State of Missouri Archives: on Environment


Scott Sifton: Law practice focuses on environmental cleanup litigation

He graduated cum laude from Truman State University in 1996 and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School in 1999. He practices at OnderLaw, where he focuses on environmental cleanup litigation and fights to help recover taxpayer funds spent combating the opiate crisis.
Source: 2021 Missouri Senate campaign website ScottSifton.com Jun 29, 2021

Eric Greitens: Cut $500,000 in funding for state rail service from Amtrak

The state contracts with Amtrak to provide rail service, though lawmakers have for years short-changed the railway. In 2017, for example, former Gov. Eric Greitens cut $500,000 in funding for the service. The state also hasn't paid Amtrak its fair share of the bill since at least 2010 and owes an estimated $3 million.
Source: eMissourian.com on 2022 Missouri Senate race Mar 31, 2021

Claire McCaskill: Limit EPA farm regulations, but no EPA cuts

Q: Support cutbacks in Environmental Protection Administration?

Josh Hawley (R): Fought Obama EPA "overreach." Opposed EPA "Clean Power Plan."

Claire McCaskill (D): No, but opposed some EPA regulations affecting farmers.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Missouri Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Josh Hawley: Fought Obama EPA overreach

Q: Support cutbacks in Environmental Protection Administration?

Josh Hawley (R): Fought Obama EPA "overreach." Opposed EPA "Clean Power Plan."

Claire McCaskill (D): No, but opposed some EPA regulations affecting farmers.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Missouri Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Mike Parson: Right to farm & ranch, despite environmental critics

Two pieces of legislation Mr. Parson co-sponsored as a state lawmaker were an expansion of so-called Castle Doctrine and an amendment that added the right to farm and ranch to Missouri's Constitution. The amendment on farming states, "The right of farmers and ranchers to engage in farming and ranching practices shall be forever guaranteed in the state." Among its critics are environmental groups, which say the amendment made it harder to hold farmers to account for unsafe practices.
Source: N.Y. Times on 2018 Missouri Gubernatorial race May 29, 2018

Lester Turilli: EPA has grown too large

Q: Are EPA regulations too restrictive?

A: The original intent of the EPA was good, although this organization has grown too large. ˙The EPA has exceeded its capability of logical enforcement.˙ ˙ My family business is currently closed due to new EPA restrictions.˙ Their requirements do not correlate with OSHA or other regulatory bodies.˙ There is a serious dysfunction between governmental agencies that hurts property owners.˙ For further information on this topic, contact me personally.

Source: Email interview on 2016 Missouri candidacy by OnTheIssues Apr 25, 2016

Jason Kander: Protect our state's air & water for future generations

Missouri has 110,000 miles of flowing water and 88 state parks and historic sites that cover almost 150,000 acres, and Jason strongly believes it is our obligation to protect our state for future generations.

Jason wants his son to be able to grow up in a world with breathable air and drinkable water, and to be able to have the same trips to the Lake of the Ozarks that Jason's family took when he was growing up.

Source: 2016 Missouri Senate campaign website JasonKander.com Apr 14, 2016

Peter Kinder: The EPA should respect the limits set by Congress

"Under Pres. Obama's new rules, regulated waterways would have been significantly expanded to include almost any body of water--such as dry creek beds, ponds, puddles, even drainage ditches--where water flows when it rains," Kinder said. "This poorly drafted rule would extend EPA authority into new areas not authorized by Congress. I applaud the court for recognizing that such sweeping changes need to be the product or reasoned deliberation between all stakeholders, not fanciful executive fiats. The proposed Waters of the U.S. rule is a bad idea that will cripple the livelihood of Missouri farmers and ranchers and their ability to produce food. The EPA should respect the limits set by Congress. Protecting Missouri waterways must remain a state regulatory function, and the Missouri DNR should be prevented from implementing these oppressive regulations imposed on them by Washington." In a 2-1 ruling, the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit stopped enforcement of the Waters of the US rule.
Source: LtGov.mo.gov on 2016 Missouri gubernatorial race Oct 13, 2015

Eric Greitens: EPA overreach hurts family farms

FARMERS NEED A LEADER. I believe the federal overreach from agencies like the EPA is hurting family farms. I will fight against these crippling regulations, and always side with the hard working farmers of Missouri.
Source: 2016 Missouri Governor campaign website EricGreitens.com Oct 9, 2015

Chris Koster: Sue the EPA for over-expanding Clean Water Act

Koster has signed Missouri onto a lawsuit with 12 other states against the EPA over the agency's rule defining "waters of the United States." Koster's office says the new rule expands the scope of clean water regulations to lands without much water at all, and increases the federal government's authority to "control land use in Missouri."

"The EPA has exceeded their legal authority in defining what constitutes waterways," Koster said. "Thousands of acres of privately owned land in Missouri would suddenly be subject to federal water regulation. Missouri farmers will be particularly harmed by the federal government's restrictions on how their land can be used." Koster says the agencies' official definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) extends their authority to include "ponds, streams that flow only briefly during or after rainstorms, and channels that are usually dry." The definition also expands to floodplains, even if the plains are dry 99 years out of 100, Koster says.

Source: The Missouri Times on 2016 Missouri Gubernatorial race Jun 29, 2015

Jay Nixon: State Parks Youth Corps: employ kids in state parks

Like thousands of Missourians, I grew up hunting, fishing and canoeing with my Mom and Dad. At a time when it's been especially tough for young people to find jobs, the State Parks Youth Corps put money in the pockets of more than 1,000 young workers--at no cost to the state. The National Association of State Park Directors gave our State Parks Youth Corps its top award for innovation in 2010. And I'm pleased to report that the Youth Corps will put hundreds more kids to work in our parks this summer.
Source: 2011 Missouri State of the State Address Jan 19, 2011

Robin Carnahan: Brother's $107M wind project created 1000s of jobs statewide

Blunt pointed out that a wind-energy company headed by Carnahan's brother, Tom, had received a $107 million grant through the federal stimulus package. That money, Blunt said, created only 16 jobs. "Tell me if that's a good investment of money," Blunt said.

But Carnahan said the business created thousands of jobs around the state and accused Blunt of below-the-belt attacks. "I've got nothing to do with my brother's business," she said.

The federal government previously has provided tax incentives to boost renewable energy. The stimulus package offered cash payments instead of tax credits for wind-energy projects. The U.S. Treasury Department has said it had no discretion in deciding who qualified.

Source: Associated Press coverage of 2010 Missouri Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

Robin Carnahan: Brother's $107M wind project created 1000s of jobs statewide

Blunt pointed out that a wind-energy company headed by Carnahan's brother, Tom, had received a $107 million grant through the federal stimulus package. That money, Blunt said, created only 16 jobs. "Tell me if that's a good investment of money," Blunt said.

But Carnahan said the business created thousands of jobs around the state and accused Blunt of below-the-belt attacks. "I've got nothing to do with my brother's business," she said.

Source: Kansas City Star coverage of 2010 Missouri Senate debate Oct 15, 2010

Catherine Hanaway: Self-audits for pollution instead of federal regulation

Source: Missouri Legislative 1998 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

Catherine Hanaway: Self-audits and cost analyses instead of federal regulations

Source: Missouri Legislative 1998 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

  • The above quotations are from State of Missouri Politicians: Archives.
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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: Oct 13, 2021