An Environmental Voting Guide for US State Elections

The Importance of State-Level Environmental Decisions

While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) often dominates headlines in environmental regulation, the real battlegrounds for environmental protection are at the state level. Here's why understanding and participating in state elections is crucial for environmental advocacy:

Key Statistics and Facts

• Delegation of Federal Programs: Approximately 75% of federal environmental programs can be delegated to states, allowing them to tailor approaches to local conditions.
• Enforcement Actions: States are responsible for about 90% of environmental enforcement actions, making state policies critical in practical environmental management.
• Data Contribution: States contribute 94% of the environmental data used in EPA databases, underscoring their role in shaping national environmental strategies.

Despite these responsibilities, funding for environmental initiatives at the state level has often been precarious. For instance, a 2003 study by Resources for the Future highlighted that state spending on environment and natural resources was at an all-time low of only 1.4% of total state budgets (Resources for the Future).

The Impact of Reduced State Environmental Funding

Cutbacks in state and local environmental budgets can severely undermine the effectiveness of monitoring and enforcement necessary to protect air, water, and land quality. The decisions made in statehouses and local government meetings directly affect the level of environmental protection and the enforcement of regulations.

How to Use State Environmental Voting Guides

Understanding how your state representatives vote on environmental issues can be enlightening and may influence your decisions at the polls. Here’s how you can get informed:

State-by-State Environmental Voting Resources

• Grinning Planet: Offers comprehensive environmental voting guides for all 50 US states. These guides provide insights into how state legislators vote on environmental matters and the implications for local and state agencies (Grinning Planet Voting Guide).
• Local Chapters and Organizations: Many state-level organizations provide links to county or regional groups. For instance, the Sierra Club often has county-level voting guides that cover local issues like land use and recycling programs (Sierra Club).

Why Local Elections Matter

County and municipal decisions often directly impact issues such as land development, local parks, and waste management programs. These elections can sometimes have a more immediate and visible impact on your daily environment than broader state or national elections.

Conclusion: Your Vote, Your Environment

The power of the vote is a fundamental tool in shaping environmental policy at the state level. By making informed choices, voters can influence local and state policies that determine the effectiveness of environmental protection efforts. Use the resources available to understand the environmental stances of your local candidates and ensure that your vote supports sustainable and responsible environmental management.