

Deedra Abboud: EPA protections needed for holding polluters accountable

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Fight EPA regulatory over-reach"?

A: Support for unnecessary regulations but EPA protections are necessary because companies who pollute the environment must be held accountable.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

Doug Ducey: Keep decisions in hands of Arizonans, not EPA bureaucrats

State Rep. Bob Thorpe [endorses]: "Doug Ducey exhibits the no-nonsense leadership Arizona needs today. As both a successful businessman and state treasurer, Doug has demonstrated proven capabilities, earning my respect and support. As governor, Doug and the state legislature will work to ensure that Arizona job creation, education, health care and environmental protections are in the hands of Arizonans, not east coast Obama bureaucrats. For a successful Arizona, we need Doug Ducey as our next governor."
Source: 2014 Arizona gubernatorial campaign website, DougDucey.com Aug 30, 2014

Doug Ducey: 19-year drought: protect Lake Mead and Colorado River

The issues we need to tackle aren't partisan ones. In some cases, they aren't even political. At the top of that list: securing our water future. Now stay with me--this is not an issue that leads the news. It doesn't make for a snappy headline, or a provocative soundbite, and it can't be explained in 280 characters. But as I traveled the state this year, it's one of the issues I was asked about most by real people--especially in rural Arizona. It's an issue that deserves your focus and attention. Which is why it's first on my list.

Here's the bottom line: We're in a 19-year drought. It's going to get worse before it gets better. Arizona and our neighboring states draw more water from the Colorado River than Mother Nature puts back. It's time to protect Lake Mead. It's time to ratify the Drought Contingency Plan. Doing so will require compromise. No one stakeholder is going to get everything they want. This issue is important and it's urgent. Our economy. Our environment. Our future.

Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Arizona legislature Jan 14, 2019

Doug Ducey: Turn Arizona into international capital for water technology

Last year we came together and passed the Drought Contingency Plan. It was the most significant water policy in 40 years. But we shouldn't be dealing with this issue one generation at a time. We need a strategic ongoing effort to turn Arizona into the international capital for water technology. Look at all that Israel has done. Why not Arizona? We've been a leader on water, and with this approach, we will continue to be an even stronger leader far into the future.
Source: 2020 Arizona State of the State address Jan 13, 2020

Doug Ducey: $1 billion for desalination, securing Arizona's water future

With resources available in our budget, a relationship with Mexico that we've built and strengthened over the last seven years, and the need clear--what better place to invest more? Instead of just talking about desalination--the technology that made Israel the world's water superpower--how about we pave the way to make it actually happen? So we propose that we make a historic investment: $1 billion. Our goal: Secure Arizona's water future for the next 100 years.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature Jan 10, 2022

Doug Marks: EPA is useless; I worked in that industry

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Fight EPA regulatory over-reach"?

A: Absolutely, EPA is useless and has added more to local pollution than most know. I worked in that industry for 12 years.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

Fred DuVal: Preserve and promote state parks

Arizona has 31 beautiful state parks offering unmatched opportunities such as hiking, hunting, camping, fishing, and historical experiences all year round; but instead of capitalizing on this natural advantage, our lawmakers have cut funding for state parks, putting them under financial strain and making them less accessible to tourists. We must reverse this course, preserve parks, and promote them to Arizonans and tourists alike to build up tourism and the jobs that come with it
Source: 2014 Arizona gubernatorial campaign website, Fred2014.com Jul 2, 2014

Jan Brewer: Negotiated to put thousands of acres into county parks

During her chairmanship at Maricopa County, Brewer negotiated large land conservation deals that added thousands of acres of pristine land into county parks and away from development, and improved and expanded the Maricopa Medical Center's Burn Unit which stands today as one of the pre-eminent health care facilities in the nation.
Source: Arizona Secretary of State website Dec 3, 2008

Jan Brewer: Natural Resources Review Council: AZ knows BEST, not Feds

When it comes to management of our precious natural resources, I'd like Arizona to set its own course as much as possible. Today, I've issued an Executive Order establishing the Arizona Natural Resources Review Council. This Council is tasked with creating a plan to help protect and maintain the values of multiple use, sustained yield, public access and economic development on federal lands. I am calling on local governments and the private sector to join with the State to meet this long term vision.

More than 30 million acres across our state are ALREADY under federal control. The Council's plan will be one way we can protect Arizona's interests on federal lands. Arizona knows BEST how to manage her own land and natural resources.

Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Arizona Legislature Jan 14, 2013

Janet Napolitano: Bring together all stake-holders in forest management

In 2003 state government, firefighters, and local communities came together as never before to confront the quiet catastrophe of dry, overfueled forests. I convened a forest health summit in Prescott to bring together all stakeholders - including those who normally share no common ground in forest management. In addition, I directed that prison inmate crews work alongside local contractors to build fuel breaks and clear evacuation corridors around communities like Pine, Strawberry and Flagstaff.
Source: 2004 State of the State speech to Arizona Legislature Jan 12, 2004

Janet Napolitano: Limit our greenhouse gas emissions & focus on solar energy

Arizona must also stay on the path toward greener future. We must continue to implement forest health measures that create new industries and protect our forested communities. We also must work to limit our greenhouse gas emissions through the Western Climate Initiative, and move forward in building a strong renewable energy sector, particularly with respect to solar energy. The entire nation is going in this direction--and Arizona has much to gain by being a leader.
Source: Arizona 2009 State of the State Address Jan 12, 2009

Jeff Flake: Water is the lifeblood of AZ; and CA is the biggest threat

Addressing what they would do to protect Arizona water rights, Flake said he would fight hard to make sure water--"the lifeblood of Arizona"--doesn't go to the biggest threat, California.

Carmona agreed on the need to fight for the state's water rights but blasted Flake for his support of uranium mining in the watershed area of the Arizona Strip, north of the Grand Canyon, which Carmona claims would contaminate water.

Source: Yuma Sun on 2012 Arizona "Rural Issues" Senate debate Oct 25, 2012

Jeff Flake: Uranium mining OK; it won't threaten Grand Canyon

Addressing what they would do to protect Arizona water rights, Carmona agreed with Flake on the need to fight for the state's water rights but blasted Flake for his support of uranium mining in the watershed area of the Arizona Strip, north of the Grand Canyon, which Carmona claims would contaminate water.

Flake countered that the mining would not threaten the Grand Canyon and said he is trying to protect a bipartisan agreement and the area's economic development.

Source: Yuma Sun on 2012 Arizona "Rural Issues" Senate debate Oct 25, 2012

Jeff Flake: Skeptical on Proposition 120; cooperate with Forest Service

Questioned on their views of Proposition 120, which would declare the state's sovereignty over its public lands and all natural resources, Flake admitted he had not yet studied the proposition closely but that he was "skeptical." However, Flake called for more cooperation between the federal government and the state. "What we desperately need more is cooperation with the Forest Service and other federal agencies or our forests will go up in smoke," Flake said.
Source: Yuma Sun on 2012 Arizona "Rural Issues" Senate debate Oct 25, 2012

Kelli Ward: Rated 5% by Sierra Club for anti-environment policies

Group ratings on environmental issues: "The Sierra Club mission is to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives."

"Humane Voters of Arizona (HVA) is an all volunteer, non-partisan organization that supports candidates that care about issues affecting animals. The most crucial step in enacting animal protection laws is by electing humane-minded legislators."

Source: Project Vote-Smart group ratings on 2016 Arizona Senate race Jul 27, 2015

Mark Kelly: Protect Grand Canyon from uranium mining

I'll never forget seeing our planet from orbit on my first trip to space--it gave me the sense that we are all in this together and an understanding of how fragile our atmosphere really is. Arizona is a beautiful state, full of treasures that we must protect for future generations. On this 50th Earth Day, we have an obligation to continue working to protect and preserve our environment, including protecting our greatest treasure--the Grand Canyon--from uranium mining."
Source: 2020 Arizona Senate campaign website MarkKelly.com Apr 22, 2020

Mark Kelly: Weakening standards have been unequivocal disaster

Q: Tighten or loosen environmental regulations?

Mark Kelly: Tighten. Calls loosening of regulations on power plants, drilling, and auto efficiency "an unequivocal disaster" for the planet.

Martha McSally: Loosen. Led an effort in Congress to "rein in . overreaching EPA regulations" on water quality, carbon emissions, and ozone.

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Arizona Senate race Oct 10, 2020

Martha McSally: Companies developing resources should be good stewards

[We should make] the best use of our natural resources in a responsible manner. Nobody wants to drink polluted water or breathe bad air. I am an avid mountain climber and adventurer, and I know as well as anyone the value of our natural landscapes. So while we need to make our natural resources available to Americans for generations to come, we also have to ensure that the companies and individuals entrusted with developing those resources are good stewards of the land and environment in the process.
Source: 2014 Arizona House campaign website McSallyForCongress.com Nov 1, 2014

Martha McSally: EPA rule costs jobs and hurts poor

The EPA's proposed energy rule would have eliminated hundreds of high-wage jobs in Southern Arizona, driven up energy rates, and resulted in dangerous energy reliability issues, hitting rural and poorest residents the hardest. Since that proposal, I've worked with Southern Arizona's rural energy and community stakeholders to persistently advocate for flexibility in meeting these rules and for changes that will avoid these devastating impacts.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website mcsally.house.gov Aug 3, 2015

Martha McSally: Led fight to rein in overreaching EPA regulations

Q: Tighten or loosen environmental regulations?

Martha McSally: Loosen. Led an effort in Congress to "rein in overreaching EPA regulations" on water quality, carbon emissions, and ozone.

Mark Kelly: Tighten. Calls loosening of regulations on power plants, drilling, and auto efficiency "an unequivocal disaster" for the planet.

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Arizona Senate race Oct 10, 2020

Matt Salmon: Opposed hazardous waste disposal study

Arizona Memory Project summary of HB2121, Jan. 12, 1993
    HB 2121 directed the Committee to perform the following tasks:
  1. Evaluate the results of a scientific study prepared by a scientific advisory panel regarding hazardous waste treatment and disposal technologies;
  2. Determine the potential reduction in the amount of hazardous waste generated in Arizona that could result from the application of pollution prevention and waste minimization techniques; and
  3. Compare the total amount of hazardous waste generated in Arizona with the amount likely to be incinerated.

Legislative Summary:Passed Senate 18-12-0 on May/15/91; State Sen. Matt Salmon voted NO.

Source: Arizona Memory Project on Arizona voting record HB2121 Jan 12, 1993

Richard Carmona: No uranium mining in Arizona Strip watershed area

Addressing what they would do to protect Arizona water rights, Carmona agreed with Flake on the need to fight for the state's water rights but blasted Flake for his support of uranium mining in the watershed area of the Arizona Strip, north of the Grand Canyon, which Carmona claims would contaminate water.

Flake countered that the mining would not threaten the Grand Canyon and said he is trying to protect a bipartisan agreement and the area's economic development.

Source: Yuma Sun on 2012 Arizona "Rural Issues" Senate debate Oct 25, 2012

Ruben Gallego: Rosemont Mine has devastating environmental impact

In Arizona, one of the biggest tests of our commitment to conservation is the proposed Rosemont Mine in the Santa Rita Mountains southeast of Tucson. I understand the importance of mining in Arizona, and--where it makes sense--will be supportive of mining projects that bring jobs and sustainable economic development. But I have not yet seen a strong enough justification to build this mine, and the estimated environmental impact will be devastating.
Source: 2014 Arizona House campaign website, GallegoForArizona.com May 31, 2014

Tom O`Halleran: Fund stewardship of our parks and forests

Arizona has beautiful national parks and forests. For too long now, though, Congress has insufficiently funded the agencies that are the stewards of the lands meant to benefit all Americans. Congress needs to provide appropriate resources to these agencies. This should be designed to stimulate local economies to thrive with jobs for those who live there.

In addition to creating jobs and increasing tourism revenue, properly funding parks and forests reduces wildfire risks, helps protect natural resources, allows for better forest management, and makes better use of our water resources. Better water management further reduces risks posed by the state's current drought. Finally, proper funding of parks and forests improves the quality of life for Arizonans and visitors alike, increases our recreation opportunities, and provides better habitat for wildlife.

Source: 2016 Arizona House campaign website TomOHalleran.com Nov 8, 2016

Katie Hobbs: I plan to tackle our water issues openly and directly

In the next few minutes you will receive a previously unreleased report by the Arizona Department of Water Resources that shows that portions of Phoenix's far West Valley are currently short of the 100-year Assured Water Supply Program by 15% today. This report unequivocally shows that we have to act now, or this will only be the first new area that faces this kind of shortage. I don't understand, and do not in any way agree with, my predecessor choosing to keep this report from the public and from members of this legislature. However, my decision to release this report signals how I plan to tackle our water issues openly and directly.

[Note: The federally-funded Central Arizona Project conveys water about 190 miles from the Colorado River on the Arizona-California border through a system of canals to Phoenix & Tucson (phoenix.gov); the "Assured Water Supply Program" includes diverting Colorado River water which would otherwise have reached California and Mexico].

Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature Jan 9, 2023

  • The above quotations are from State of Arizona Politicians: Archives.
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2016 Presidential contenders on Environment:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI)
Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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