Issue Position: Environment

Issue Position

Issue Position: Environment

Responsible stewardship of the earth and its assets is something we owe to our children as well as to ourselves. I have long advocated on behalf of measures that protect America's precious natural resources. Whether leading the fight to preserve our Great Lakes, championing the manufacturing and broad use of ethanol and renewable sources of energy, or cleaning up toxic waste sites, I am committed to a clean, healthy, and vibrant environment.

Invasive Species

Invasive species pose a risk to native animal and plant species and can be a significant economic burden on communities and homeowners. In Illinois alone, we face the threat of the Emerald Ash Borer, the Asian Longhorned Beetle, the Asian Carp, zebra mussels and several other invasive plants and animals. Left unchecked, these species can decimate native populations, upset ecological balances, and cause significant economic damage.

I have long supported efforts to increase funding for research, control, and eradication of these species. I am also the lead sponsor of a bill that would provide low-cost financing to local units of government that are willing to devote time and resources for surveys, tree thinning, and other techniques designed to stop the spread of these pests.

Superfund Sites

One in four Americans lives within three miles of a Superfund site. In Illinois there are 41 Superfund sites on the National Priorities List (NPL), plus an additional 368 sites listed at various stages of activity.

For years, we have witnessed the Superfund Trust Fund dwindle to nearly zero. As a result, taxpayers have been forced to provide too much of the clean-up program's funding. Unlike each previous Administration in the history of the program, the Bush Administration has never reauthorized Superfund fees as part of its budget. I have consistently supported reauthorization of the "polluter pays" fees to remove this burden from taxpayers, and I will continue to do so. Ordinary citizens need to be protected from, not made to pay for, the transgressions of corporate polluters.

Global Warming

One of the most significant environmental crises we face is global warming, which is already impacting our agriculture, economy, and public health. Global warming causes serious damage to natural habitats: it raises sea levels, causes chronic droughts, and leads to accelerated erosion of shorelines throughout the world. Climate change threatens the Great Lakes, the largest single source of fresh drinking water in the world, and could also affect Illinois' vital agricultural economy, causing crop yields to decrease.

I introduced legislation with Senator Chuck Hagel calling for all intelligence and military agencies to pool their data and produce a comprehensive, long-term analysis of the long term national security implications of global warming. The document will be an important first step in realizing the broad impact of global warming on our economy and national security, in addition to our environment.

I also support legislation aimed at creating a greenhouse gas emissions "cap and trade" program which would require reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from the electric utility, transportation, industrial, and commercial sectors. I am also an advocate of mandatory fuel efficiency standards and clean alternative sources of energy that can reduce our usage of the fossil fuels that contribute to global warming.

Clean Water

In the future, water will prove to be an even more precious resource than it is today. That is why I have consistently supported efforts now to keep our lakes, rivers, and oceans safe in the years ahead. The Great Lakes are the largest fresh water supply in the nation, containing about 20 percent of all the fresh water in the world. The Lakes serve as the source of drinking water for nearly 30 million people throughout the region and support a wide range of recreational and commercial pursuits. I am dedicated to protecting Lake Michigan by fighting invasive species and reducing pollution. I will continue to lead the effort to restore, preserve, and protect one of our country's greatest natural resources.

Cruise ships please their customers by taking advantage of the inherent beauty of the Great Lakes and oceans, but they need to take more responsibility for protecting the waters they use. The average cruise ship produces 140,000-210,000 gallons of sewage and uses a million gallons of laundry, kitchen, and shower water daily. I have introduced legislation that will minimize the environmental damage associated with the cruise ship industry. My legislation requires that ships dump sewage farther from shore, thus decreasing the threat to the coastal zone, and requires ships to clean up to a higher standard any sewage dumped within U.S. waters. The ocean is a not an infinite resource. If we want to continue being able to enjoy this valuable ecosystem, we must take bold steps now to protect our waters.

Wilderness Protection

The remaining wilderness areas in America are a precious and dwindling resource. I am working to preserve these areas, not only for our generation and the next to enjoy, but also to sustain the ecosystems and animals living in wilderness. It is important for all Americans as well as for the animals that inhabit these areas. Keeping part of nature pristine is a gift to all citizens and the next generation and I have been actively involved in ensuring that some wild areas are left untouched.

I have long supported Chicago Wilderness and the important work it's doing to protect natural habitat and make it available to people. I also have introduced legislation in recent years that will keep pristine nature areas of Southern Utah free from ATVs and mining. This land includes some of the most beautiful desert landscapes in the world, and it should be preserved. Finally, I have worked to block efforts to start drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a protected sanctuary of land and wildlife that is one of the last truly unspoiled places in the country.

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