This is the first in an occasional series analyzing the

issues, records and platforms of the candidates seeking the

governorship in the upcoming election. This installment focuses on

environmental protection.

One of West Virginia's gubernatorial candidates promises that he

will "streamline and simplify" the environmental permitting

process.

"We need regulations to protect people," says the candidate's economic

development plan, posted on his campaign Internet site.

"But sometimes we go too far and create regulations that do not work as

intended and end up restricting the development of new business."

The candidate? Incumbent Republican Gov. Cecil Underwood?

Wrong. It's Democratic nominee Bob Wise.

In May, Wise announced that he would give up the U.S. House seat he has

held since 1983. He said he wanted to challenge Underwood for governor.

Wise mentioned the environment briefly in his announcement.

"We can't fall into the trap of pitting our economy against the

environment," Wise said. "That's a false choice.

"We can protect and preserve our environment and have a healthy and

growing economy," he said. "I believe they can work hand in hand

together."

Since then, Wise has said little about protecting mountains and trees

or cleaning up the state's water and air.

Over the last four years, Underwood has put a cadre of former industry

lawyers, lobbyists and executives in charge of the state Division of

Environmental Protection.

The administration has opposed stronger air quality rules, fought

federal government efforts to clean up polluted state streams and backed

mountaintop removal coal mining.

Wise quietly promises to do better. He says that he won't let industry

run roughshod over regulators at DEP.

But to date, Wise has not made a campaign issue of Underwood's

pro-industry slant. Like the governor, Wise says his main campaign issue

is economic development.

In his economic plan, Wise says he will review state regulations to

make sure they are not too much of a burden on business. He promises to

hire an ombudsman in the Governor's Office, "to assist in dispute

resolution and negotiations between companies and state regulatory

agencies regarding permitting and licensing."

A review of their records shows that, on most major

environmentalissues that face West Virginia, it's hard to

tell the Democratic challenger from the incumbent Republican governor:

- The most contentious environmental debate in the state today

is mountaintop removal.

Underwood wants to overturn Chief U.S. District Judge Charles H. Haden

II's ruling to limit the size of valley fills. So does Wise.

- The federal government is trying to crack down on coal-fired power

plant emissions that cause smog and create health hazards.

Underwood wants to block the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency from implementing its pollution-limiting plan. So does Wise.

Wise and Underwood differ significantly on only one major

environmental issue, preservation of Blackwater Canyon in Tucker

County.

Underwood bought a small part of the canyon from timber operator John

Crites.

But the deal gives Crites a much-inflated price, and the governor says

his respect for private property rights makes him hesitate to push Crites

to sell more of the canyon.

"The West Virginia businessman who owns the land has been under no

obligation to negotiate with the state over the private property that he

rightfully owns," Underwood has said.

In Congress, Wise has supported a federal study of making Blackwater

Canyon a national park. He said recently that he believes the area should

be public property, and promised to turn up the heat on Crites to sell.

"I think it ought to be preserved," Wise said. "I think you can

clearly show some determination."

Ignoring the issue

So far in the campaign neither of the major candidates has

highlighted any proposals to improve environmental protection in

West Virginia.

In the "Issues" section of his campaign Web site, Underwood

mentions the environment only twice: An entry under the "Jobs" section

devastation of new federal air regulations." Under the "Technology"

Protection's new computer.

On his campaign Web site, Wise proudly notes that he authored chemical

industry public right-to-know laws after the 1984 Bhopal disaster. Because

of those laws, citizens can find out how much pollution their local

chemical plant emits, and learn where toxic substances are stored in their

communities.

Since then Wise has voted to limit the amount of information available

to the public about environmental dangers in their communities.

Last year, for example, Wise voted to eliminate fines for small

businesses that violate pollution record-keeping rules.

Novelist Denise Giardina is the gubernatorial candidate who has been

most outspoken in her support for strong environmental protections.

Giardina decided to run after she got involved in the fight against

mountaintop removal.

"Agencies which supposedly exist to protect the environment are in fact

run by industry hacks who think their mission is to grease the wheels for

polluters and ward off citizen complaints," Giardina said.

"In a Denise Giardina administration, the [Division] of

Environmental Protection will be just that," she said. "The

protection of our air, water and other resources will be the priority. And

where regulations need tightening, as in the timber industry, I will push

for those regulations."

Bob Myers, the Libertarian candidate for governor, says that he would

turn state environmental protection duties over to a nonprofit

corporation.

A Wise record

Over the years, Wise has had a mixed record on the environment in

Congress, according to the League of Conservation Voters, a national group

that monitors legislative actions the affect the environment.

In 1995, he voted with the League 100 percent of the time. That year,

the Republicans took over the House. They pushed to dismantle many federal

environmental protections. Every time, Wise voted with the

Democratic majority to fend off the GOP onslaught.

But a year earlier, when the Democrats controlled the House, Wise

co-sponsored legislation to weaken federal regulations on the use of

pesticides and to limit pesticide residues on food. Also in 1994, Wise

Since 1995, Wise has received annual ratings of 54 percent, 63 percent,

69 percent and 50 percent from the League.

Wise received poor marks from the League for his repeated votes in

favor of government subsidies for logging roads in national forests and

Closer to home, Wise has angered environmental groups with his

outspoken support for construction of Corridor H, the four-lane highway

through the Potomac Highlands.

"I realize this is not going to make everyone happy," Wise said in a

1996 House floor speech. "[But] it has been too long in contention, and at

least in the West Virginia section it is important that this highway be

completed."

Throughout the 1990s, Wise also supported construction of a pulp and

paper mill proposed for Apple Grove in Mason County. Environmentalists

This is the first in an occasional series analyzing the

issues, records and platforms of the candidates seeking the

governorship in the upcoming election. This installment focuses on

environmental protection.

One of West Virginia's gubernatorial candidates promises that he

will "streamline and simplify" the environmental permitting

process.

"We need regulations to protect people," says the candidate's economic

development plan, posted on his campaign Internet site.

"But sometimes we go too far and create regulations that do not work as

intended and end up restricting the development of new business."

The candidate? Incumbent Republican Gov. Cecil Underwood?

Wrong. It's Democratic nominee Bob Wise.

In May, Wise announced that he would give up the U.S. House seat he has

held since 1983. He said he wanted to challenge Underwood for governor.

Wise mentioned the environment briefly in his announcement.

"We can't fall into the trap of pitting our economy against the

environment," Wise said. "That's a false choice.

"We can protect and preserve our environment and have a healthy and

growing economy," he said. "I believe they can work hand in hand

together."

Since then, Wise has said little about protecting mountains and trees

or cleaning up the state's water and air.

Over the last four years, Underwood has put a cadre of former industry

lawyers, lobbyists and executives in charge of the state Division of

Environmental Protection.

The administration has opposed stronger air quality rules, fought

federal government efforts to clean up polluted state streams and backed

mountaintop removal coal mining.

Wise quietly promises to do better. He says that he won't let industry

run roughshod over regulators at DEP.

But to date, Wise has not made a campaign issue of Underwood's

pro-industry slant. Like the governor, Wise says his main campaign issue

is economic development.

In his economic plan, Wise says he will review state regulations to

make sure they are not too much of a burden on business. He promises to

hire an ombudsman in the Governor's Office, "to assist in dispute

resolution and negotiations between companies and state regulatory

agencies regarding permitting and licensing."

A review of their records shows that, on most major

environmentalissues that face West Virginia, it's hard to

tell the Democratic challenger from the incumbent Republican governor:

- The most contentious environmental debate in the state today

is mountaintop removal.

Underwood wants to overturn Chief U.S. District Judge Charles H. Haden

II's ruling to limit the size of valley fills. So does Wise.

- The federal government is trying to crack down on coal-fired power

plant emissions that cause smog and create health hazards.

Underwood wants to block the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency from implementing its pollution-limiting plan. So does Wise.

Wise and Underwood differ significantly on only one major

environmental issue, preservation of Blackwater Canyon in Tucker

County.

Underwood bought a small part of the canyon from timber operator John

Crites.

But the deal gives Crites a much-inflated price, and the governor says

his respect for private property rights makes him hesitate to push Crites

to sell more of the canyon.

"The West Virginia businessman who owns the land has been under no

obligation to negotiate with the state over the private property that he

rightfully owns," Underwood has said.

