THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 10, 1994 TAG: 9408100008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
Gov. George Allen's plan to ease rules on leaks for gas stations (news, Aug. 3) is disappointing. Your report quoted Bob Baird, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Quality: ``If we want companies to spend money, we want them to do it for a reason - not just so they'll have a warm, fuzzy feeling.''
In Hampton Roads, drinking water is a scarce resource. Protecting it is more than a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Do we want to maintain our beautiful state as a desirable place to live or allow it to become a dumping ground for hazardous material?
Companies should realize that the future of our state and country depends upon maintaining a clean and healthy environment. A better idea would be for the state to give businesses incentives to keep the environment clean, rather than having the taxpayers foot the bill for the cleanup years from now.
With his business-first approach, Gov. Allen does not consider the long-term effects of relaxing environmental regulations. Who are the winners? Certainly not Virginia or its citizens.
KELLY JACKSON
Virginia Beach, Aug. 4, 1994 by CNB