Energy and Environment

When Richard Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970, it was a bipartisan effort to combat polluted rivers and toxic runoff into our drinking water by installing safeguards using science, research and enforcement activities to protect the health and livelihoods of millions of Americans.

Environmental policies that make protect the planet and our economy require policies that balance economic development with conservation goals over the long run. Environmental progress means economic prosperity.

My family’s roots are in agriculture. The same can be said for many, many families in the 1st District. Whether growing crops, farming oysters or making their living through fishing one of the many fisheries in the 1st district, environmental protection means economic protection for many families. Corporate practices polluting and endangering the environment threatens thousands of working families.

Common sense environmental policy includes creating long-term solutions with buy-in from both sides. We achieve that by providing market-based incentives for companies to reduce pollution, taking into consideration agriculture with the creation of new rules and ensuring agencies like the EPA and USDA work together to meet the needs of citizens and businesses across localities.

Let’s promote green technologies for new energy as an alternative revenue source that builds regional economies and reduces our carbon footprint. Solar farms across the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula will supply our power needs. Not only would this bring high tech jobs to the 1st District, it would help us preserve our agricultural heritage and ensure our economic future.