My response to the Sierra Club questionaire

SIERRA CLUB OHIO STATE CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE – 2008
In order to ensure a timely evaluation of your responses as well as speed the endorsement process, we request that you answer all questions in an electronic format (Microsoft Word documents preferred). Please be sure to number your responses according to the question being answered.
Your responses will be considered privileged and confidential, and will only be seen by Sierra Club volunteers and staff.
Please email your completed questionnaire to: larry.schartman@ohio.sierraclub.org. Please direct any questions to Brandi Whetstone in our Columbus office: 614-461-0734 x311.

Good Governance
Ohio's state government must work to protect all of her residents and not be captive to a few special interests. Ohio has been the subject of a petition to the US EPA because of Ohio’s failures to implement and enforce environmental laws. Ohio also has major challenges in meeting ozone and particulate standards sufficient to protect human health and insuring our rivers meet water quality standards.
1. As a representative of Ohio’s government, will you work to protect Ohioan's health and our ecosystems by aggressively sponsoring and supporting environmental laws which are intended to protect public health?
Yes. As a self-employed small businessman for the past 22 years in the environmental field I am accustomed to and supportive of environmental laws and work well with those public employees working to enforce them. My experience has taught me not only the ecological benefits but also the economic benefits of strong environmental policy.
2. Will you protect the right of Ohio to pass environmental rules, permit regulations and laws that are more stringent than federal environmental standards?
Absolutely. Weakening of environmental regulation at the federal level has serious implications for Ohio’s future and must be resisted at the state level.
3. How will you work to change the culture at Ohio EPA and to insure that Ohio EPA enforces environmental laws?
Experienced leadership from those of us coming from the private sector will be instrumental in combining our common interests. A massive education effort to re-establish our priorities to recognize the challenges we face will be necessary and greatly facilitated by a legislator with my bsckground. OEPA must be guaranteed full enforcement capabilities and physically and financially supported in their mission.


Protecting Ohio’s Natural Heritage
Ohio ranks 47th lowest in the nation for the amount of public land per capita and needs to prioritize purchasing and protecting our natural heritage for future generations. Many of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources programs are intended to increase timbering and mineral extraction while there are few to protect natural resources. Current practices allow logging on state and federal forests of Ohio and highway projects threaten forests by seeking passage through these last remaining vestiges of wildness. Other projects also threaten Ohio’s wild and scenic rivers and water supplies.
For example, growing corn-based ethanol uses large amounts of herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers and the agricultural run-off poisons rivers, lakes and streams. Also, ethanol refineries require large quantities of fresh water – 4 gallons of fresh water input for every gallon of ethanol output – and, with no supply evaluation required in the permitting process, some Ohio communities could face fresh water starvation.
4. Would you support legislation that would require water surveys to be completed prior to permitting any new ethanol refineries?
Yes. As a wastewater professional I recognize the impact short-sighted development may have on our natural resources. It is also useful to mention the increased consumption of fuel required to raise these crops. If we are to successfully implement the increased production and use of alternative fuels we must place much weight on long-term sustainability. I favor increased funding for research and development of butanol rather than ethanol.
5. What initiatives would you undertake to protect Ohio’s natural resources for future generations?
Supporting the Ohio Department of Health’s plan for new rules for Household Sewage Treatment Systems, critical for compliance with the Clean Water Act, strict control of logging in Ohio’s state and national forests and guaranteed protection for Ohio’s old growth forests, Reconsideration of permits for gasification plants such as AMP Ohio’s proposed fossil fuel generation plant in Meigs County and coal mining along the Ohio River. I would work to initiate substantial tax credits for consumer’s using on-site renewable energy technology. Explore funding for ODNR through bottle deposit laws, earmarked funds and certain limited user fees, among other methods.

6. Will you oppose legislation to allow increased logging and drilling on lands controlled by ODNR?
Yes
7. Will you initiate/support legislation that encourages protections for forested lands while allocating funding for future land acquisitions that will act to increase forest resources for the future of Ohio?
Yes, but with insistence that “forest resources” are to benefit the general public and not solely private industry.
8. Would you support the withholding of highway funds for new or expanded projects that endanger Ohio’s designated state and national wild and scenic rivers?
Yes, to be considered on an individual basis, however economic development must learn to co-exist in a manner that guarantees protection for these irreplaceable public waterways. It is my perspective that protection of “our” wild and scenic rivers trumps the interests of corporations and special interests.

