President George H.W. Bush Discusses his Environmental Policies while in Office

By: Angelina Garbarino

President George H.W. Bush's, 41st President of the United States, foreign policy accomplishments are well known. Often unknown are his accomplishments on environmental policy.

In a presentation at Texas A&M University on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, the 41st president participated in a special seminar titled, "The Environmental Policy Agenda of President George H. W. Bush: Initiatives, Achievements, and Long-Term Impacts." Bush School student Heather Thomson kicked off the event with a presentation explaining the economic impact of the President's environmental legislation. Mr. Bob Grady, former White House Associate Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Natural Resources Energy and Science in the Bush administration, also gave a presentation on President Bush's environmental policy initiatives. A question and answer session, moderated by Dr. Arnie Vedlitz, Director of the Institute for Science Technology and Public policy, followed the presentations.

Under President Bush, funding to the EPA increased by 54 percent. The National Tree Trust was also created, which promotes healthy communities by helping citizens plant nearly 1 billion additional trees a year. The America's Climate Change Strategy was established during his presidency, which focuses on controlling greenhouse gases, encouraging energy efficiency, and promoting alternative fuels. The America's Climate Change Strategy was the first national document focused on climate change. President Bush also committed, under The Montreal Protocol, to phasing out ozone-depleting substances by 2000. Additionally, The Clean Air Act was strengthened: vessels or facilities were made liable for oil spills (Exxon Valdez Oil Spill occurred March 24, 1989); increased regulation on toxic pollutants was implemented; the use of ozone-depleting substances was reduced; and tradable permits were established for pollutants.

Dr. Jeryl Mumpower, the Program Director for The Bush School's Master in Public Service and Administration, commented that "it was a wonderful opportunity for students to learn first hand about President Bush's ambitious environmental agenda and the extraordinary legacy of improved environmental quality that flowed from it and continues to this day."