Clean Water Currents|Online, Fall 2008, Volume 35, No. 2

With the sun setting on eight years of the most anti-environmental administration in modern history, the to-do list for the next President is a long one. Clean Water Action surveyed our members and staff and here's what we came up with as a short list of priorities for the next administration.

Bring Back The Clean Water Act.

No, the nation's premier 37-year-old law protecting our lakes, rivers, streams and drinking water sources didn't disappear under the Bush administration. But for too many of our waters it went into hiding when the administration issued several bad "guidance" policies. Those came in the wake of confusing Supreme Court decisions. The U.S. House of Representatives Government Oversight Committee is investigating how these "permitting guidelines" are now affecting EPA decisions about Clean Water Act enforcement, but a leaked memo from the agency documented over 300 instances where pollution violations were ignored. The Clean Water Restoration Act is a congressional solution to this problem, and it awaits House and Senate committee action. A new administration should immediately rescind the Bush policies and clarify that the Clean Water Act should protect all the waters of the United States.

Rebuild America with a New Energy Economy

Job One for the new President should be to transform our energy economy. He should immediately announce his support for reductions in global warming pollution on the order of 80 percent by 2050—that's the scientific bottom line to prevent catastrophic climate disruptions. That means more new clean energy jobs if revenues generated from permits regulating carbon emissions and other greenhouse gasses are used to promote the new energy economy. A new administration should call for energy policies that support this effort. For example, at least 20 percent of our electricity should come from renewable sources by 2020. And there's no such thing as 'clean' coal so let's stop swallowing the industry's advertising and start promoting real 'clean' alternatives: wind, solar and energy conservation.

Throw Big Oil Off The Welfare Rolls

Recent figures show that Big Oil got tax breaks to the tune of $18 billion over the last ten years s while enjoying enormous profits and executive salaries. Before topping off the first tank of fuel for Air Force One, the new President should revoke these taxpayer subsidies and make sure Congress extends tax incentives for renewable energy and energy efficient buildings, equipment and appliances. Most are due to expire at the end of this year and Congress, paying more attention to Big Oil's campaign donations than our energy needs, has failed thus far to renew them.

Restore Government Integrity

Broad documentation of suppression, manipulation and distortion of federal science threatens the integrity of public policy decisions throughout the federal government. A new administration should investigate cases of interference and dismantle structural changes that have limited federal scientists' ability to serve the agencies for which they work and the public good.

Big Problems Require Big Thinking

It's not an overstatement to say that the ability of our planet to support life and the ability of our people to enjoy healthy and fulfilling lives is threatened by the way we approach public health and environmental protection. The system needs an overhaul. For example, the way we currently handle toxic chemicals means that the people's government—in the form of the federal Environmental Protection Agency—has to prove a chemical is too harmful or it goes on the market. We think it makes more sense for companies that sell these products and profit from them to demonstrate their safety before turning them loose on the public. Government agencies, companies—all of us—require leadership that imagines new and better ways of doing things and the ability to put ideas into action. We can't afford a 'Heck of a job Brownie' Katrina approach any longer if America is going to continue to compete in a global economy where the health and welfare of average people is improving. American innovation can be nurtured to make those changes possible. It just needs a government that's as good as its people.

by Lynn Thorp

In this issue of Clean Water Currents|Online:

The Electoral Map: Turning Red & Blue to Green

Clean Water Action's community organizers work to turn red and blue into green knowing that this election - from Congressional races to the Presidency - will determine whether or not the country turns the page on congressional gridlock and the Bush era of hostility to environmental issues.

Political Activism Translates to A Better World, A Clean, Safer Environment

John DeCock, Clean Water Action's CEO, explains more about our involvement in the political process, and how we work with supporters to hold government accountable.

The Five Most Important Tasks for the Next President

With the sun setting on eight years of the most anti-environmental administration in modern history, the to-do list for the next President is a long one. Clean Water Action surveyed our members and staff and here's what we came up with as a short list of priorities for the next administration.

On Clean Water, is John McCain George Bush Redux?

A close examination of John McCain's legislative record on clean water issues shows adopting an "anybody but" position on election-day would have far-reaching, negative consequences in a McCain administration.

Our Pick for President

Every presidential election cycle, there's a secret wish that the major party nominees will be as equally good on environmental and conservation issues, so forgoing the need to choose one over the other. That is not the case in 2008.

Path To A Greener Congress Focuses On Eight Battleground States

In addition to electing a president that will make the right choices for America, we need to elect enough congressional members to get us to the veto-proof magic numbers of 60 Senators and 261 Representatives who support protecting our waters, our health and our future through strong environmental policies.

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