Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 7, 1995 TAG: 9508070071
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Jeffrey L. Smith, Lynchburg.
The background:
Allen has come under fire from environmentalists for making the state Department of Environmental Quality too business-friendly. He has streamlined procedures and allowed for more self-policing by companies. He also has challenged the jurisdiction of the federal Environmental Protection Agency in Virginia.
The General Assembly's role:
The General Assembly passes the state's environmental laws.
The answers
The question was directed to the candidates for the state Senate seat that covers Bedford, Bedford County, Lynchburg and Amherst County.
Barbara Coleman (D): "No business is more important than the environment. Business cannot exist for long unless there is consideration and care given to protect the environment by them and the system as well.
"What I see is that the legislators have to be careful ... in what they do because they are the ones who have to guarantee that the environment is safe, but they're also the ones that encourage business growth. They have a real tough role to play.
"I can't say I agree with all that Gov. Allen has done because I don't have all the facts. I know in particular, I disagree with him on the Lake Gaston issue. I really think something more could have been done to provide Virginia Beach with water and also provide the people in the Roanoke River basin with the potential for growth that would not be impaired by that."
Del. Steve Newman (R): "To answer your question, let me say this: Virginia needs a clean, strong environment. Virginia also needs an environment that is conducive to humans and jobs.
"For many years, the state of Virginia had a blind eye to the effect of sometime ridiculous regulations and hurt industry unnecessarily. Currently in Lynchburg, we have seen industries turned off by the fact that it takes two years to get basic [air] permits that are available in two months in Ohio. That kind of inefficiency is not practical, and I don't think it should be continued.
"Virginia has a tremendous heritage and has many natural resources that need to be protected. However, the balance of jobs also needs to be factored in."
Also on the record:
Newman introduced a bill to require a three-fourths majority vote by the General Assembly to impose any new state environmental regulations that would be stronger than federal regulations. The bill was killed in committee.
What other candidates say:
So far, other candidates for the General Assembly haven't had much to say about the environment. In general, though, Republican candidates have made a point of saying they'd push for a fewer government regulations and a more "business-friendly environment," as House of Delegates challenger Trixie Averill of Roanoke County put it in her announcement speech.
Got a question for the candidates? Send it to Citizens' Agenda, The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, VA 24010, or fax it to 981-3346 or e-mail dyanceyinfi.net. Please include your name, address and daytime phone number and specify which candidates your question is for.
Citizens' Agenda is your opportunity to get answers from this year's General Assembly candidates.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB