New Congresswoman Elise Stefanik's Stance on Environmental Issues in the Adirondacks

Yesterday, Elise Stefanik was elected to Congress, taking New York's 21st  congressional district, which includes the Adirondacks. This makes her the first Republican to win the district in 21 years. She has worked under President George W. Bush's administration as well as served on Paul Ryan's campaign. On October 28, each of the candidates for the district answered several questions for the Adirondack Daily Enterprise about issues concerning the environment and the Adirondack Park. There are several things that stood out to me while reading Stefanik's responses. First, is that she believes Obama as well as the EPA have overreached their regulations and she would seemingly work to decrease those regulatory acts. Secondly, she seems to put forth several contradictory notions. She says on more than one occasion that she is in favor of all different energy resources including renewable, wind, and solar energy. However, she had stated in a previous interview that she opposed “all federal subsidies to companies for alternative energy projects." In addition, she stands firmly against cap-and-trade, which, according to the Enviromental Defense Fund, is "the most environmentally and economically sensible approach to controlling greenhouse has emissions." The "cap" sets a limit on emissions while the "trade" revolves around the idea that companies receive an economic incentive to pollute less by meeting an allocated limit for carbon emissions. So, while she claims to be pro-renewable energy, it would seem that she is in fact not, or it at least isn't a priority in her eyes. Rather than provide my own political opinion, take a look at her responses and contemplate what her impact on the Adirondacks may be. If you want to read the full interview, click here: http://poststar.com/highlights/elections/2014/general/candidates-differ-on-adirondack-issues/article_fc1b5592-61fe-11e4-b35d-5f95765e06f6.html

One of her more interesting answer was concerning the reintroduction of wolves in the Adirodacks, "I have to learn more about this issue. I believe too often candidates weigh in on issues without fully studying them. I need to further study this issue." The other two candidates gave brief but informed responses that paralleled what we've talked about in class concerning the reintroduction of wolves. 

Question 1: Emissions from coal-fired power plants in the Midwest have destroyed many Adirondack waters and forests, but many say the Environmental Protection Agency’s current tactics to control these emissions are overreaching and part of an Obama administration “war on coal.” What do you think, and what would you do about it if elected?
Stefanik: Our environment is our economy in Northern New York . I will work to protect the environment, but also to encourage a common-sense energy policy in our country. I support an all-of-above energy approach which would make energy more affordable for hard-working families and small businesses and allow renewables, nuclear, wind, solar, biomass, oil and natural gas to thrive. I also believe that the regulatory burdens from the Obama administration have overreached. I believe we should work to assess the negative economic impact of EPA regulations on our small businesses and farms.
 

Question 2: Congressman John McHugh, when he represented this district, drew some controversy among his fellow Republicans by supporting a federal cap-and-trade bill. Meanwhile, New York , eight other northeastern states and three Canadian provinces have participated in a similar arrangement, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, since 2008. Would you support a national cap-and-trade plan, a carbon tax or other measures to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions?
Stefanik: I do not support cap-and-trade. 


Question 5: Should the federal government give preference to cleaner energy sources over fossil fuels, and if so, how much?
Stefanik: Too often the government has spent billions of dollars picking winners in the energy sector, only to find that these companies go bankrupt. This is not good financial stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Both Republican and Democrat presidents have failed to have a comprehensive energy independence policy that reduces our dependence on foreign oil. I support an all-of-above energy approach which would make energy more affordable for hard-working families and small businesses and allow renewables, nuclear, wind, solar, biomass, oil and natural gas to thrive.
Woolf: I will introduce legislation that increases investment in alternative fuels like biomass, which is used to great effect in the 21st District, especially at Fort Drum. Our district has proven the viability and efficiency of clean power generation, and this promising area must not be ignored. Sadly, my Republican opponent opposes “all federal subsidies to companies for alternative energy projects, including wind power,” according to one published interview with her. 

 
Question 8: Do you think there is a good balance of economy and environment in the Adirondack Park now, and if not, how would you like to see it change?
Stefanik: I believe that we need to further encourage year-round economic growth in the Adirondacks . The demographic shifts of the Adirondack Park are disturbing — our school enrollment rates continue to decline, and our population is aging. We must focus on ways to encourage young families to choose to live here, raise their families here, invest here and stay here in retirement. Too often, the economy of the Adirondack Park is limited to tourism. I hope to continue to encourage tourism; I believe that we need to work harder to make sure conservation efforts and economic development work hand in hand so that our youth is not leaving after they graduate high school or college. We can do this by reducing the regulatory burdens facing small businesses, providing incentives for starting new businesses, continuing to cultivate tourism, but also investing in infrastructure like rural broadband.