Issue Position: Environmental Conservation & Sustainable Energy

In addition to its natural beauty, much of the appeal of Vermont is our focus on quality of life. I grew up on a small farm and have gardened organically my entire life. Family farms, Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) models and other diverse agricultural enterprises are essential to our state. We must continue to be good stewards of the land and we need strong land use policies that are sustainable, while at the same time allowing necessary economic growth.

The first step in preserving our environment is to focus on energy conservation and efficiency as a way to reduce our reliability on fossil fuels. We must evaluate renewable and sustainable energy sources that best meet our energy needs. We must prioritize our spending at the state level and fund incentives that support energy conservation efforts. By weighing all aspects of solar, hydro, wind, geo-thermal and other energy sources, we can make careful decisions about them that are best for Vermont and its citizens. Vermont has long been thoughtful in its policy toward preserving our environment and we need to continue to put our efforts here. We must keep our state clean, unspoiled and thriving because our environment is fundamental to Vermont's economic and overall well-being.

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