A LIFETIME OF SERVICE
Protecting the Environment and Promoting Energy Efficiency
Holding Oil Companies Accountable
During consideration of a 1975 tax cut proposal, Kennedy introduced a provision targeting the oil depletion allowance, which since 1926 had enabled oil producers to exclude 22 percent of their revenues from any taxes. Kennedy's initiative passed overwhelmingly, trimming the allowance for independent producers and ending it for the major oil companies.
Raising Fuel Economy Standards
Senator Kennedy has a long and distinguished record supporting clean renewable sources of energy and reducing the nation's reliance on fossil fuels. More than 30 years ago he cosponsored the first law to establish fuel economy standards. And in 2007, he supported a law which increased fuel economy standards, which is essential to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Promoting Energy Research and Development
In 2007, Senator Kennedy's "America COMPETES Act" was passed by both chambers of Congress and sent to the White House to become law. That bill established an Advanced Research Projects Authority at the Department of Energy to be the focal point of federal efforts to support breakthrough research on new clean energy technologies.
In 2009, Senator Kennedy urged that funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act be used to build a wind blade technology testing facility in Massachusetts, and in May 2009, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that $25 million of such funds will be available for the project at the Autoport in Charlestown.
Improving Energy Efficiency
Senator Kennedy was a strong proponent of increasing energy efficiency, which is an essential part of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He was a long time supporter of programs like the weatherization assistance program and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program that helps those most in need reduce their energy bills by improving home energy efficiency.
Preserving Massachusetts Heritage
In 2009, Senator Kennedy obtained passage of several bills important to the preservation of historic sites throughout Massachusetts. His work resulted in the enactment of legislation to expand the boundary of the Minute Man National Historic Park to include the historic Colonel James Barrett's Farm, the colonial munitions depot that was the target of the British march on Concord and Lexington in 1775.
Other bills he sought were enacted to protect the Taunton River by adding it to the National Park Service's Wild and Scenic River program and to extend the term of the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission.
He also worked with Senator Kerry to enact bills to add the New England Scenic Trail to the National Trails System, establish the Freedom's Way National Heritage Corridor, and authorize cooperative agreements between the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area and non-profit entities. He joined with Senator Dodd of Connecticut to pass legislation extending the authorization for the Quinebaug-Shetucket National Heritage Corridor.
In 2008, Senator Kennedy had legislation enacted to provide the Essex National Heritage Area a $5 million budget increase to continue a successful public-private partnership to preserve the region's historic and cultural resources.
Also in 2008, he had legislation enacted to expand the boundary of Lowell National Historical Park to allow for the expansion of the city's historic canal walkways. Lowell Park celebrates the nation's industrial heritage and its canal-ways were used to power the factories along the Merrimack River.
He enacted legislation in 2008 which directs the National Park Service to study whether to establish a unit in: the city of Taunton, home to Taunton Green, where the Sons of Liberty flew an early version of the U.S. flag in 1774 in protest of British control of the colonies; the First Parish Church, which was built in 1647, where negotiations took place in 1671 between Plymouth Colony and Metacomet of the Wampanoag Tribe before war broke out ("King Phillip's War") between the English colonists and the Tribe in 1675; and the Bristol County Courthouse complex designed in 1894 by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed Central Park, Brooklyn's Prospect Park, Boston's Emerald Necklace, and the U.S. Capitol grounds.
Also in 2006, Senator Kennedy worked to enact legislation authorizing $10 million for the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, which provides visitors a rare glimpse into 19th century living in mill communities. He also supported passage of a law in 2006 establishing the Upper Housatonic National Heritage Area, which includes 139 properties and historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including Edith Wharton's home in Lenox, Herman Melville's home in Pittsfield, and W.E.B. DuBois' boyhood home in Great Barrington.
Cleaning up the New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site
Senator Kennedy worked for years to clean-up the 18,000-acre New Bedford Superfund site, which is located in a tidal estuary. The area's sediments are highly contaminated with PCBs. Despite its listing as a Superfund site more than a quarter of a century ago, inadequate resources have been budgeted to complete this important project.
Senator Kennedy urged that funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act be used for the clean-up, and in April 2009, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced that up to $35 million of such funds will be available for the project.