I have a few items on Senator Voinovich to pass along today...
The latest column from the senator is up over at Butler County Bugle: Voinovich's View: "Ohioan's Speak Out Over Gas Prices" Senator Voinovich was on a conference call today. The topic:The McCain-Palin campaign today announced the Coalition to Protect Coal Jobs, a nationwide group including members of Congress, state government and other influential leaders. The coalition will help spread the message about the importance of clean coal technology and the advantages of tapping the country's vast coal reserves. As part of John McCain's "all of the above" energy plan, the Lexington Project, clean coal will be a strong component of the drive to energy independence. In addition to providing domestic energy, the coal industry is a key part of the economy in several states, including Ohio.
Joe Biden visited Virginia on Saturday, saying that he was a "hard-coal miner" and that it was "nice to be back in coal country" -- but just two days later in Ohio, Senator Biden said he wants "no coal plants here in America" and that he and Senator Obama are "not supporting clean coal."
I hear it was particularly good too. Look to the Columbus Dispatch for coverage of that. Press release on the passing of the Great Lakes Compact:WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Carl Levin (D-Mich) and George Voinovich (R-Ohio) -- co-chairs of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force -- today praised House passage of the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River Water Basin Resources Compact, a historic measure that establishes in federal law a general ban on new water diversions from the Great Lakes Basin. The joint resolution, which was authored by Levin and Voinovich, was approved by the Senate in August. The legislation will now go to the President to be signed into law.
“Nature has given us so much in the Great Lakes. By passing the Great Lakes Water Compact, we are building on the protections of existing law to preserve this precious resource, ensuring sensible use now so that future generations can benefit from the Great Lakes as we do,” Sen. Levin said. “I’m glad the Senate and House both took such quick action on this bill, which enjoyed great bipartisan support.”
“Today’s passage is incredible news and is necessary to protect one of our nation’s greatest natural resources,” Sen. Voinovich said. “The Great Lakes are so important for Ohioans—for our drinking water, shipping, tourism and recreation. The Great Lakes Compact will now become law, keeping control of the lakes in the hands of the states that surround them and value them the most.”
In 2000, Congress passed legislation directing the governors of the Great Lakes states – Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin – to negotiate a water management agreement. In 2005, the eight Great Lakes governors, in coordination with the Canadian Premiers of Ontario and Quebec, completed negotiations on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact.
Each of the eight Great Lakes legislatures considered and approved the Compact, which will protect the Great Lakes through better water management, conservation and public involvement. Congressional passage, along with the President’s signature, will allow the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Water Basin Water Resources Compact to achieve full force as an interstate compact.
The Compact includes the following:
A general ban on new diversions of water from the Basin, but limited exceptions could be allowed in communities near the Basin when rigorous standards are met;
Communities that apply for an exception will have a clear, predictable decision making process; standards to be met; and opportunities to appeal decisions. These processes and standards do not exist under current law;
The states will use a consistent standard to review proposed uses of Basin water. The states will have flexibility regarding their water management programs and how to apply this standard;
Regional goals and objectives for water conservation and efficiency will be developed and they will be reviewed every five years. Each state will develop and implement a consistent water conservation and efficiency program that may be voluntary or mandatory; and
Economic development will be fostered through sustainable use and responsible management of Basin waters.
In April, Sen. Voinovich led a letter with the Ohio Delegation urging the Ohio State Senate to support legislation to implement the compact and was very pleased to see that they passed it, joining in the quest to restore and protect the lakes for generations to come.
Lastly, and sadly, I must admit that before I got a good contact with Team Voinovich, I often though like this liberal blogger: if Team Voinovich were a business, I would boycott too. The tendency might be to overlook that piece if you are a Team Voinovicher...I wouldn't if I were you as there is a good lesson or two in what Jeff has to say. And that is today's Voinovich Update...
