Issue Position: Protecting Long Island Sound & Our Environment
Issue Position
Connecticut is a state of unparalleled beauty. Protecting our air, water, and natural resources here have been a top priority for me. When giant oil and gas companies are more concerned with profits than with the economic and environmental damage they would bring to our shores, Connecticut needs leaders who will stand up for the natural resources on which we all depend.
PROTECTING THE SOUND.
The BP disaster in the Gulf is a powerful reminder of what's at risk and the importance of safeguarding our unique natural resources. As Attorney General, I've fought to protect the Sound from big energy companies who threatened it with development.
* Broadwater Energy. I opposed the Broadwater Energy natural gas project, a floating natural gas plant in the middle of the Long Island Sound, as an "aesthetic monstrosity and environmental atrocity, a sitting terrorist target, security threat and navigation danger." After New York State initially blocked the Broadwater project for environmental reasons, the company asked the federal government to intervene and override the state's regulatory decision. I worked with others to defeat that effort and keep the plant out of the Sound.
* Islander East Pipeline. I opposed the Islander East project, which would have built an underwater natural gas pipeline running across the Long Island Sound. From its inception, I worked with Connecticut's leaders and environmental advocates to block the project, which would have degraded water quality, endangered shellfish beds, and damaged our coastal environment. After an eight year fight, we won that battle to protect the Sound.
In the U.S. Senate, I will push to hold big energy companies accountable for the potential consequences of their activities, and ensure that further energy development occurs in a responsible manner. I have also joined with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, local officials and environmental advocates to ask Congress to do more to protect Long Island Sound.
As your U.S. Senator, I will remain a fighter standing up to any special interest or effort that would put the Sound at risk. Clear action is needed, especially to confront the cause and consequences of the Gulf oil spill this past spring.
* Provide Subpoena Power for the Oversight Commission. BP has repeatedly sidestepped questions on the details of the oil spill. Granting the President's investigatory commission subpoena power is the way to ensure the company comes clean about the facts underlying the disaster.
* Raise the Liability Cap on Big Oil Companies to At Least $10 Billion. At the current liability cap of $75 million, entities such as BP are off the hook for all but a fraction of the damages for which they should be held responsible. Given their enormous profits, oil and gas companies' liability must be at least $10 billion in oil spills or similar disasters.
* End Oil Companies' Self-Policing. The government has let oil companies regulate themselves for far too long. Tough regulation and substantive enforcement are necessary to ensure that oil and gas companies are forced to account for safety along with their profits.
* Review and Strengthen Existing Penalties for Safety Violations. In the months and years leading up to the April 20 explosion in the Gulf, BP received and collected hundreds of egregious and willful safety violations, considering the fines for those violations simply the cost of doing business. A comprehensive review and strengthening of existing penalties for safety violations will ensure that flagrant disregard for worker and environmental safety isn't considered business as usual for Big Oil.
As Attorney General, I have fought to protect our environment while promoting our green economic innovations. As Senator, I will continue to fight to make Connecticut a leader in clean energy technologies and the jobs they provide, while ensuring our environment and shores remain safe for Connecticut families.
A RECORD OF RESULTS
I have a proven record of working to preserve our open spaces, protecting our air quality, and defending the state against violations of environmental rules. Here's some of what I've accomplished standing up to polluters to keep our air and water clean:
Air Quality.
* In January of this year, I joined with 15 other Attorneys General to support the Environmental Protection Agency in a court action to defend their efforts to begin the regulation of carbon dioxide as a pollutant.
* After enduring decades of pollution undermining our state's air quality at the hands of American Electric Power, I joined with seven other states in a landmark settlement requiring this Ohio-based company to spend $4.6 billion on pollution controls.
* When Cinergy tried to modify their electrical plants to increase emissions in Connecticut, I took them to court and won a case in the federal appeals court blocking those actions and the additional emissions.
Waste Dumping.
* When Phoenix Products Company of Plymouth illegally dumped toxic chemicals into the town's sewage system for over ten years, we worked in concert with federal prosecutors to recover $100,000 for the state.
* After three light bulb manufacturers contaminated sites in Milford and Orange with mercury, I brought suit and challenged them all the way to the state Supreme Court. We won the case, obtaining an $857,000 award to cover cleanup costs.
* When waste haulers were running illegal dumps in Stamford, I took them to court and shut them down. And when the same thing happened in Bethel, my office obtained a $500,000 settlement to support cleanup, with $150,000 going directly to the landowner whose property had been polluted.
Water Quality.
* My office recovered more than $1.5 million for Connecticut in damages against Atlantic Wire after that company allegedly dumped toxic waste in the Branford River, and achieved a set-aside of $897,000 from Atlantic's bankruptcy proceedings to help cover cleanup costs.
* When the Thames Shipyard and Repair Company allegedly violated several environmental regulations, office obtained a settlement that included financial penalties and an agreement by the company to undertake several environmental protection projects.
As your U.S. Senator, I will work to promote the green economy of the 21st century while simultaneously protecting and preserving Connecticut's environment for generations to come.
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