Burlington, VT - Peter Welch, candidate for Congress, issued the following statement today on Saturday's 36th annual celebration of Earth Day:

I applaud the thousands gathering around our state and millions around the country who are demanding a safer, cleaner and healthier environment.

The impact of the first Earth Day thirty-six years ago was astonishing. In rapid succession, and with overwhelming bipartisan support, Congress passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Superfund Act.

Unfortunately, under the leadership of President Bush and the Republican Congress we have seen an unprecedented attempt to roll back these important environmental protections. We must renew our commitment to our environment and restore political leadership that is willing to acknowledge the challenges we face and work together to find meaningful, visionary solutions.

I intend to bring our Vermont tradition of environmental protection to Congress. I will take to Washington a commitment to bipartisan cooperation with those who share a desire for preserving and protecting our environment, improving our energy future, ensuring we have clean air and clean water, and addressing climate change.

Striving Toward Energy Independence by 2020. Over the last five years, at the behest of big oil and gas companies, the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress have pursued a 19th century energy policy focusing on fossil fuels. Meanwhile, oil has soared past $70 a barrel and Vermonters are paying record prices at the pump. We need an energy policy that works for all of us, not just for the oil and gas industry. A bipartisan energy summit should be convened to set a new direction for our energy future. Creating an energy policy that promotes renewable sources and increases our independence is critical for improving national security, economic prosperity, environmental protection, and social equity.

Fighting Efforts to Weaken Environmental Regulations that Harm Vermont's Air and Water. With no objection by the Republican led Congress, the Bush Administration has pushed through regulations that weaken anti-pollution requirements for old, dirty power plants upwind from Vermont. Yet hundreds of thousands suffer each year from asthma attacks, cardiac problems, and respiratory problems from power plant pollution and acid rain spoils the environment downwind. For Vermont and for our nation, we must work to restore tough clean air regulations.

We also must ensure adequate funding for clean water programs, as the Bush Administration's FY 2007 budget proposes cutting the Clean Water State Revolving Fund by 22 percent. These funds support programs in Vermont and nationally for water quality protection, wastewater treatment, non-point source pollution control, and watershed management.

We must continue pressuring the Republican leadership to enact rules that will address the mercury that is contaminating our watersheds. Bowing to the interests of the polluting industries, the Bush Administration issued new rules that postpone any real reductions in mercury. In Vermont, the state legislature has fought to reduce mercury pollution, a poison that contaminates our water, soil, and food supply.

Fighting to Protect Our Public Lands. Once again, the Bush Administration and Republican Congress have worked to expose the Arctic Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling. Rather than trying to drill our way out of our energy problems, Congress must support funding for energy alternatives that can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. President Bush was correct to say our nation is addicted to oil. His support of an energy summit could provide bipartisan leadership for an energy policy that gives a new direction for meeting our nation's energy needs.

Providing American Leadership in the International Effort to Reduce Global Warming. With each passing month, there is growing scientific evidence of global warming and the effects of greenhouse gases. Yet the Bush White House and Republican Congress continue to discount this problem. We must join our world allies and lead in the international effort to reduce global warming. This collaboration should be the first of many steps we take to rebuild our relationships with our allies.

Solutions to our environmental and energy challenges are within our reach. If we have a commitment to working together for the best interests of all Americans, and if we have a will to succeed, our lasting legacy to the next generation can be a road map for energy independence and lasting environmental protection.

Each year Earth Day offers us the chance to reflect on our past accomplishments and provides needed inspiration for improving our environmental policy for our future. This Earth Day should mark the dawn of a renewed commitment to environmental protection. We can start by electing new leadership in Congress committed to this important goal.