This was written by Representative Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02) for Moms Clean Air Force:
Living in New Hampshire we cultivate a deep appreciation for our state’s natural resources. As a life-long resident of the Granite State, I grew up skiing in the White Mountains and swimming in our pristine lakes. I believe that we have a responsibility to protect these natural treasures for future generations. I am glad my two sons had the chance to grow up enjoying the bounty of our state’s natural wonders and I want to ensure that their children will have access to the same beauty.
A healthy environment supports a healthy population. Like millions of other Americans, I am experiencing adult-onset allergies, a condition that is often linked to air quality. Air pollution can also exacerbate existing conditions like asthma. In New Hampshire alone, there were over 1,000 hospital admissions for asthma in 2011, with an average charge of close to $12,300 for each stay. This is just a small sample of how pollution and smog not only obstruct our views from atop Mount Washington, but can also cause unnecessary health risks. As a mother, I want all Americans to have the ability to raise their children in a clean and safe environment.
This June, the President laid out his plan for combating climate change, the largest environmental challenge of our time. I commend the Administration for tackling the issue head on and I am committed to doing the same in Congress. We should begin with common sense measures that increase energy efficiency and push our energy sector to lead the world in clean technology development. Efficiency and renewable energy are bipartisan priorities that represent a win-win scenario: they are good for our energy independence, our national security, our economy, and our environment.
A healthy environment also supports a healthy economy. There is absolutely a direct connection between renewable energy development and the creation of good jobs right here in New Hampshire and across the country—jobs that our children will grow up to fill. I went to Congress to work for Granite Staters and the values that we all share. We all want our children to be able to appreciate our state the same way that we did growing up. If we want to preserve our quality of life and protect our families, then we have to be good stewards of the environment. We have to work from the ground up to accomplish this goal; individuals need to reduce their footprint on the natural world, communities need to find creative ways to increase efficiency and reduce waste, and we all need to demand better from every level of our government.
As the representative of my constituents in New Hampshire, I will continue fighting to protect our environment and our families in Congress, and I will work with anyone—in any party—who shares that goal.
For more information, contact: Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02) 18 North Main St., 4th Floor, Concord, 03301 Phone: 603-226-1002 Fax: 603-226-1010 Sign up for Rep. Kuster’s e-Newsletter HERE.