Highlights of Ruth’s environmental activities
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. This pilot program will clean up the dirty exhaust in and around school buses in counties like Mecklenburg with poor air quality.
S600, H1080: Condemnation of Conservation Easements - Senator Dan Clodfelter and Ruth sponsored companion bills in the House and Senate to create a fair and reasonable process for public condemnations that involve lands protected with a conservation or historic preservation easement. You may not be aware that the NC Constitution states that it is the policy of our state to conserve and protect its lands and waters for the benefit of all its citizens. Yet our current laws concerning public condemnations do not recognize this preference, leaving these properties at increased risk of condemnation. One supporter of the bill was quoted as saying that “in the long run this will turn out to be THE most significant piece of legislation for the protection of easement properties.”
She also sponsored:
• HB 1257 - Medium Speed Vehicles - referred to the Committee on Finance 04/09
• HB 349 - Energy Savings Contracts' Cap Program Administration (S304) - referred to the Committee on Energy and Energy Efficiency 03/09
• HB 284 - Extend Renewable Energy Credit Sunset - referred to Committee on Energy and Energy Efficiency 02/09
• 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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