Senator Chris Dodd (D)

Environment in a Larger Context

International Trade Agreements [click here to read question twenty-seven]

"Yes."

Federal Pre-emption of State Laws [click here to read question twenty-eight]

"Yes."

World population [click here to read question twenty-nine]

"Yes."

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) [click here to read question thirty]

“I have been a long-time strong supporter of NEPA and of efforts to ensure adequate funding for NEPA initiatives. I have always believed that the federal government must lead the way in ensuring that its policies and procedures are informed by consideration of the environmental impacts of its decisions, and by sound science. NEPA is a cornerstone of our efforts to ensure that result. It is an essential tool to help federal agencies plan and manage federal actions responsibly, guaranteeing that agencies consider the environmental impacts of their actions prior to taking them. It is also an important mechanism to ensure appropriate public input into federal decision-making -- consultation which is too often lacking under this administration. I would take immediate steps to strengthen public participation requirements; and to tighten environmental review, permitting and similar processes under NEPA, and would overturn (administratively where possible and legislatively where necessary) key so-called NEPA ‘streamlining’ efforts imposed recently by the Bush administration and its allies in Congress.”