CONGRESSWOMAN CANDICE MILLER
Climate Change Policies and Michigan

Promoting clean air, clean water and energy conservation have always been top priorities of mine throughout my career in public service. The Great Lakes in particular have been one of my principal advocacies, and I am proud of my record of introducing and supporting "green" and environmentally sound legislation aimed at protecting the lakes and the rest of our country's precious natural resources.

In the wake of numerous devastating hurricanes in the gulf region, the environmental debate has turned towards the issue of climate change and global warming. Questions abound as to how much damage has been done, and how we can effectively reverse this damage. A Congressional Climate Change panel was recently formed in Congress to examine the issue and potential solutions, and I actively sought and won an appointment on this important body. The reason I did this is because I believe it is vitally important for Michigan to have a seat at the table during climate-change discussions because many of the proposed solutions would have a devastating impact on Michigan's economy.

Foremost, among these proposals are the imposition of draconian and arbitrary fuel efficiency standards on the domestic auto industry. These standards would force our auto makers to focus research and development dollars to improving old technology instead of moving forward on exciting new and innovative solutions that would do a great deal more to solve the problem. They would also put us at further disadvantage to foreign competitors and cost Michigan jobs.

When examining sound environmental policy, we must look at a whole range of clean energies that will advance our economy and protect our environment. The further use of nuclear, solar and wind energy are clean alternatives that will be of tremendous benefit to the consumer, while advocating further use of bio-fuels such as ethanol and bio-diesel will benefit not only the Big 3, but also those engaged in agriculture, which is our state's second leading industry.

I believe it is very important, too, that we use sound science in crafting solutions, while at the same time focusing on the impact they might have on our state's economic viability and jobs. I look forward to engaging my colleagues fully in this debate and advocating not only for a cleaner environment, but for the preservation of American jobs.

If you wish to contact Congresswoman Miller you may reach her in Washington, D.C. at 228 Cannon Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; Phone: 202-225-2106; Fax: 202-226-1169. You may also reach her in Michigan at Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township, MI 48317; Phone: 586-997-5010; Fax: 586-997-5013.