We owe it to our nation and to future generations to leave our world in a better condition than we found it.  Real leadership is necessary to make important decisions based on the long-term environmental benefits for America.

     As Mayor of Portsmouth, I have taken the initiative and worked to make our city a national leader on environmental protection and energy efficiency.  Our newly constructed library is the only Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified public building in the state.  New city construction will also follow LEED guidelines.  Our municipal vehicle fleet is moving to bio-diesel fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  In all of these developments, Portsmouth is doing the right thing - and taxpayers are saving money.

     We must make it a national priority to develop sustainable and renewable domestic energy sources and increase our energy efficiency across all sectors of our economy.  With the right plan, we can halt global warming, stimulate our economy and improve our national security.  The work being done in Portsmouth shows that we can make a difference.

     I am in favor of creating higher fuel efficiency (CAFE) standards for American-made vehicles.  This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage our automotive industry to adapt and to intensify efforts to produce energy-efficient, low-emissions vehicles that are market competitive.

     I strongly oppose slash-and-burn policies like oil exploration in Alaska's National Wildlife Refuge, which will provide very limited oil resources at a great environmental cost.  Our priority must be to develop alternative resources, not raze our precious national resources to support short-term, unsustainable energy policy.