This piece is written by Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02):
This Mother’s Day weekend, many families across the state will spend time together enjoying all that New Hampshire’s natural resources have to offer, such as hiking, boating, visiting the beach, or other outdoor activities. I remain committed to ensuring our state’s scenic treasures are preserved for future generations to be able to enjoy, and support conservation programs and other initiatives that strike the right balance of environmental stewardship and economic growth.
Part of those efforts includes ensuring that our state, and the rest of New England, does not continue to be the tailpipe of the nation. That’s why I voted against legislation last fall that would delay the implementation of important clean air protection measures that would make the rest of the country catch up to what is already being done here in New Hampshire.
The Environmental Protection Agency is attempting to implement what are known as the Air Toxics Rule and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule to help keep harmful pollutants like mercury, arsenic, chromium, nickel, and acid gases out of the air we breathe. Unfortunately, under current regulations, coal plants in the Midwest are able to release these types of emissions into the air and they are able to travel to New Hampshire. I voted against numerous attempts to block these rules from going into effect and am pleased to say that so far efforts to stop the EPA on this issue have been unsuccessful. I think there is bipartisan agreement in our state that important environmental protections already in place to reduce toxic air pollutants should continue.
I am committed to finding a workable solution to achieve cleaner air and preserve the economic competitiveness of the United States in the global marketplace. Improving energy efficiency is one step in that process, and as a result, I have introduced bipartisan legislation with colleagues from all over the country to decrease domestic demand by using innovative methods and financing to encourage advancements in energy efficiency technologies.
As I spend Mother’s Day with my family and take a walk outside in my backyard in Peterborough, I think of how fortunate I am to have these natural treasures in my home state, and why we need to be responsible stewards of our environment. I want New Hampshire’s children and grandchildren to be able to enjoy them for years to come, and will continue working to preserve them.
Best wishes to all of you for a safe, enjoyable, and memorable Mother’s Day.
Charles F. Bass represents New Hampshire’s Second District in Congress and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. You can reach him at http://bass.house.gov
Thank you, Congressman Bass!
Photo: Piscataqua River, Seavey Island, NH via Coastal Living