Environmentalists Are True Conservatives

Dougherty Says “Going Green” Is Good for the Economy

“We can’t afford for another Earth Day to come and go without hope for progress and meaningful change in facing our environmental responsibilities. People are telling politicians in lots of ways that they are ready to act. I am listening and I will help make progress in our District and the country,” said 6th District Democratic Congressional Candidate Jennifer Dougherty.

“Environmentalists are true conservatives – they want every person to take personal responsibility when it comes to protecting the environment, conserving energy and promoting effective strategies that will reduce greenhouse gases and the negative impacts of climate change,” said Dougherty. “In Congress, I will use the same approach, promoting responsibility to achieve real progress on important environmental initiatives.”

“A few years ago, I attended an Earth Day Celebration and I was shocked to learn my ‘carbon footprint’. While I was doing well on water conservation, it was way too high on energy use. By taking a few simple actions like converting lightbulbs and adjusting my thermostat, I have reduced my energy consumption,” said Dougherty. “I also started getting smarter about the importance of planting trees and shrubs. It’s all part of the solution.”

Dougherty supports investments for jobs in alternative energy technologies and integrated waste management, as well as restoring protections to air and water quality. “Congress should set clear targets for reducing pollutants and we need to fight the temptation to solve one environmental problem by creating another. I will vote to roll back the tax breaks and subsidies given to big oil and gas companies. The $14 billion that is saved should be re-invested in developing clean, renewable and efficient energy sources.”

“I find it ironic that Roscoe Bartlett was the swing vote that gave Big Oil their big break. He claims to be a conservative and environmentalist, but he voted twice to allow drilling for oil in Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR). He said he was against it, but he voted for it,” noted challenger Dougherty. “It seems like every vote he takes is a vote for special interests.”

A sampling of Roscoe Bartlett’s other votes on environmental issues:

• Voted against raising fuel economy standards for fuel efficiency;

• Voted against raising the use of renewable energy in electricity;
• Voted against appropriations for state water pollution controls;
• Voted to allow mining companies to buy national parks and forests without public input or environmental review;
• Voted to undermine the Endangered Species Act that saved the American Bald Eagle;
• Voted for CAFTA which undermines environmental and labor protections;
• Voted to undermine National Environmental Policy Act of 1969;
• Voted to give Big Oil exemptions to the Clean Water Act;
• Voted to have incinerators qualify as a renewable energy source.

“Protecting and preserving the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions will take real work and some tough votes in Congress, but it’s the right thing to do. I will make the right choices,” said Dougherty.

Dougherty supports taking advantage of the talent and creativity that already exists in the colleges and businesses in our District. She will appoint a special energy and environmental liaison in her office to work with constituent groups and individuals. Investing in new vehicle technology, fuel cell technology, solar initiatives, hydrogen fuel technology and wind power is part of her comprehensive approach to reducing our country’s reliance on foreign oil.

“Earth Day is the perfect time to commit to solving our environmental problems with common sense and simple actions. For example, expanding recycling and other eco-friendly initiatives must be fully explored before we conclude that a waste-to-energy incinerator for Frederick and Carroll Counties is the best option for our trash.” said Dougherty.

Dougherty supports efforts to prove that going “green” can be good for the economy too. She has advocated a bio-fuels refinery for western Maryland to offer non-corn-based ethanol as an alternative for cars and trucks. The 6th District is the perfect for a Resource Recovery Business Park (RRP) that includes recycling, composting, Construction and Demolition (C & D) processing, and a workforce development center. Dougherty concluded, “One of the strengths of our District is our entrepreneurial spirit. We are ready to embrace this challenge and deliver results.”