Mitt Romney on Environment

Former Republican Governor (MA)

Invest in new technologies to get us off of foreign oil

help both the environment and the economy and national security. Is global warming an issue for the world? Absolutely. Is it something we can deal with by becoming energy independent and energy secure? We sure can. At the same time, we call it global warming, not America warming. So let's not put a burden on us alone and have the rest of the world skate by without having to participate in this effort. It's a global effort, but our independence is something we can do unilaterally. Source: 2007 Des Moines Register Republican Debate Dec 12, 2007

Response to Big Dig death shows how Romney handles crises

On July 10, 2006, the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority killed Milena Del Valle. The MTA didn't intend her death, of course, but when 12 tons of concrete fell from the roof of the "Central Artery/Tunnel Project," the $14 billion public works boondoggle commonly known as "The Big Dig," the MTA's recklessness and gross mismanagement had killed.

When tragedy struck, suddenly the Massachusetts legislature realized that the Big Dig was no longer merely a source of contracts that reeked of cronyism and corruption, but a potential public safety nightmare and political sinkhole. "It's hard to view the catastrophe as an accident," Romney declared. He immediately sought and received authority to conduct a safety audit of the tunnel and $20 million to conduct it.

Romney's response to a tragedy and public safety crisis illustrates how he can be expected to act as president when the inevitable crisis arises: to demand authority and to act, but only with the advice of the best experts available.

Source: A Mormon in the White House?, by Hugh Hewitt, p.155-157 Mar 12, 2007

Lit mountain with Olympic rings while placating enviro's

We decided to put rings on the side of a mountain. Together the rings were the size of 10 football fields, with 1000s of high output, low energy bulbs, strung on three parallel electric cables. Then came the flack from environmental activists.

They charged the installation would damage ground cover. I described our precautions: the whole program had been environmentally engineered to protect the land. We agreed to re-grade the dirt road. We also agreed to plant seed when we were through. We agreed to pay $25,000 to the Nature Conservancy endowment. The environmental groups still said no. If it were not for the courage of the Mayor standing up to some constituents, we might not have prevailed. That and the generosity of Utah Power. They bought 1000s of bulbs and their own workers installed it.

The rings were a signature of the overall look of the Games. We even had requests from the community that we illuminate the rings in the morning so commuters could enjoy the Olympic spirit.

Source: Turnaround, by Mitt Romney, p.221-222 Aug 25, 2004

Clean environment will be a campaign theme

Seizing on the momentum of his successful leadership of the Olympics in Salt Lake City, Romney revealed a campaign theme that relies heavily on his management and leadership experience.

"There have been too many left behind," Romney said after his announcement, in response to reporters' questions. "Our schools aren't solid enough; our environment has not been cleaned the way it could be. Our streets are not as safe as they could be. All these things could be made better in my view with the application of new leadership and sound management principles."

The millionaire venture capitalist said voters should not have trouble connecting with his candidacy. "Everything I've done over the last three years, I think, makes it clear that I'm very much connected with the people of our country and the people of our world," he said.

Source: Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe, p. B6 Mar 20, 2002

Click here for definitions & background information on Environment. Click here for a summary of all issue stances of Mitt Romney. Click here for a profile of Mitt Romney. Click here for VoteMatch responses by Mitt Romney. Agree? Disagree? Voice your opinions on Environment or about Mitt Romney in The Forum.
*Other governors on Environment:*		*Mitt Romney on other issues:*
AK Frank Murkowski AL Bob Riley AR Mike Huckabee AZ Janet Napolitano CA Arnold Schwarzenegger CO Bill Owens CT Jodi Rell DE Ruth Ann Minner FL Jeb Bush GA Sonny Perdue HI Linda Lingle IA Tom Vilsack ID Butch Otter IL Rod Blagojevich IN Mitch Daniels KS Kathleen Sebelius KY Ernie Fletcher LA Kathleen Blanco MA Mitt Romney MD Bob Ehrlich ME John Baldacci MI Jennifer Granholm MN Tim Pawlenty MO Matt Blunt MS Haley Barbour	MT Brian Schweitzer NC Mike Easley ND John Hoeven NE Dave Heineman NH John Lynch NJ Jon Corzine NM Bill Richardson NV Jim Gibbons NY George Pataki OH Bob Taft OK Brad Henry OR Ted Kulongoski PA Ed Rendell RI Don Carcieri SC Mark Sanford SD Mike Rounds TN Phil Bredesen TX Rick Perry UT Jon Huntsman VA Tim Kaine VT Jim Douglas WA Christine Gregoire WI Jim Doyle WV Joe Manchin III WY Dave Freudenthal	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty