Gov. Lynch Celebrates Earth Day In NH

For Immediate Release:                                  Contact: Colin Manning
Tuesday, April 22, 2008                                 (603) 271-2121
                                                              
Gov. Lynch Celebrates Earth Day In NH

CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today celebrated Earth Day by planting a tree with Concord area children at the Bridges Houses, the Governor's official residence.

"New Hampshire's breathtaking landscapes and natural resources are part of our heritage and part of the legacy we are entrusted with safeguarding for the future.  As New Hampshire grows, we must continue to protect our environment and our high quality of life," Gov. Lynch said. "Earth Day is the perfect occasion for all of us to recommit to working together each and every day to ensure that the environment we pass on to our children is even better than the one passed on to us."

Gov. Lynch was joined by children from the Concord Boys & Girls Club and the Eastside Learning Center, and members of the New Hampshire Arborists Association.

Gov. Lynch has made protecting our environment a priority since taking office. The Governor worked with legislators and stakeholders to pass comprehensive legislation cutting harmful mercury emissions in New Hampshire; to ban the burning of toxic construction and demolition debris; and increase support for the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program..

Gov. Lynch signed the Renewable Energy Act, which encourages greater use renewable energy and will help the state reach the goal of ensuring that at least 25 percent of New Hampshire's energy comes from renewable sources by 2025.

The Governor continues to work on behalf of the environment, supporting the passage of legislation that would allow New Hampshire to enact the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which is part of the state's continuing efforts to reduce the harmful pollution that causes climate change and to promote the use of cleaner energy. Gov. Lynch signed onto the bipartisan agreement with other governors in 2005, and New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services played an integral role in developing the initiative.

"Pollution and climate change threaten our state's environment, our health and our economy. While I believe strongly there should be national action and a national energy policy that addresses these issues, I also believe that New Hampshire cannot afford to wait for national action - and we are not waiting," Gov. Lynch said. "New Hampshire is a leader in reducing harmful emissions that cause global warming and we will continue to lead the nation."