Ruth Samuelson
1143 Andover Road
Charlotte, NC 28211
Phone: 704-277-5221
Email info@ruthsamuelson.com

Environmental Issues

 

North Carolina has been blessed with all that nature has to offer. 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. This must be done with a balance of sensible and sustainable government regulation coupled with individual action and market forces.The private sector is willing and able to help. 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. Ruth sponsored a County Environment Leadership Policy that says the County should implement pro-environment policies in their own facilities before mandating that businesses do so. Projects such as the Little Sugar Creek Greenway and the National Whitewater Center increase our recreational opportunities, preserve our natural resources and create private sector jobs.

Environmental issues impact our state, our county, our city and our personal lives.  Ruth is committed to responsible State actions to leave a legacy of a better environment for the children of North Carolinians. 

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

  1. 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.
  1. 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 and are helping to reduce pollution and improve our air.  Less expansive efforts, like Ruth's diesel bus bill, help contribute to better air quality. 
  1. 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.
  2. 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
 

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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