Healthy Ohio Cities
Ohio's cities are threatened from without by sprawl and from within by crumbling infrastructure. Many of Ohio’s 21st century cities have 19th century sewer systems that cannot support the growth that suburban development places on them. This results in untreated sewage in our rivers and streams. Ohio’s forest, farmland and green spaces are being destroyed by sprawl, while urban areas are losing housing, jobs and population to the sprawling exurbs.
9. How will you help to reverse these trends as a state legislator?
First we must secure funding. Considering that we are competing with a growing number of needs for finite resources we must consider how to redirect current financial resources and find new ones. Combined sewer systems (sanitary and storm sewers in one trunk line) are a current crisis and must be corrected. I do not favor privatizing our infrastructure services to raise capital for other needs. I do however favor prioritizing certain needs, infrastructure being one of them, and making funding decisions accordingly.
10. What programs will you promote to encourage cities to re-invest in our urban centers and in current infrastructures, rather than building new development outside our towns and cities?
First and foremost would be accelerated development of public transportation. Harsh economic realities, illustrated by runaway fuel prices will require rebirth of cities to minimize travel while creating more local and regional economies Greenovating inner-city neighborhoods will not only offer affordable housing and aesthetic social, economic and culture centers but can offer new opportunities in economic development serving the construction and infrastructure institutions.
11. Do you support measures to help Ohio’s cities eliminate sewer overflows into homes and rivers and clean up Ohio’s waterways so we reach or exceed clean water standards?
Yes. Although great strides have been made in creating regional sewer districts that eliminate many storm-surge problems, and the Ohio Dept. of Health is re-drafting new Household Sewage Treatment System rules to improving receiving waters’ quality, continued improvement will require commitment in the face of tough funding decisions, once again a question of priorities and political will.

Smart Transportation and Energy Choices for a Safe and Secure Ohio
Energy and transportation costs make up a large component of most Ohio family's expenses and with oil and natural gas supplies depleting these costs will only increase, leaving Ohioans poorer in the process. Giving Ohioans transportation and energy choices will afford them needed financial security here at home and reduce our energy dependence from abroad. The outputs from energy production and transportation are also Ohio’s major source of pollution. Reducing these pollutants by implementing efficient energy and transportation programs will leave Ohioans safer and healthier.
Energy efficiency is the quickest, easiest, cleanest, and most secure way to meet our energy needs. It is also our cheapest energy option. Energy efficiency programs also create local jobs. It is estimated that 21.5 jobs are created for every $1 million invested in energy efficiency.
12. Do you support annual 2% natural gas and electric efficiency saving standards based on cost-effectiveness tests that ensure the programs save money?
Most consumers, when they have access to reliable information support conservation efforts and are willing to make the necessary commitments. I see the proof of it every day in my business. However, we must confront the “notion” that the science is still out on the subject in order to make real progress. I would enthusiastically support the necessary research to develop and disseminate the defining information and institute policy.
Co-generation (Co-Gen) or Combined Heat and Power is the process where waste heat produced in existing industrial processes is captured and put to productive uses. It is estimated that between 5% and 10% of Ohio’s electric needs can be met using Co-Gen and at 1/3 the cost of building new coal-fired power plants. Ohio is far behind other Midwestern states in developing Co-Gen and changes in Ohio law are necessary.

13. Do you support holding hearings on changing Ohio law to increase the development and use of Co-Gen?
Co-Gen is useful in moving toward a sustainable power gen system. It can be developed rather quickly given that a good deal of the generation and transmission components are already in place. I would caution however that marketing tends to “sell” these types of improvements, and they are substantial improvements, as some sort of panacea for our problems. While employing systems such as go-gen we must remain focused on long-term sustainability that eventually makes fossil-fueled power generation a distant secondary system. I would certainly support efforts to increase development and use.

Reducing residential and commercial building energy use can save Ohioans money and slow the process of global warming. In fact, “zero energy” buildings are feasible by 2030 according to the American Institute of Architects. While encouraging the design, development, and production of these energy saving structures will be complex there is cause for hope but more must be done.
14. Would you support holding hearings and investigations to determine what must be done to promote building more energy saving structures in Ohio?
Yes. There is more at stake than only environmental concern but also greatly needed economic opportunity.

