The mountains, rivers, lakes, plains, forests and beautiful coastal area will be our legacy to our children and grandchildren. It’s our obligation to ensure that these natural resources are there for future generations.By protecting our resources today, we help preserve them for tomorrow.
Environmental protection does not mean that we create a negative atmosphere for businesses to flourish.Good environmental planning makes good economic sense and should be a win/win situation for everyone.
Green Government Leader Award
Ruth's extensive legislative and personal commitment to protect our environment let to her being named the 2008 winner of the Charlotte Business Journal's "Green Government Leader Award". The awards are designed to "identify companies, non profits and individuals who are taking important steps to incorporate environmentally sustainable practices into their businesses and community work."
Environmental Committee Service
Ruth serves on every standing North Carolina House environment committee: Natural and Economic Resources Appropriations, Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Energy and Energy Efficiency Committee, and Environmental Review Commission.
Ruth's Positions on the Environment
- Preservation and Conservation.
Preservation and conservation are less expensive in the long run than cleaning up an environmental problem after the fact.Private land easements can help with this process.
- Air Quality.
Air quality has been a long standing urban problem that is beginning to affect rural communities. The State Clean Smokestacks Bill and the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (SB3) passed in 2007 are helping to reduce pollution and improve our air. Less expansive efforts, like my diesel bus bill, help contribute to better air quality.
- Water Quality and Quantity
Water quality and quantity are a growing problem and will soon surpass both energy and air quality in importance.
NC has always been blessed with abundant water but a growing economy and climate change are stressing this critical resource. Other states have dealt with this for years and have proven that solutions are available if we don’t wait too long.
Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources
Alternative and renewable energy sources should be encouraged.This includes “carbon clean” nuclear energy. Every energy source has relative costs and benefits to the environment, including nuclear power. We must fairly evaluate all the options do meet the growing demand for energy.
Highlights of Ruth’s environmental activities
Ruth’s environmental leadership has affected the quality of our environmental resources in the state, the Charlotte region, and in Ruth’s personal life.Her activities and sponsorships include the following:
In the State
House Bill 1912: Ruth was the originator and primary sponsor for House Bill 1912, "School Bus Retrofits in Nonattainment Areas". This bill passed into law with a $500,000 state appropriation and qualifies for up to $2,000,000 in federal matching money. As a pilot program, this will clean up the dirty exhaust in and around school buses in counties like Mecklenburg with poor air quality.
She also sponsored:
• HB 393 - Charlotte Water and Sewer Facilities (primary sponsor) passed as S403 - design build
• HB 526 - Income Tax Credit - Energy Efficient Homes.
• HB 666 - Building Permit Reductions/Rebates
(primary) senate passed
• HB 1074 - Renewable Energy Credit - 501(c)(3). (primary sponsor)
• HB 1075 - Energy Conservation in State Buildings. Senate passed
• HB 1115 - Swine Farm Environmental Performance Standards/Funds.
• HB 1825 - Study Electric Power Issues (primary sponsor)
• HB 1979 - University Renewable Energy Funding.
• HB 2002 - Clarify Property Tax For Conservation Land.
In other activities, Ruth was a Planning Task Force member on the Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State. Work began in 2007 for the February 2008 statewide conference on “Energy Futures: North Carolina’s Economic Opportunities.”
As a county commissioner, Ruth was instrumental in initiating discussions among government and non-profit leaders to connect our various county trails into one regional trail system. Originally referenced as the “Catawba Regional Trail,” this vision grew in time to become the “Carolina Thread Trail.”
In The Charlotte Region
As a Commissioner in Mecklenburg County (2000-2004), Ruth authored the creation and adoption of the Mecklenburg County Environmental Leadership Policy for the County Commissioners. This base, laid in January 2004, has helped open the doors to an energy benchmark study of Mecklenburg County facilities, development of a low emission / fuel efficient vehicle replacement policy, and more than 400 acres of runoff to be treated through new restoration projects along Little Sugar Creek
At Home
Ruth carries her environmental spirit home, too. She says, “It is one thing to be a good environmentalist when people are watching, and it says something else when you put these philosophies into practice at home.” At Ruth’s home:
• 90% of bulbs are Compact Fluorescent Lights.
• Uses the minimum temperature on the HVAC and water heaters.
• Installed window film on “hot” windows to reduce heat build-up in the summer.
• Practices full recycling and pre-cycling of cans, glass, plastic and paper.
• Captures and reuses eligible “grey water”.
• Uses low-flush toilets.
• Has rain barrels for yard use.
• Was an early owner of the Toyota Prius Hybrid automobile.
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