2016 Vice Presidential prospects: on Environment


Tim Kaine: 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

Eric Garcetti: No-sunset transportation sales tax to fund Los Angeles Metro

Traffic-fatigued Los Angeles County residents have long envied the cohesive transit available in the Bay Area. But that system offers warning signs too: Bay Area Rapid Transit has been hit by delays and damaged train cars and now needs a ballot measure to pass just so it can repair its aging stations.

Here in Los Angeles County, as we continue expanding the Metro system, we don't want to wind up like BART, which found the funds to build lines--but not to maintain them. Metro needs a dedicated source of operating revenue to keep our trains moving.

That is a key reason why I will vote today as a member of the Metro Board of Directors to place the Los Angeles Traffic Improvement Plan on the November ballot--funded by a "no sunset" transportation sales tax.

Source: 2016 Veepstakes: Eric Garcetti OpEd in Los Angeles Times Jun 23, 2016

Bill Weld: Favored EPA's electric car mandate and stricter smog limits

Weld was a supporter of stricter environmental regulations being promulgated by the EPA. In 1997 he joined Governor Whitman of New Jersey in pushing the EPA to establish "stricter limits on smog." In 1994 Weld led his administration in pushing for the EPA to require an electric car mandate. The New York Times reported: In Massachusetts, the Environmental Affairs Secretary,
Source: Conservative Review, "5 Statist Positions": 2016 Veepstakes May 19, 2016

Bill Weld: Favored EPA's electric car mandate and stricter smog limits

Weld was a supporter of stricter environmental regulations being promulgated by the EPA. In 1997 he joined Governor Whitman of New Jersey in pushing the EPA to establish "stricter limits on smog." In 1994 Weld led his administration in pushing for the EPA to require an electric car mandate. The New York Times reported: In Massachusetts, the Environmental Affairs Secretary, Trudy Coxe, said that the state Legislature adopted the California plan and that the measure was signed by then -- Gov. Michael S. Dukakis. Gov. William F. Weld, a Republican, supports the program, she said. Among the stipulations that New York and Massachusetts agreed to is a requirement that 2 percent of the cars offered for sale in the 1998 model year be electric.
Source: Conservative Review, "5 Statist Positions": 2016 Veepstakes May 19, 2016

Tom Vilsack: Cut food waste in half by 2030

In 2011, the European Commission established the goal of cutting edible food waste in the EU in half by 2020. The US is behind the EU but not by much. In September of last year, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack joined with the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy and the Obama Administration by announcing the first-ever food reduction goal--cutting food waste in half by 2030. The United States is joining other global leaders in vowing to reduce food waste.

These steps by regulators are in important piece of the puzzle, but consumers have an important role to play in this global problem. Will a new Ad Council campaign, "Save the Food," help shift perspectives? Will the national goal set by the federal government's top health and environmental agencies motivate consumers? Do consumers need clear directions from policymakers and legislation (also known as landfill bans, municipal composting requirements, date labeling standardization) to force change?

Source: 2016 Veepstakes: Huffington Post, "Reducing Food Waste" May 9, 2016

  • The above quotations are from Vice Presidential possibilities for 2016.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Environment.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Julian Castro on Environment.
  • Click here for more quotes by Thomas Perez on Environment.
2020 Presidential contenders on Environment:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Nov 30, 2021