The Ohio Hub proposed by the Ohio Rail Development Commission is a high speed train system which would serve at least four inter-city travel corridors. The Ohio Hub will reduce pollution and create jobs. Preliminary analysis shows that the Ohio Hub could create as much as 6,600 construction jobs, 6,000 indirect jobs and 1,500 permanent rail operating jobs.
15. Do you support the Ohio Hub?
Yes! Development of public transportation is a top priority and will have far-ranging benefits from mere economical travel to efficient delivery of health care services. Sustainable solutions, my friends!

In a typical urban area at least half of the hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide pollutants come from mobile sources, such as cars, planes and trucks. Several regions (e.g. four Southwest Ohio counties) cannot meet the U.S. EPA’s new stricter standards for ozone. Public transit works to reduce the amount of toxic air pollution by reducing commuter traffic.
16. How do you see yourself increasing public transit and freight rail in light of the increases in fuel costs and toxics and air pollution from existing auto and truck based transportation and do you support investing state dollars in public transportation projects in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Dayton?

In my business (wastewater services) I use heavy trucks and travel in high mileage situations. I am part of the problem we face, making competing interests find common ground. Dedicating capital expenditure to improve efficiency is laudable and fairly easy given the current economic environment. I believe however that we all will have to give great consideration to the development of more local and regional economies, that is staying closer to home as a new business model. Some essential commercial travel will always be necessary and unavoidable, so we must develop the bulk of our transportation services with every day travel in mind, serving the public on a broad, perhaps unlimited basis. A trip on the I-71 or the I-70 corridor will certainly convince oneself of the need to invest public transportation dollars along that route. I would also mention the quality of life aspect involved in more hours spent daily in traffic in long commutes readily alleviated by fast, efficient rail travel.
Hike/bike trails provide both recreational opportunities, support environmentally sound economic development and offer an alternative to cars for short trips.

17. How would you support the extension of Ohio’s hike/bike networks?

With many new trails being built in many locales, urban, suburban and rural I am conflicted on this issue. I do have concern that trails being built on established or newly abandoned rail right-of-ways may limit development of light rail opportunities. I fully support trail development with this consideration in mind.

Ohio’s Endangered Treasure – Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the most biologically productive of the Great Lakes and her tourism alone brought in $7.4 billion dollars to the state economy. As in the 50's and 60's Lake Erie is once again suffering: dead zones resulting from phosphorus and nitrate pollution, unsafe mercury levels in fish, massive fish kills at power plant intakes, destruction of native species by invasive ones and over development of shorelines. Lake Erie can best be defended with common sense regulation and lobbing important stakeholders – specifically: The International Joint Commission, The Great Lakes Council of Governors, The Great Lakes Regional Collaborative, The Ohio Congressional Delegation, and The Ohio Legislature.
18. Will you support the implementation of the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and will you work to provide state funding in support of Great Lakes Restoration Agreement?
Yes. I view the Lake as infrastructure, not for sale and deserving of proper maintenance. As a Cleveland native and someone who travels there regularly on business I am very conscious of Lake Erie’s traditional importance, economically, ecologically, socially and aesthetically.
19. Will you support an agreement to end open lake dumping of dredge materials?
As a wastewater professional I find this practice abhorrent and entirely unnecessary.
20. Will you call for more stringent rules and regulations to reduce fish kills caused by power plant intakes, including mandating cooling towers?
One of the problems I have with coal-fired power plants is that they are almost always located on our public waterways! One way to reduce fish kills would be to reduce the number of power plants. Yes, I would support these types of regulations.
21. Will you support a permanent ban on oil and gas drilling in or on Lake Erie?
Yes, unequivocally.

Environmental LeadershipThe Sierra Club is America’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization. It works to elect candidates who will lead the fight in protecting our communities and natural surroundings. Candidates supported by the Sierra Club include those who champion legislation that protects our clean air, clean water, and special wild places; speak out against environmentally destructive measures; lobby colleagues around important environmental bills and amendments; are active on an environmental committee; or otherwise work to protect America’s natural heritage.
22. What has been your greatest environmental achievement?


As a self-employed small businessman I have worked in the wastewater industry for the past 22+ years. I have not only educated myself and raised my own awareness, but I have been afforded the opportunity of educating the public and helping them to make decisions based on sound, sustainable ecological principle. I have found common ground on which to build trust relationships that we might work together to promote a healthy, sustainable, high quality future for ourselves, our children and all that follow after. Often times economic considerations factor into our consumer decisions, I feel my success has been in partnering with my customers to make the right decisions because we want to, not solely because we must.