Environment

New Hampshire is second to none when it comes to protecting its water, air and land for our children and grandchildren. The Granite State’s home-grown conservation and environmental organizations work hand-in-hand with the hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, and tourism communities to achieve a balanced, “multi-use” approach to conservation. In that spirit, Senator Sununu is committed to protecting New Hampshire’s lands and waterways through expanding designated wilderness areas, fostering clean energy development, establishing reachable goals to mitigate climate change, and by supporting the strict enforcement of our nation’s clean air and water laws and regulations.

Protecting Forests the New Hampshire Way -- John sponsored and succeeded in passing the New England Wilderness Act of 2006, which expanded wilderness in the White Mountain National Forest by 34,500 acres and incorporated approximately 42,000 acres in Vermont under wilderness protection. John also secured assistance and land for a number of critical conservation initiatives, including the expansion of the Lamprey River Wild and Scenic designation, permanent conservation of 171,000 acres in Pittsburg, Clarksville, and Stewartstown, and protection of sensitive lands in the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge and Ossipee and Moose Mountain Ranges.

Clean Renewable Energy -- John led the Senate in passing the Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act – bipartisan legislation that is not only right for the environment, but also good for the renewables industry in New Hampshire and across the nation. This legislation is integral in developing clean energy alternatives to fossil fuel by extending incentives for the production of renewable electricity from wind, biomass, and geothermal sources. The bill also extends a number of incentives to encourage the purchase of solar property, energy-efficient construction or modifications of homes and businesses, and production of energy-saving appliances. John also worked to include a biomass property tax credit, which is important to New Hampshire’s wood and forestry industries and will assist families in using a cleaner and more energy and cost- efficient heating source.

Protecting New Hampshire’s air – For too long, New Hampshire’s air has suffered from the damaging effects of Midwestern power plant emissions. When the Environmental Protection Agency proposed weakening the Clean Air Act’s standards, John voted to force those plants to clean up their emissions as the law intended and supported New Hampshire’s regional lawsuits to enforce strict standards.

Staying Tough on Mercury -- John is an outspoken advocate of tougher national mercury standards. While New Hampshire has made tremendous strides in reducing in-state mercury emissions, tighter federal regulations are needed to prevent Midwestern power plants from emitting toxic mercury plumes in our state’s direction. John called on the Environmental Protection Agency to approve the Northeast Regional Mercury Reduction Plan and is a lead sponsor of the Mercury Emissions Control Act to reduce mercury emissions by 90 percent.

Keeping Granite State Water Clean – John continues to work with cities and towns across New Hampshire to clean up our lakes, rivers, and streams. From Portsmouth to Nashua, Berlin to Somersworth, and Jaffrey to Manchester, John strives to bring federal, state, and local funds together to upgrade wastewater systems and meet tough clean water standards. Year after year, John supports grants to help repair and rebuild aging water and wastewater infrastructure in our towns and cities. Moreover, John is a steward of clean water in the Senate, and, in 2003, led the fight to protect the Granite State’s drinking water by filibustering the administration-backed Energy Bill – a bill that would have prevented New Hampshire from forcing major oil companies to cleanup groundwater contamination.

Sensible Approach to Climate Change -- John is a lead sponsor of the bipartisan Clean Air Planning Act, aimed at reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and mercury through market-oriented solutions. The bill sets realistic standards for reducing emissions and would cut carbon dioxide from power plants by 57 percent, sulfur dioxide emissions by 82 percent, nitrogen oxide emissions by 68 percent, and mercury emissions by 90 percent. This bill is good for public health and environment, and it will also help keep New Hampshire’s tourism-based economy strong.

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