Environment and Public Health

Protecting Our Environment and Public Health
http://joehoeffel2010.com/environment

Protecting the environment and public health is a top priority for Joe Hoeffel, and Joe has proven his leadership to protect the environment and create more “green” jobs for Pennsylvanians. During his tenure in Congress, Joe was given a 95% rating by the League of Conservation Voters. His environmental priorities demonstrate his commitment to the health of Pennsylvanians, the beauty of Pennsylvania, and the sustainability of the state’s energy sources.


THE COST OF NATURAL GAS AND THE WAY TO OFFSET IT

Pennsylvania rests on one of the largest natural gas deposits in the world. In fact, Pennsylvania might hold enough recoverable gas to fuel the nation’s needs for years. However, this opportunity comes at a cost—air pollution, road and transit damage, drinking water contamination, and billions of gallons of water taken from our streams. To protect our lands from the damages of gas drilling, Joe will push for a severance tax on natural gas production to fund reclamation and key environmental programs.


ECONOMIC CLIMATE CHANGE

Joe knows that while protecting a green Pennsylvania is important, protecting the green in your wallet is important, too. That is why as Governor, Joe would invest in “green” jobs that would not only protect the environment, but also pay Pennsylvanians for working to protect their state.


BREATHE EASIER WITH JOE HOEFFEL

While Joe understands the importance of fueling our economy and preserving jobs in the coal industry, he also recognizes that there are steps that can be taken to minimize the environmental impact of such fuel sources. That is why Joe supports implementing state of the art pollution control devices, which protect the environment and your health and actually lower costs. Pennsylvania needs a Governor to fight for stronger state environmental laws that meet or surpass federal requirements.


RENEWABLE ENERGY

Joe will continue state support for renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. He supports the development of cellulosic ethanol from sustainable raw sources like wood chips and agricultural waste, as well as biodiesel, which is made from vegetable oil or animal fat. Joe knows we must reduce our reliance on non-renewable fuel sources that harm the environment.

Joe will take bold action to implement a strong Green Building component designed to make our buildings more efficient. Moreover, Joe will also reauthorize and increase Pennsylvania’s Energy Construction Standard and will support the policies of the Pennsylvania Climate Change Advisory Committee.


CLEAN WATER PROTECTION

As governor, Joe will take concrete steps to protect the water that naturally flows in our state. He’ll push the Pennsylvania Assembly to enact laws requiring at least 100-foot buffers along all streams in our state. This would require new construction be set back from all Pennsylvania streams, reducing pollution and flood damage and protecting drinking water quality. This simple step would provide a safeguard between Pennsylvania’s natural, vital, and beautiful streams and the man-made development and construction that threaten them.

Joe will support upgrading our sewage systems by renewing the state’s clean water bond referendum, which will also produce more “green” jobs for Pennsylvanians.