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Tim Kaine on Environment
Democratic Senate Challenger; previously Governor
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Don't require GMO labels for genetically-engineered food
Q: Should producers be required to label genetically engineered foods (GMOs)?Tim Kaine's answer: No
Mike Pence has not answered this question yet.
Evan McMullin's answer: No
Source: iSideWith.com analysis of 2016 presidential hopefuls
, Nov 1, 2016
We must protect resources like oyster reefs and clean water
Public policy functions best when it treats this planet not just as a trove of resources to tap until exhausted, but as a sacred responsibility. In May of 2015, I joined the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for a service project focused on oyster reef
restoration. The healthier an oyster population is, the cleaner the water source will be. I also strongly support reauthorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has supported over a quarter of a billion dollars in conservation in Virginia.
Source: Kaine's Senate office website, during 2016 Veepstakes
, Jul 22, 2016
A clean environment and a strong economy need not contradict
In his remarks at a rare all-night session of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, Kaine discussed the urgent need for Congress to act on curbing emissions and investing in innovative and clean energy solutions. "The solution to climate change is
American innovation," Kaine said. "We have to get beyond the idea that we need to choose between a clean environment and a strong economy. We all want cleaner air and water. We all want jobs. They don't have to contradict each other."
Source: Kaine's Senate office press release, "American innovation"
, Mar 11, 2014
Always work to protect our air, water and land
Tim is an avid outdoorsman who will always work to protect our air, water and land. In the Senate, Tim has been a strong supporter of efforts to reduce the carbon pollution responsible for climate change and ensure our energy production is cleaner
tomorrow than it is today. From his opposition to the Keystone pipeline to his support for the President's historic Clean Power Plan, Tim has advocated policies that will protect our planet and strengthen our economy.
He has become a leader on the issue of combating sea level rise, which is already impacting our defense community and Virginians' daily lives through flooded roads and skyrocketing flood insurance costs. Despite the unfortunate partisanship on climate
change issues, Tim was able to break through the gridlock and organize a forum on sea level rise with Democratic and Republican members of Congress and local leaders alongside scientists at Old Dominion University in Norfolk.
Source: Virginia 2012 Senate campaign website KaineForVA.com
, Feb 29, 2012
Save animal lives with anti-freeze poisoning prevention bill
Kaine has signed a bill that will save countless animal lives and prevent childhood emergencies. The new law requires that an aversive agent be added to antifreeze products sold in the Commonwealth. "Tragic cases of poisoning occur when antifreeze is
inadvertently spilled in driveways or left in open containers in garages," said the director of the Humane Society. "Virginia now joins the seven other states that have passed similar antifreeze legislation promoting animal protection and public safety."
Source: Humane Society press release
, Mar 31, 2009
Comprehensive study of mercury's effect on environment
Kaine announced that Virginia has launched its first-ever comprehensive study of mercury's effects on the Commonwealth's environment. The $256,000 study, funded at the Governor's direction with an appropriation from the Environmental Emergency Response
Fund, is expected to draw on existing data and research to evaluate possible methods to reduce the presence of mercury in the environment."Our understanding of mercury's effect on the environment is incomplete. We need more information on the steps
we should take to reduce mercury contamination," Kaine said. "We expect this study to provide the best possible information on how mercury affects Virginians and our natural resources."
Mercury has been shown to pose health risks, especially to develop
Source: Kaine Governor's office press release, "Mercury Study"
, Feb 19, 2007
Historic investments in water quality & open space
Together we've made historic investments in water quality and adjusted the state's conservation tax credit. As a result, Virginia is accelerating its efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, and we are well on our way to preserving 400,000 acres
of open space by the end of the decade.Together, we've embraced innovative management practices like the Council on Virginia's Future and the new Virginia Performs website.
As a result, we've cemented our reputation as the best managed state in America and continued to win accolades for our financial management and service to citizens.
Together, we changed the way we think about transportation and land use in Virginia.
Last year's traffic impact statement legislation was a turning point in connecting state transportation planning with local land use planning. As a result, we are beginning to make better decisions in managing Virginia's growth.
Source: 2007 State of the State address to Virginia Assembly
, Jan 10, 2007
Invest in ongoing work to clean up rivers & Chesapeake Bay
Virginia's citizens enjoy an impressive array of natural resources that we are bound to protect. In fact, Virginia's Constitution only mentions two of the many functional areas of government as mandatory. responsibilities--education and protection of
the environment. That commitment has never been more important. This year, we must make an historic investment in the ongoing work to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and to improve the quality of Virginia's rivers. The introduced budget contains a
$232 million allocation for water clean-up. Together with recently approved regulations concerning waste treatment plants, this investment will pay dividends in protection of future generations' ability to enjoy our waterways and have clean drinking
water. I will also submit a budget amendment to dedicate special revenue to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries that can be used for wildlife management, land conservation, recreation, and critical habitat protection.
Source: State of the State 2006 address to Virginia Assembly
, Jan 16, 2006
Voted YES on protecting ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems.
Whitehouse Amdt. No. 803 to S.Amdt. 799 to S. 601 (Water Resources Development Act of 2013): To create the National Endowment for the Oceans to promote the protection and conservation of United States ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems.Proponent's Argument for voting Yes: Mr. WHITEHOUSE: This measure was part of the RESTORE Act, [but] this piece of it fell out of the bargain. If you supported the RESTORE Act, you have already supported this bill. If you believe that deals should be deals in the Senate, then you should support this bill. It is very important that we as a body support this bill. It does not create a single extra bureaucracy or person. It works within the existing government, and it adds no funding.
MississippiRiverDelta.org Summary of RESTORE Act: The Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act (RESTORE Act) dedicates 80% of all
Clean Water Act penalties paid by those responsible for the 2010 gulf oil disaster to Gulf Coast restoration.
Proponent's press release supporting Yes vote: The National Endowment for the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes Act would provide steady funding that universities, non-profit organizations, and government agencies can count on every year to support research and restoration projects. It would be funded primarily by dedicating 12.5% of revenues from offshore energy development, including oil, gas, and renewable energy. Revenue is generated through offshore lease sales and production based royalty payments. Funds from the Endowment would be distributed through a competitive grant program to fund projects to restore habitat, manage fisheries, plan for sustainable coastal development, enhance ocean monitoring and research activities, acquire coastal properties for preservation, and relocate critical coastal infrastructure.
Reference: National Endowment for the Oceans;
Bill S.Amdt. 803
; vote number 13-SV116
on May 8, 2013
Page last updated: Nov 06, 2016