These are highlights Ruth’s 2007 record of environmental performance:
House Bill 1912:Ruth was the primary sponsor for House Bill 1912, “School Bus Retrofits in Nonattainment Areas” which 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 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, Samuelson 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.”
In the Charlotte Region, Samuelson was a Commissioner in Mecklenburg County (2000-2004).She 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 do 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
Additionally, the Carolina Thread Trail was announced in November 2007. 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.”
Samuelson 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 water while getting shower warm and reuses the water in the toilet.
- Uses low-flush toilets.
- Has rain barrels for yard use.
- Ruth was fourth on the local opening waiting list before the Prius was available for sale.
