Letter to Sen. Shaheen

Dear Sen. Shaheen:
 
S.168, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA), would benefit New Hampshire’s maritime industry, enhance protections for our coastal waterways, and ensure affordable costs for consumer goods shipped to and from our state by commercial vessel. Over the past year, the bill was modified extensively at the request of your colleagues and is now significantly more stringent than when you signed on as a cosponsor earlier this year. While I appreciate your cosponsoring VIDA, I do not understand why you voted against the bill on the Senate floor on April 18. I respectfully urge you to put the interests of New Hampshire’s economy and environment first by voting YES on VIDA when the bill is brought back up for consideration. Your full support is necessary to enact this important bipartisan legislation as soon as possible.