Points of view: The environmentThe Globe asked the three
Democratic candidates for
governor questions about
the environment. |
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Q. Do you support
building a liquefied
natural gas terminal
in Massachusetts? If
so, where should it be
located and why?
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For the time being, LNG will have to be part of a
diversified energy strategy and if a suitable site can
be found we should pursue it. Each of the current
proposals is fl awed. The Weaver's Cove proposal
in Fall River is too close to a densely populated
neighborhood. The facility proposed for Outer Brewster
Island would be in a park, a troubling precedent.
The proposed sites offshore Gloucester have not yet
undergone environmental impact review, so I will
withhold judgment. But their location raises serious
concerns about the impact on fishing and security.
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I recognize that we need additional sources of energy
in Massachusetts and one option is LNG. I do not think
siting LNG terminals in densely populated areas, like
Fall River, is responsible policy, but I would be open to
considering an offshore terminal. |
I support pursuing a regional approach to the siting
of new liquefi ed natural gas terminals. Natural gas
is an important source of our region's energy supply.
However, we should not make decisions about siting
new LNG facilities on an ad hoc basis. There are
roughly 15 proposed LNG projects under review in the
Northeastern United States and eastern Canada, more
than needed for our future energy supply. A regional
approach to siting is consistent with our regional
approach to electricity, and would help ensure that
siting decisions reflect actual need and protect public
safety and the environment. |
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Q. Do you support the
Cape Wind project?
Why or why not? |
Yes. I support the Cape Wind project and the important
energy and environmental benefits it will provide to
the Cape and Islands. It is an important symbol of the
kind of leadership we can provide in becoming a global
economic center of alternative and renewable energy
technologies, products, and services. I believe that
well-designed renewable energy projects that pass
strict environmental and ecological scrutiny deserve
our support. |
Yes, I support the Cape Wind project. We need to
work to get a good deal for the state, but I recognize
the importance of developing new sources of clean,
renewable energy in Massachusetts. Unfortunately
we've allowed this one project to dominate the debate
over renewable energy. Massachusetts needs a
comprehensive policy to promote renewable energy.
That policy should include greater investment by the
state in renewable energy, and in the companies that
are developing innovative technologies that will lead
to a cleaner environment and additional jobs for the
Commonwealth. |
I support the development of renewable energy,
but I oppose the Cape Wind project. This project
would compromise one of our most precious assets,
Nantucket Sound. Moreover, the project was exempted
from competitive bidding, leaving it to the Bush
administration to determine how much Massachusetts
will receive for this use of 24 square miles of public
land. I have proposed better ways to promote
renewable energy, including making Massachusetts a
national leader in developing offshore wind power over
deep waters, increasing state purchases of renewable
energy, and placing renewable energy at the center of
our universities' research agenda. |
| Q. Governor Mitt
Romney declined to sign
the Regional Greenhouse
Gas Initiative (RGGI),
a compact among
Northeast states to limit
carbon dioxide from
power plants. Would
you sign it? What other
steps would you take to
address global warming? |
Yes. I believe that a federal solution is preferable,
but in [that] absence I strongly support the Regional
Greenhouse Gas Initiative. I believe this helps address
the increasing threat to our coastline and public health
posed by climate change. Stronger leadership on
conservation and alternative and renewable energy
technologies is critical. Massachusetts is needlessly
missing environmental and economic opportunities
to address climate change, reduce emissions of
pollutants, and become the clean technology industry
capital of the world. |
Yes, I would sign RGGI. I would also work to meet
our renewable portfolio standard (that requires a
growing percentage of the state's energy to come
from renewable sources) promote green building
and encourage efficiency through the use of new
technologies. In addition, I will support the use and
development of renewable energy technologies with
FAST (Fund to Accelerate Science and Technology).
