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Alan's Positions
THE ENVIRONMENT
We rely on clean air, water and land for
sustenance, the aesthetic beauty of nature for enjoyment and
contemplation, and species variety with regard to respect for life and
for eco-balance.
In Washington, I will be a strong advocate
for the environment supporting legislation that would:
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Direct the United States government to
lead the world in efforts to set goals regarding reductions in
greenhouse emissions
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Set aggressive goals towards reducing
our dependency on fossil fuels which includes provide funding for
research into cheaper, cleaner and more cost –effective forms of
energy. This funding would enable researchers to develop these
alternatives, entrepreneurs to implement them, and consumers to
adopt them
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Set aggressive goals toward vehicle
emissions reduction
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Support eco-friendly mass transportation
alternatives
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Support tax incentives for consumers
that conserve and recycle
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Engage a Federal “Good Housekeeping”
seal of approval program that would enable consumers to be more
informed of the practices of the businesses from which they buy
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Protect species from extinction
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Preserve our national parks, natural
resources and valuable wetlands
Experience: MPCA Advisory, Taking a
Company Green, Research & Teaching, Writing
I am a strong advocate for the environment
and I have always emphasized environmental stewardship in my teaching and
writing. I have seriously studied the potential impacts of human
activity on the environment, and believes that we need to do whatever we
can to support a sustainable world. Moreover, through my professional
experience, I have seen firsthand how government and industry can work
together to accomplish environmental goals. I have also seen firsthand
how “green” business is good business.
In the early 1990s, I played a pivotal role
in helping to make a company green. I assisted the company with
negotiations with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the
compilation of permitting applications, and in the application for
Office of Waste Management grants. I also worked with environmental
consultants in setting up systems to track volatile organic compound
(VOC) and particulate emissions and maintained those systems. This
company’s standing in the business community substantially improved
because of their aggressive compliance efforts. In the late 1990s,
I also met with MPCA leadership regarding their concerns about the
effective implementation of their new 21st century
environmental initiatives (Goal21). Lastly, my book, “Empower Your
Self; A Framework for Personal Success” emphasizes environmental
stewardship.
Personal Applications
Personally, I am trying to do what I can to
contribute to environmental stewardship. This
includes recycling, using an electric lawnmower, biking and riding an
electric scooter when possible, using energy efficient florescent bulbs
throughout my house, never using chemicals to enhance my lawn, keeping
the thermostat low in winter, limited use of air conditioning in summer,
et cetera. |
