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April 21, 2004

‘Old West,’ ‘New West’ Come Head-to-Head

Much has been written about the search for balance between environmental protection and economic prosperity. In my region of the country, this debate sometimes boils down to mythic descriptions of the “old West” versus the “new West.” The old West is colored by the language of “manifest destiny” and places emphasis on exploiting natural resources for economic profit. In contrast, the new West is supposed to be about scenic playgrounds, tourism and woodsy landscapes for vacation homes. Policy makers from both parties and across ideological fault lines sometimes frame their ideas with the suggestion that the new West is slowly replacing the old West as a stereotype and metaphor for the future.

‘Old Myths’ Block Economic Progress

The world has become more advanced in the past two decades than in its entire history. Americans, especially now, live in an age in which technology, coupled with a prospering economy, produces tangible improvements in quality of life and the environment. We know now that the world’s most prosperous nations are the most technologically advanced and thus the most environmentally friendly.

‘Old Myths’ Block Economic Progress

The world has become more advanced in the past two decades than in its entire history. Americans, especially now, live in an age in which technology, coupled with a prospering economy, produces tangible improvements in quality of life and the environment. We know now that the world’s most prosperous nations are the most technologically advanced and thus the most environmentally friendly.

Administration Must Address Mercury Risks

Before President Bush took office, the American people were finally going to see progress toward cleaning up dirty power plants. Thanks to the Clean Air Act — one of the most far-sighted and bipartisan environmental laws of the 20th century — the toxic mess belched from these smoke stacks was getting a control regimen. The Clinton administration was working toward a strong and swift pollution clampdown for mercury, one of the most harmful toxics around. Downwind states were especially thankful that we were going to get a reprieve from decades of dumping-ground status.

Finding a Balance

When President Bush plucked Mike Leavitt from his post as Utah governor to become the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency, it marked a dramatic change from the leadership of Christine Todd Whitman. Eyed suspiciously by environmentalists, Leavitt brought a ready-made philosophy to the post. Dubbed “Enlibra” from the Latin word for “moving toward balance,” Leavitt touts the approach as favoring collaboration among competing interests over confrontation. With a 500-day plan for addressing environmental concerns being put into place, he joined Roll Call’s Morton M. Kondracke to assess the administration’s performance.

White House Stymies EPA Mission

Both Earth Day and the Environmental Protection Agency were born in 1970, created from the need to clean up and protect our environment. While Earth Day draws public awareness, the EPA is the federal agency ultimately responsible for the day-to-day protection of our environment. On this Earth Day, I think it is fitting to examine the way the Bush administration is undermining the EPA’s years of hard-won achievements in carrying out and enforcing our nation’s bipartisan environmental laws.

Balanced Approach Is Necessary

America is blessed with an abundance of land and water resources. These resources support food production, energy production, manufacturing and transportation. They also support recreation and sustain our natural environment. The challenge we all face is to both manage and develop our resources.

Lead Crisis Exposed Problems Within EPA

The nation’s capital will greet Earth Day this year with a lead water crisis. Lead may be the coming attraction or may be playing unnoticed in the water supply elsewhere in the nation.

U.S. Food Supply Is World’s Safest

Americans enjoy the safest, most abundant, diverse and affordable food supply in the world. This is due in part to efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as other agencies of the federal government including the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, to follow a scientific approach in administering their respective food safety programs. This approach has resulted in tangible public health benefits for consumers, as seen by the 16 percent decline in foodborne illness over the past six years. Despite this fact, however, we must never be content to rest on our laurels.

Communities Need Smart Growth

Like it or not, the federal government has played a major role in shaping the places Americans live. Too often federal intervention has been to limit Americans’ choices of where to live and how to travel and to diminish the quality of life in their communities, rather than to increase choices and to promote livability.