We have the research institutions, the innovation
economy, and the skilled workforce to discover, build,
and export renewable technologies in Massachusetts. |
Yes. Global warming is a serious threat to our
environment, health, and economy. Massachusetts
should be a national leader in fighting global warming,
limiting carbon dioxide emissions, and spurring the
creation of jobs through the development of new clean
energy technologies. As governor, I would also continue
my current efforts to force the Bush administration to
curb global warming. And my comprehensive energy
plan includes numerous policies to reduce emissions,
including the development of renewable energy and
encouraging energy conservation. |
| Q. Will you support
construction of the
Red Line/Blue Line
connector in downtown
Boston and other transit
promises the state
made to offset impacts
from the Big Dig? What
other transit projects
would you support? |
Thinking on which projects are most appropriate
may have evolved, but in the absence of a compelling
reason, we must keep the downtown Boston and
other mass transit commitments. Beyond that, I
want to expand and improve commuter rail services
statewide. These include the Fall River/New Bedford
rail extension, the Blue Line extension to Lynn and
improved service from Worcester to Boston (ultimately
extending high-speed train service through Springfield
to New York City). |
I support the Red Line/Blue Line connector and other
transit promises the state made. Massachusetts has
a number of proposed transportation projects under
consideration. The first step I would take would be
to assess these projects for their environmental
impact, feasibility, and cost. Once this is determined,
my administration will prioritize these projects. If
elected, I will look for opportunities to expand public
transportation to the extent possible. |
It has long been understood that the Big Dig must be
complemented by other transportation improvements.
The Red-Blue Line connector is an important project,
as are other projects in and outside Greater Boston,
including expanded commuter rail to Fall River/New
Bedford and improved service to Worcester. As
governor, I will treat public transit as a priority,
improving and expanding service to make it easier to
live, work, and create jobs throughout Massachusetts. |
| Q. The state is facing
an estimated $800
million maintenance
backlog in parks. How
will you solve this
problem and where
are the needs most
pressing? |
[The] backlog is the legacy of many years of neglect.
We will not solve this problem overnight, but we will
identify the most critical capital needs and begin
to address them, and as we do the maintenance
budget will decline. Unsafe and unclean conditions
at beaches, pools, and playgrounds will receive
priority attention. At a minimum, I am committed to
an additional $10 million for operating costs for our
parks. |
Our parks have been underfunded for years. My goal
would be to increase the budget for the State Forests
and Parks system and partner with nonprofit and
institutional communities to better staff park facilities,
address maintenance needs, and protect the health
and safety of visitors to the state's parks. |
Maintaining our parks must be a priority. They provide
recreational opportunities and a welcoming habitat
for animal species, protect the character of our
communities, and attract tourists to Massachusetts.
As governor, I would ensure that our parks are truly
world-class by increasing investments in operations
and maintenance, encouraging citizen engagement
in the support and upkeep of our parks, promoting
visitation from residents and tourists, and managing
resources efficiently. |
| Q. If you are elected
governor, what
environmental problem
will be your top priority
and how will you solve
it?
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Many of our environmental interests have suffered
from neglect in recent years. Still, addressing our
energy needs is one of the great challenges of our
time. The world needs energy that is clean, renewable,
and affordable. I believe that with long-range vision
and smart steps today, Massachusetts can position
itself to take full economic and environmental
advantage of the growing crisis in the availability and
cost of oil and natural gas. As governor, I will promote
small-scale wind and other cost-effective renewable
energy sources in appropriate locations. I will also
increase our investments in clean energy sources and
technologies and in energy efficiency. |
My first environmental priority as governor will be
to encourage and support the development and use
of renewable energy technologies. This will lessen
harmful emissions and our dependence on foreign oil.
I would also target the environmental problems that
have an immediate impact on public health, like clean
water. |
As governor, clean air will be my top environmental
priority. I will continue pressing the Bush
administration to curb global warming; pursue a
comprehensive strategy to promote the development
of clean, renewable energy; implement regulations
to reduce nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and mercury
emissions; and encourage energy conservation
through tax incentives for “green buildings” and hybrid
and alternative-fuel vehicles. |
