State of Vermont Archives: on Environment
Patrick Leahy:
Opposed drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
He is one of the Senate's leading advocates of forest conservation, clean water and clean air policies, and sound environmental stewardship. He opposed the Keystone pipeline, has fought Republican efforts to open the pristine Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge in Alaska to oil drilling, and has supported efforts to drill in the Missisquoi Wildlife Refuge in Vermont. He has worked to protect and enlarge the Green Mountain National Forest.
Source: 2021 Vermont Senate campaign website LeahyForVermont.com
Jun 22, 2021
David Zuckerman:
Supports government regulation of greenhouse-gas emissions
Q: Tighten or loosen environmental regulations?David Zuckerman: Tighten. Supports government regulation of greenhouse-gas emissions.
Phil Scott: Unclear. Opposed Trump administration's replacement for the Clean Power Plan. "This is simply the wrong approach."
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
Rebecca Holcombe:
Protect working lands, ensure food security
Our environment and landscape defines us and supports our economy. I will:- Work proactively to protect and restore the quality of our water, soils, and forests at a rate
that returns them to cleaner days of the past.
- Protect our working lands that keep us healthy and ensure our food security.
Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com
Mar 26, 2020
Rebecca Holcombe:
Restore quality of water, soils, forests to cleaner days
Our environment and landscape defines us and supports our economy.
I will work proactively to protect and restore the quality of our water, soils, and forests at a rate that returns them to cleaner days of the past, protect our working lands that keep us healthy and ensure our food security.
Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com
Jan 23, 2020
David Zuckerman:
Led legislation for GMO food labelling
Mirroring Bernie Sanders, Zuckerman has championed a $15 minimum wage, instituting a wealth tax on Vermont's richest residents, legalizing marijuana, and taking strong action on climate change.
While in the Legislature, he spearheaded legislation that made Vermont the first state in the nation to require food manufacturers to label products containing genetically modified ingredients.
Source: Vermont Digger on Vermont Legislative Voting Record
Jan 13, 2020
Phil Scott:
Ease regulations: flexibility for forestry & farms
Let's create flexibility for our forestry businesses, working lands and trail networks. Let's simplify construction approval in rural industrial parks and reduce their fees. Let's help farms create new revenue from tourism and on-site businesses.
Let's get the most mileage from our transportation dollars by exempting projects that have environmental protections already built in.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Vermont legislature
Jan 24, 2019
David Zuckerman:
Supports sustainable agriculture & diversified farms
Having served in the Vermont House for 14 years, I know firsthand how to get things done. I was a leader on many pieces of legislation during that time including; marriage equality, sustainable agriculture, raising the minimum wage, universal healthcare
, affordable housing, marijuana reforms, renewable energy and others.While serving in the House I garnered respect from across the aisles. Democratic Speaker Gaye Symington appointed me as the Chair of Agriculture for 4 years and during that time we
improved water quality, economic opportunities for diversified farms, and worked towards long term stability for Vermont's dairy farmers.
As a small business owner, I understand the challenges of meeting payroll
obligations, producing product and selling it. My wife and I operate an organic vegetable and meat farm with 25 acres in vegetables, 1000 chickens and 25 pigs.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Nov 1, 2018
Christine Hallquist:
Advocate of environmental protections and mass transit
Protect Vermont's natural environment and waterways with established goals--this is also an economic development issue. Address the realities of climate change through cost effective investment and with economic justice informed decision making.
Create an integrated transportation authority to oversee the building of a modern state transportation system and encourage more economical and environmentally friendly mass transit options.
Source: 2018 VT governor Campaign website ChristineForVermont.com
Sep 1, 2018
Brooke Paige:
Fund program for fertilizer runoff to reduce water pollution
Brief Outline of the Issues: Agriculture and Farming- Continue Support for "Vermont Made" and "Farm-to-Table" promotion efforts.
- Amend Inheritance Tax Law to provide exemptions for closely held and family owned farms and businesses.
- Continue Property Tax Relief for Vermont Farmers through the land use program.
- Encourage and Support Farm Education Programs through youth groups including Future Farmers of America and 4-H Clubs.
- Provide Financial Support to Improve Control of Fertilizer Run-off to Reduce and Eliminate Water Pollution.
