Governor Bill Richardson (D)

Public Health

Air Pollution [click here to read question thirteen]

“I want real experts on my staff and in the agencies. The White House will demand rigor and science, instead of re-writing agency reports and recommendations to undercut science and the public interest.”

Superfund “Polluter Pays” [click here to read question fourteen]

“This is a critical concept. The Bush Administration negotiated deals in New Mexico (such as the Los Alamos National Lab cleanup) and then de-funded them in the budget process, against my strong and loud objections. The same thing is happening in private cleanups and responsibilities. We have to restore the principle of ‘polluter pays’ not only for private cleanups but for public ones as well.”

Chemical Security [click here to read question fifteen]

“Terrorism is one of my major concerns not only with chemicals, but with nuclear facilities and large oil and natural gas facilities, from LNG ports and tankers to refineries to pipelines. Thus my overall energy policy favors distributed generation (I might have been the only person every to utter those two words on Larry King Live), efficiency, and renewables.”

Clean Water Act [click here to read question sixteen]

“After the SWANCC decision, I directed our environmental agency to keep enforcing the existing definition of wetlands and intermittent water bodies. This is crucial in New Mexico, where we have ‘dry basins’ that do not flow water into adjacent areas but have critical playas and seasonal water bodies that support water quality, unique wildlife and habitat, and migratory animals. Although I got strong pushback from industry, I stuck with it and vocally opposed the Bush Administration’s policies. I think we need legislation to correct these problems and would also enact administrative measures till Congress acts.”

Environmental Justice [click here to read question seventeen]

“1) We need the federal agencies to take this seriously and work together to address EJ issues and decisions affecting EJ. I will build on the Clinton Administration’s foundations to strengthen interagency collaboration on EJ. 2) EJ deserves a stronger role in the legal basis for NEPA. We need to strengthen NEPA so that EJ considerations get the analysis and prominence they deserve. 3) We need funding and policy to increase positive employment opportunities in EJ areas. 4) We need White House and agency staff dedicated to EJ considerations and policy.”

Pesticides and Rural Communities [click here to read question eighteen]

“1) Restore and expand USDA alternative pest management programs, in consultation with an interagency IPM task force created and overseen by executive order. 2) Strengthen EPA/FDA staff and funding so that they can handle the load and operate in an unbiased fashion. 3) New administrative and statutory limitations (as necessary) on egregiously damaging chemicals that have been allowed into the system during these years of failed oversight. 4) Focus on stopping the transfer of non-native species so that pest and weed control becomes less necessary.

2) As Governor I sharply limited pesticide applications and aerial spraying, including vetoing legislative funding for spray-centered programs despite strong lobbying and objections from the farm lobby supporting aerial spraying. I hope readers are getting the sense not only that I have done these things (not just talked about them) and have used my years as Governor to implement a real agenda with a real conservation focus – whatever opposition I encounter.”