Lincoln Chafee presidential campaign, 2016/Natural resources
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 Lincoln Chafee |
Governor of Rhode Island (2011-2015) U.S. Senate (1999-2007) |
 Democratic candidates: |
2028 • 2024 • 2020 • 2016 |
This page was current as of the 2016 election.
Climate change
- Lincoln Chafee tweeted his support for President Obama's "Clean Power Plan" on August 3, 2015. To address climate change, the plan set new standards for carbon emissions from power plants.[1][2]
- Chafee established the Rhode Island Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council in 2014 “in recognition of the strong evidence and scientific consensus that manmade greenhouse gases are causing an overall rise in global temperatures that are predicted to have profound effects on global climate, weather patterns, ocean conditions as well as terrestrial environments.” Several months later, Chafee signed the Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2015 to charge that council with creating a framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the effects of climate change.[3][4]
- Chafee supported the EPA’s 2014 proposal to reduce power plants’ carbon emissions in an effort to address climate change.[5]
Energy production
- Lincoln Chafee supported the development of green energy sources in Rhode Island through the Renewable Energy Fund. He stated, “If we can leverage our existing assets and maintain collaboration between government and the business and environmental communities, green energy will be a source of tremendous job creation and economic growth for our state.”[6]
- In 2014, Chafee supported legislation creating a new license type for renewable energy professionals.[7]
- In 2006, Chafee voted in favor of S 3711 - Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, which sought to explore and develop mineral resources in the Gulf of Mexico through offshore drilling.[8]
Environmental protection
- Environmental stewardship is listed as one of four policy priorities on Lincoln Chafee’s exploratory committee website. Chafee wrote, “Throughout my career I have shown the proper respect for our natural world. At the local level I was a champion for wise growth with maximum input from neighbors on development. As a Senator, I was often the critical vote in favor of clean air, clean water and protection of vulnerable species. As Governor, my administration added unprecedented open space and parkland. The Northeast has the nation’s highest energy costs and I know the importance of balancing protection of our environment and making rational decisions on energy infrastructure. This same respect for people’s livelihoods extends to all economic sectors of our country.”[9]
- The League of Conservation Voters gave Lincoln Chafee a lifetime favorable rating of 78 percent for pro-environmental votes while in the U.S. Senate.[10]
- As a Republican senator, Chafee joined seven Democrats and one Independent in blocking President George W. Bush’s environmental initiative, the Clear Skies Act, from leaving the Senate committee. Chafee and his allies argued “the negotiations were conducted in bad faith, that the pollution-control targets were too low and that the bill contained irresponsible loopholes.” In a press release, Chafee specifically cited his discomfort the bill’s lack of a mandatory reduction of carbon dioxide.[11][12]
- In 2005, Chafee co-sponsored S 260 - Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act, which allows the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support private landowners and public and private entitites involved in habitate improvement and resotration. It became law on October 3, 2006.[13]
- In 2005, Chafee voted in favor of an amendment to bar oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.[14]
Water and air pollution
- Lincoln Chafee joined 44 other senators in 2004 to urge the EPA to more strictly regulate mercury emissions from power plants.[15]
- In 2001 and 2005, Chafee introduced bills to provide federal funding for research into the connection between breast cancer and environmental factors.[16][17]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Lincoln + Chafee + Natural + Resources
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Twitter, "Lincoln Chafee," August 3, 2015
- ↑ Environmental Protection Agency, "Clean Power Plan for Existing Power Plants," accessed August 4, 2015
- ↑ Rhode Island Division of Planning, “RI Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council,” accessed May 5, 2015
- ↑ General Assembly, “H 7904 - Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014,” accessed May 5, 2015
- ↑ RI.gov, “Governor Chafee Applauds New Federal Rule to Cut Carbon Emissions,” June 2, 2014
- ↑ RI.gov, “Governor Lincoln D. Chafee Announces RIEDC Funding for East Providence Solar Farm Project,” March 29, 2011
- ↑ RI.gov, “Legislation Removes Barriers for Renewable Energy Businesses,” June 16, 2014
- ↑ Congress.gov, “S.3711 - Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006,” accessed May 5, 2015
- ↑ Chafee 2016 Presidential Exploratory Committee, “Policy,” accessed May 5, 2015
- ↑ The League of Conservation Voters, “Senator Lincoln Chafee (R),” accessed May 5, 2015
- ↑ The Washington Post, “Senate Impasse Stops 'Clear Skies' Measure,” March 10, 2005
- ↑ Lincoln Chafee’s Office, “Chafee Fighting for Clean Air,” March 1, 2005
- ↑ Congress.gov, “S.260 - Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act,” accessed May 5, 2015
- ↑ Congress.gov, S.Amdt.2358 to S.1932,” accessed May 5, 2015
- ↑ U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, “Tripartisan Senate Coalition Calls for Stronger Mercury Proposal,” April 1, 2004
- ↑ Congress.gov, “S.830 - Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act of 2001,” accessed May 5, 2015
- ↑ Congress.gov, “S.757 - Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act of 2006,” accessed May 5, 2015