Source: 2018 Vermont Senate campaign website BrookePaige.us
Aug 14, 2018
Brooke Paige:
Farmers are unfairly blamed for fertilizer pollution
On water quality issues, Lawrence Zupan said new farming technologies such as "precision injection fertilizer" which would allow phosphates to stay on the farmland and out of
the lakes. "That means that the farmers can now focus the exact amount in the exact location at the exact time the fertilizer for the exact crop," he said.
Brook Paige offered a different take, claiming that farmers are being unfairly blamed for phosphorus in the Lake. "Unfortunately, the news media and the advocates have all pointed to the farmer,
as if the farmers' biggest desire is to pour the valuable phosphates that are supposed to feed his crops into the river and allow his topsoil, his big investment, go the same way."
Source: True North Reports on 2018 Vermont Senate debates
Jul 27, 2018
Lawrence Zupan:
New farming technologies improve water quality
On water quality issues, Lawrence Zupan said new farming technologies such as "precision injection fertilizer" which would allow phosphates to stay on the farmland and out of
the lakes. "That means that the farmers can now focus the exact amount in the exact location at the exact time the fertilizer for the exact crop," he said.
Brook Paige offered a different take, claiming that farmers are being unfairly blamed for phosphorus in the Lake. "Unfortunately, the news media and the advocates have all pointed to the farmer,
as if the farmers' biggest desire is to pour the valuable phosphates that are supposed to feed his crops into the river and allow his topsoil, his big investment, go the same way."
Source: True North Reports on 2018 Vermont Senate debates
Jul 27, 2018
Phil Scott:
$50M for clean-up of our impaired waterways
If there is one thing Vermonters agree on, it is love of our landscape. Whether you hunt, fish, ski or hike, our landscape contributes to our high quality of life. It plays a significant role in the $2.5 billion spent annually by tourists and vacation
homeowners.To further protect this working landscape, my budget makes investments to support our Agencies of Agriculture and Natural Resources, plus important partner organizations.
Protecting our lakes, streams and landscape is vital to our
economic security. That's why I am committed to cleaning up our waterways, using existing state resources and financial tools.
My capital and transportation budgets commit $20 million in each of the next two years
for clean-up of our impaired waterways. I will commit another $10 million from existing revenue and other sources, for the full $50 million in funding.
Source: 2017 Vermont State of the State address
Jan 25, 2017
Scott Milne:
Lake Champlain is a natural treasure we must preserve
I made a campaign promise to earmark $6 million a year for Lake Champlain clean-up with no new taxes. This is a good place to start. I look forward to working with law-makers on all ideas to address this problem. Goals:- Catalyze the cleanup of
Lake Champlain without raising new revenue.
- Amend the "Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund Act" to allocate the part of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board's funds used for conservation to cleaning up Lake Champlain.
Lake Champlain is a natural treasure we must preserve. Vermonters rely on the Lake not only for drinking water, but for recreation, tourism dollars, property values, and agriculture. Cleanup is not just an environmental issue. Our economic, social,
and bodily well-being are at risk. From Abenaki times to present day, Vermonters have relied on the Lake. The first European explorers came to Vermont through her. A piece of our heritage is suffering before our eyes.
Source: 2016 Vermont Senate campaign website ScottMilne.org
Aug 8, 2016
Sue Minter:
Protect our state's waters, farmland, and forests
Vermont's economic prosperity, our public health, and our quality of life all depend upon a clean environment. I will continue Vermont's tradition and legacy of environmental protection and leadership.Clean Water: Vermont has made great strides in
protecting our state's waters, including our beloved Lake Champlain, but we still have much work to do. I will continue to invest in our clean water infrastructure in order to protect our drinking water & clean up our lakes, and will improve storm water
management and wastewater treatment systems.
Forest and Farmland: Our forests are home to an amazing diversity of wildlife, serve as the source of our clear streams and rivers, provide a critical source of heat and food, and support vibrant recreation
and economy. Our farms are the backbone of our agricultural economy. I will work to protect Vermont's forests and agricultural lands to ensure that these assets will continue to support future generations of wildlife, farmers and visitors.
Source: 2016 Vermont gubernatorial campaign website SueMinter.com
May 25, 2016
Bruce Lisman:
Restore our lakes and protect our ridgelines
I will work to restore our lakes and protect our ridgelines. And when evaluating any new policy, I will weigh its impact on our environment and on the ability of
Vermonters to continue to access the recreational and economic benefits of a healthy environment.
