Arnold Schwarzenegger on Environment Republican CA Governor

Improve our economy without impairing our environment

A: I will be a passionate defender of California's environment, providing real leadership to protect our precious land, air, and water. I believe that part of California's greatness lies in its natural resources and beauty. It is an essential part of the California experience.

What we do in this state must improve our quality of life, and environmental damage runs counter to that. Even from an economic perspective, our environment must be protected. If we have beaches soiled by oil spills, tourists will not come to this state. If we log our forests irresponsibly, stream beds will be destroyed and our fishing industry will be damaged.

I believe we can improve our economy without impairing our environment, and will govern by this belief. I am assembling a team of environmental advisors that will elaborate on key issues in the coming weeks.

Override federal exemption of new air pollution sources

California's Clean Air Act was the model for the federal Clean Air Act and our state has always led the nation in clean air programs. As governor, I will examine the federal exemption of new sources of industrial air pollution from "new source review" and propose state regulations to ensure that new facilities do not worsen our air quality.

Promote watershed management to clean up bays and rivers

Our streams, rivers, lakes, and bays can be better protected by using watershed management. As Governor, I will direct Cal/EPA and the Resources Agency to fully implement their recent agreement to clean up California's watersheds. These watersheds feed Lake Tahoe and Santa Monica Bay that are among California's most precious natural gems.

Calls himself an environmentalist but drives a Humvee

Supports grants for brownfields remediation.

H.R. 2941 Brownfields Redevelopment Enhancement Act.
Republican Main Street Partnership Congresswomen Marge Roukema (NJ), Sue Kelly (NY), and Melissa Hart (PA) as well as Congressman Paul Gillmor (PA) have introduced legislation providing a new source of funding for improving former industrial sites. H.R. 2941 reauthorizes the Brownfields Remediation Grant Program as well as creating a new loan program for brownfields redevelopment. The pilot program encourages cities to tap private loans for civic improvements by using the federal grants as collateral. The bill allows for Community Development Block Grants to be used in industrial site clean up as well.

Make EPA into a Cabinet department.

H.R. 2438/H.R. 2694 Department of Environmental Protection Act.
Republican Main Street Partnership members Sherwood Boehlert (NY) and Steve Horn (CA) each have introduced legislation that would elevate the position of Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to that of cabinet level. Initially, the EPA served as a regulatory agency, but as a result of numerous statutes enacted by Congress, the agency's jurisdiction has swelled. Each bill would redesignate the EPA as the Department of Environmental Protection. RMSP supports the efforts of Congressman Vern Ehlers to include a deputy administrator for science within the department.