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Interview: New Hampshire’s Senator Jeanne Shaheen

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This is a Moms Clean Air Force exclusive interview with New Hampshire’s Senator Jeanne Shaheen:

New Hampshire Senator Jeanne ShaheenWhat is unique about protecting New Hampshire’s resources? 

Our beautiful open spaces are such an important part of our state’s identity and Granite Staters recognize that. Global warming will harm New Hampshire’s environment and economy (Tweet this) in many ways including reducing snow pack and shortening our fall foliage season.

People across our state understand the urgency of addressing climate change – and three in four Granite Staters support government action to combat it. We’re fortunate to have so many engaged and motivated people that want to protect our state.

As a parent and grandparent are you worried about the effects of climate change on your family and the children of New Hampshire? 

I’m very concerned about the impact climate change will have on future generations. (Tweet this) But I’m also hopeful that together we can avoid the worst impacts of climate change. We’re already doing our part in New Hampshire and it’s time we work together globally for the good of our children and our children’s children.

Why is the Clean Power Plan so important for New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, climate change is truly an existential threat. We see its impacts all across our state. Rising temperatures are impacting New Hampshire’s tourism and outdoor recreation economy, threatening our moose population and disrupting our maple syrup production. Global warming is also endangering the public health of New Hampshire citizens. Rising temperatures increase smog levels and heighten the effects of allergy season, all of which imperil the health of vulnerable populations.

I am proud to say that Granite Staters recognize the effects of global warming, and that our state has been a leader in reducing pollution and transitioning to a more efficient, clean energy economy. Because of our bold action, we’re going to meet the goals of the Clean Power Plan ten years early. But, if we’re really going to tackle climate change, every region of the country needs to follow our lead and that’s why the Clean Power Plan is so important for New Hampshire.

How can bipartisan efforts to address climate change be achieved in our politically polarizing culture? 

Outside of Washington, the issue of climate change transcends ideological boundaries. A national poll found that 76 percent of Americans now agree that climate change is occurring. The reason there is growing domestic support for U.S. action on climate is because Americans are starting to see and understand the connection between climate change and troubling weather and health events occurring across the country.

I’ve always believed that energy efficiency, in particular, is one of the most important tools for avoiding climate change by reducing the use of fossil fuels. That is why I have successfully worked with my Republican colleagues to advance legislation that reduces carbon emissions, creates jobs and supports a clean energy economy. I look forward to continuing to work across the aisle to advance common sense energy policies.

You attended the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) in Paris. How was COP 21 relevant to New Hampshire?  

It’s hard to overstate the impact climate change will have on our public health, environment and economy. Like I’ve said, here in New Hampshire, we’re already ahead of the curve in addressing climate change. But we can do all we want in New Hampshire, and the entire United States for that matter, but it won’t be enough unless we can forge a global plan that brings on board the other large emitters of greenhouse gasses, like China and India. That’s why the global agreement reached in Paris matters for New Hampshire, because when it comes to climate change, we all have to be in this together.

Is there anything you would like to share that is important for Moms Clean Air Force members to know?

The United States needs to be a leader in the global effort to address climate change, and the work of groups like Moms Clean Air Force are so important to that leadership. So continue to raise the issue and let your representatives know that you want them to take action to address climate change. The fight against climate change should unite all Americans and I believe together we can rise to the challenge.

The only woman in U.S. history to be elected both a Governor and a United States Senator, Jeanne Shaheen has been committed to serving the citizens of New Hampshire and is known for her common-sense leadership, hard work and dedication to improving the lives of the middle class. She has served in the United States Senate since 2009 and is a member of the Senate Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Relations, Appropriations, and is Ranking Member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee.

As a long-standing advocate for energy efficiency, Shaheen created programs while Governor that saved New Hampshire families and businesses over $1 billion through energy efficiency. In the Senate, Shaheen introduced bipartisan legislation that would create a national energy efficiency strategy to foster job creation, save businesses and consumers money and reduce pollution. She was successful in passing several provisions of her energy efficiency plan that will help businesses create jobs and consumers reduce energy costs. According to a study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) Shaheen-Portman is estimated to create more than 190,000 jobs, save consumers $16.2 billion a year, and cut CO2 emissions and other air pollutants by the equivalent of taking 22 million cars off the road – all by 2030.

Senator Shaheen and her husband, Bill, live in Madbury and have three daughters, Stefany, Stacey and Molly, and seven grandchildren.

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