Source: 2016 gubernatorial campaign website, LismanForVermont.com
Mar 6, 2016
Peter Shumlin:
VT should divest from coal and ExxonMobil
California recently passed a bill to divest state funds from dirty coal, and explore divesting from Big Oil. Our small state must partner with California, which manages hundreds of billions of dollars of state funds, and divest Vermont of coal.
While we await the California study on oil, Vermont should not wait to rid ourselves of ExxonMobil stock.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Vermont legislature
Jan 7, 2016
Sue Minter:
Led efforts in Climate Preparedness & catastrophic flooding
Where Sue sees challenges, she also sees potential. This quality has led to her success as Vermont's Secretary of Transportation, Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Irene Recovery Officer, and as a State Representative.Sue helped lead Vermont's
recovery in the wake of catastrophic flooding from Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. Following her oversight of the successful rebuilding of over 500 miles of damaged roads and bridges in less than four months,
Sue was appointed to be Vermont's Chief Irene Recovery Officer in December 2011.
Sue's skills have been sought out nationally. She was asked to help Colorado with its disaster recovery when that state was hit with extreme flooding in
September 2013. In 2014, she represented Governor Shumlin on the White House Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, where she co-chaired the Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery and Resilience.
Source: 2016 Vermont Gubernatorial campaign website, SueMinter.com
Dec 10, 2015
Shap Smith:
Our waterways are under threat from decades of pollution
House Speaker Shap Smith offered this statement on the House's progress to advance H.35, a comprehensive water quality bill: "Vermont's waters are critical to its economy and quality of life. Our waterways are currently under threat from decades of
pollution. I am pleased that the House voted to advance a comprehensive effort to address this challenge. By taking this step toward action, the Vermont House has sent a clear signal that it is committed to cleaning up our rivers and lakes."
Source: 2016 gubernatorial press release via speaker.vermont.gov
Apr 1, 2015
David Zuckerman:
Led the effort to require GMO labeling
Q: Do you support state funding for open space preservation?Yes.
Q: Do you support funding for improvements to Vermont's energy infrastructure?
Yes.
Q: Do you support requiring labels on foods that have been genetically engineered or contain
genetically modified ingredients?
Yes. Zuckerman adds, "I led the effort to require GMO labeling and have been a leader in our transformation of our marijuana laws for many years. I plan to work towards regulation and taxation in the coming biennium."
Source: Vote Smart Vermont State 2014 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2014
Phil Scott:
Support local agriculture; they're stewards of our land
I would continue to support and develop more robust and self-sustaining agricultural sectors that promote emerging agricultural industries and work to ensure that the policies and programs of the State will support and promote the
Vermont agriculture industry as a vital component of the State's economy and essential steward of our land.
I would continue to work to increase economic development in Vermont's food and farm sector, create jobs in the food and farm economy and improve access to healthy local foods.
I would also work as I have in the past to market the Vermont brand both outside of Vermont and internally.
Source: NE Organic Farming Assoc. on 2016 Vermont gubernatorial race
Nov 1, 2012
Phil Scott:
Reduce chemicals in consumer goods, when evidence warrants
I believe we can all agree with efforts to reduce harmful chemicals in consumer goods. I believe it's important to have good
scientific evidence of harmful health effects before mandating costly changes to production lines, but if the evidence is there, there is no question that the cost and the inconvenience is well worth it to protect our health.
Source: Planned Parenthood survey on 2016 Vermont gubernatorial race
Mar 15, 2012
Peter Shumlin:
Clean up Lake Champlain: federal waivers & local flexibility
A clean Lake Champlain is critical to our quality of life and our attractiveness to tourists, anglers, boaters and birders who share our love of our lake. Although we protect our great lake with Quebec and New York, much of the water runs through our
state, and its cleanliness is as crucial to our economic vitality as it is to our culture and our health. Lake Champlain provides drinking water for more than 200,000 people, while the state's reputation for environmental quality and lake stewardship
reflects upon all of us. We must make faster progress in cleaning up the lake. I will work together with our Congressional delegation and President Obama to seek waivers that will enable us to place federal dollars in a central pool that would give our
communities and farmers the flexibility to maximize our efforts and get results. The time for talk is over; we must clean up Lake Champlain.
Source: 2011 Vermont State of the State Address
Jan 25, 2011
Matt Dunne:
Supports open space preservation & brownfield cleanup
Q: Do you support state funding for open space preservation?A: Yes.
Q: Should state environmental regulations be stricter than federal law?
A: Yes.
Dunne would use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused or abandoned.
Source: Vermont Congressional 2002 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2002
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021