Continue to support the long-standing improvements to the Chesapeake Bay to sustain its
role as a vital natural resource for all of Maryland
Take
a balanced approach to environmental regulation, recognizing the need to improve the quality of life of Marylanders while
also allowing responsible development to encourage economic growth
Call for a state-led commission to propose policies and legislation that encourage sustainability in new building
construction and renovations to meet green building standards.
Promote sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, the use of recycled
materials, and indoor environmental quality—primarily through market-based solutions with the state providing
policy encouragement to achieve these goals.
Position
I believe that environmental protection is fully consistent with traditional conservative principles.Protecting our shared natural resources—many of which have been held in trust for the general public—is
a basic and valid function of government.They can ensure a level playing field for the individuals and
businesses who take advantage of those natural assets.I feel that this includes important Maryland resources
like the Chesapeake Bay, the Allegheny Mountains of Western Maryland and the rural open spaces that dot our landscape.
I am convinced that there
are ways that commercial business and organizations can reduce their environmental impacts. These “green” principles
help commercial business operations to be more environmentally-friendly while simultaneously helping them cut costs by producing
less waste, consuming less energy and using resources more efficiently. Our State must work tirelessly
to encourage businesses to explore these options.We should create incentives to encourage firms to try
new techniques to reduce their ecological footprint.
Reducing
Energy Consumption
I
can think of at least one specific example—one with which I am most familiar—of a measure that would have a dramatic
and positive impact on the environment.By implementing policies that persuade businesses to reduce their
energy consumption, we would see reductions in the gases that are emitted to produce that energy, whil also significantly
reducing demand for energy (with consequently lower costs).
In fact, forty percent
of all the pollution attributed to global warming comes from residential and commercial buildings.Howard
County has shown itself to be a state leader in the field of sustainable “green building”
design and implementation.By encouraging their development statewide—which would employ environmentally-preferable
construction materials and techniques—Maryland would be on the forefront of this energy efficiency wave.Such action would serve to reduce both water and energy use, would minimize waste and would make better use of our
state’s natural resources.
Vote Jeff Robinson for District 13 House of Delegates
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of Jeff Robinson, Dave Frasier, Treasurer
