State of Missouri Archives: on Environment
Catherine Hanaway:
Self-audits for pollution instead of federal regulation
Hanaway indicated support for the following principles regarding the environment:- Support "self-audit" legislation which creates incentives
for industries to audit themselves and clean up pollution.
- Require a cost/benefit analysis to determine the economic impact of proposed environmental regulations before they are implemented.
-
Require the state to fully compensate citizens when environmental regulations limit uses on privately owned land.
- Request added flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal environmental regulations.
-
State environmental regulations should not be stricter than federal law.
Source: Missouri Legislative 1998 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1998
Catherine Hanaway:
Self-audits and cost analyses instead of federal regulations
Hanaway indicates support of the following principles regarding environmental policy: -
Support `self-audit` legislation which creates incentives for industries to audit themselves & clean up pollution.
- Require a cost/benefit analysis to determine the economic impact of proposed environmental regulations before they are implemented.
-
Require the state to fully compensate citizens when environmental regulations limit uses on privately owned land.
- Request added flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal environmental regulations.
-
Should state environmental regulations should not be stricter than federal law?
A: Yes.
Source: Missouri Legislative 1998 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1998
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
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
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
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
Eric Schmitt:
Opposes EPA move to increase emissions standards
Schmitt is opposing the Environmental Protection Agency's use of "interim values" to regulate light-duty vehicle emission standards. "The Biden administration's attempts to impose massive federal regulations on Missouri's farmers, ranchers, and
manufacturers could have vast negative impacts. Now, the Environmental Protection Agency is attempting to use these 'interim values' to increase emissions standards," Schmitt said. "I will always fight back against the Biden administration's overreach."
Source: The Missouri Times on 2022 Missouri Senate race
Oct 1, 2021
Eric Schmitt:
Condemns EPA rule as "federal government land grab"
Schmitt in a letter to the Biden administration condemned the Environmental Protection Agency's "federal government land grab" over its decision to revise the Obama-era definition of "waters of the United States"
(WOTUS). "Missouri's farmers and ranchers have been tending to their land for generations. They don't need another federal government land grab threatening their livelihood and ability to make a living," Schmitt said.
Source: FOX News on 2022 Missouri Senate race
Oct 1, 2021
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Jay Ashcroft:
Government regulators' agenda would devastate our economy
Government regulators have sought an agenda that would devastate our economy by regulating every pond, river and ditch. They have sought to stop Missouri kids from pitching in on their family farms.
They have proposed energy regulations that would force utility prices to skyrocket. Worst of all, their agenda would kill tens of thousands of Missouri jobs. That is why we need common sense leader Scott Pruitt at the EPA.
Source: Springfield News-Leader on 2024 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Feb 17, 2017
Crystal Quade:
$150,000 to address 80 years of radioactive waste
Gov. Mike Parson rejected a call to schedule a special session to provide state funding to investigate areas of the state exposed to radioactive waste. "This issue was caused by the federal government and should be fixed by the federal government," said
a Parson spokesman. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade said lawmakers could take up the issue when they reconvene for their annual veto session. At issue is a law signed by Parson designed to address the presence of radioactive material left over
from the St. Louis region's role in creating the nuclear bomb. The law created the Radioactive Waste Investigation Fund. But it has never been funded. "The problems related with this waste have festered for nearly 80 years. It is well past time for us
to finally resolving them for the sake of all Missourians," Quade wrote. The law called for the state to earmark $150,000 annually to allow environmental regulators to probe sites where radioactive material was dumped more than 40 years ago.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch on 2024 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Aug 2, 2023
Mike Parson:
Let the feds clean up their 80 years of radioactive waste
Gov. Mike Parson rejected a call to schedule a special session to provide state funding to investigate areas of the state exposed to radioactive waste. "This issue was caused by the federal government and should be fixed by the federal government," said
a Parson spokesman. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade said lawmakers could take up the issue when they reconvene for their annual veto session. At issue is a law signed by Parson designed to address the presence of radioactive material left over
from the St. Louis region's role in creating the nuclear bomb. The law created the Radioactive Waste Investigation Fund. But it has never been funded. "The problems related with this waste have festered for nearly 80 years. It is well past time for us
to finally resolving them for the sake of all Missourians," Quade wrote. The law called for the state to earmark $150,000 annually to allow environmental regulators to probe sites where radioactive material was dumped more than 40 years ago.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch on 2024 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Aug 2, 2023
Bill Eigel:
Legislate against these woke, liberal ESG scores
Q: Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
A: No. I have filed legislation for the past several years to go after these woke, liberal ESG scores.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2024 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Aug 8, 2024
Lucas Kunce:
Corporations destroy our land and poison our people
Environment: Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?- Josh Hawley (R): Loosen. Opposed EPA's regulation on water pollution. Voted to roll back gov't agencies power to regulate "critical habitats." Introduced a bill
to ban "new radical climate regulations."
- Lucas Kunce (D): Tighten. "Corporations like Tyson…. destroy our land and water, and poison our people." Is "proud to be supported by" the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund.
Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Missouri Senate race
Oct 25, 2024
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026