From Winter 2007 Maine Environment
 |
Matt Prindiville, NRCM's Policy Advocate for Federal Issues, writes a column for Maine Environment about national environmental issues that affect Maine. |
A Vote for Change
Democratic majorities in the House and Senate were swept into office by a confluence of concerns. Although the Iraq war was by far the greatest, Americans now have the most environmentally friendly legislative branch that we have seen since the early 1990s, maybe even the '80s. Nevertheless, it will not be easy to pass the kinds of laws we need to create a mix of renewable energy sources and conservation, and to seriously address global warming. The filibuster works for any minority party, so it will still take at least 60 votes to get any big bills through the Senate.
And we must not forget that for at least the next two years the President will probably veto any legislation the timber companies, oil companies, or utilities don't like. We in the environmental community will need to prioritize our issues as never before and sort out what we believe we can accomplish quickly and efficiently versus which items will require a longer-term strategy.
For the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the change in Congress is immensely important and immediate. We will not have to worry nearly so much about legislative rollbacks to our nation’s fundamental environmental laws. It is unlikely that we will face an onslaught of legislation aimed at opening our nation’s most beloved wild places to exploitation and destruction. We must, however, continue to challenge the administration and industries that attempt to thwart the law by gutting the regulations that implement it. Loss of anti-environmental committee chairs in Congress will send polluters running to the administration as never before seeking rule changes to weaken public health and environmental safeguards. NRCM and our allies will work hard to ensure long-term values are not sacrificed for short-term profits that benefit few.
The change in Congress also means that NRCM will be able to help make the most of our existing environmental laws. Using these laws, we can promote fundamental changes in how we manage our resources, protect people, and preserve the working pieces of our natural world. We are finally in a position to more efficiently advance the unfulfilled potential of the laws we have. Fortunately, Maine Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins have already demonstrated their commitment to many environmental protections that protect our environment and our families.
Last November, the American people voted for change. Those votes were a voice for change. Now, NRCM, working with our many colleagues and our Senators, are better poised to bring it about. We look forward to working with you, and for you, in the
coming year!
—Matt Prindiville, Policy Advocate for Toxics and Federal Issues