In Congress, Wise has supported a federal study of making Blackwater

Canyon a national park. He said recently that he believes the area should

be public property, and promised to turn up the heat on Crites to sell.

"I think it ought to be preserved," Wise said. "I think you can

clearly show some determination."

Ignoring the issue

So far in the campaign neither of the major candidates has

highlighted any proposals to improve environmental protection in

West Virginia.

In the "Issues" section of his campaign Web site, Underwood

mentions the environment only twice: An entry under the "Jobs" section

devastation of new federal air regulations." Under the "Technology"

Protection's new computer.

On his campaign Web site, Wise proudly notes that he authored chemical

industry public right-to-know laws after the 1984 Bhopal disaster. Because

of those laws, citizens can find out how much pollution their local

chemical plant emits, and learn where toxic substances are stored in their

communities.

Since then Wise has voted to limit the amount of information available

to the public about environmental dangers in their communities.

Last year, for example, Wise voted to eliminate fines for small

businesses that violate pollution record-keeping rules.

Novelist Denise Giardina is the gubernatorial candidate who has been

most outspoken in her support for strong environmental protections.

Giardina decided to run after she got involved in the fight against

mountaintop removal.

"Agencies which supposedly exist to protect the environment are in fact

run by industry hacks who think their mission is to grease the wheels for

polluters and ward off citizen complaints," Giardina said.

"In a Denise Giardina administration, the [Division] of

Environmental Protection will be just that," she said. "The

protection of our air, water and other resources will be the priority. And

where regulations need tightening, as in the timber industry, I will push

for those regulations."

Bob Myers, the Libertarian candidate for governor, says that he would

turn state environmental protection duties over to a nonprofit

corporation.

A Wise record

Over the years, Wise has had a mixed record on the environment in

Congress, according to the League of Conservation Voters, a national group

that monitors legislative actions the affect the environment.

In 1995, he voted with the League 100 percent of the time. That year,

the Republicans took over the House. They pushed to dismantle many federal

environmental protections. Every time, Wise voted with the

Democratic majority to fend off the GOP onslaught.

But a year earlier, when the Democrats controlled the House, Wise

co-sponsored legislation to weaken federal regulations on the use of

pesticides and to limit pesticide residues on food. Also in 1994, Wise

Since 1995, Wise has received annual ratings of 54 percent, 63 percent,

69 percent and 50 percent from the League.

Wise received poor marks from the League for his repeated votes in

favor of government subsidies for logging roads in national forests and

Closer to home, Wise has angered environmental groups with his

outspoken support for construction of Corridor H, the four-lane highway

through the Potomac Highlands.

"I realize this is not going to make everyone happy," Wise said in a

1996 House floor speech. "[But] it has been too long in contention, and at

least in the West Virginia section it is important that this highway be

completed."

Throughout the 1990s, Wise also supported construction of a pulp and

paper mill proposed for Apple Grove in Mason County. Environmentalists

forests.

Underwood administration

When he ran for governor in 1996, Underwood staunchly backed those

projects as well. That year, environmental groups supported his

Democratic opponent, Charlotte Pritt.

Since he took office in early 1997, Underwood has been in an almost

constant battle with environmental groups.

The governor has repeatedly criticized citizens who went to court

because of their concerns that Corridor H wasn't needed and would cause

great environmental damage.

"I regret that a small minority of people continues to try to

circumvent the clear wishes of an overwhelming majority of citizens in the

region and all of their elected leaders," he said in 1997.

Underwood has led a coalition of regional governors who challenged the

EPA's proposal to reduce power plant emissions.

The governor appointed another timber company official to head the

proposed to cut down dozens of trees at the state Capitol to make way for

a new parking garage and bus turn-around.

When Underwood talks about the environment, it's usually to do one of

two things.

First, the governor depicts federal agencies as outsiders bent on

destroying West Virginia's already struggling economy.

"Forces beyond our state borders threaten our growth and our future,"

Underwood declared in his 1999 State of the State address.

"Federal bureaucrats use oppressive, unreasonable regulations and

international treaties to impose air quality standards that jeopardize

thousands of West Virginia jobs."

Second, Underwood repeats the common mantra that economic growth

doesn't mean a dirty environment.

"We can protect the environment without turning out the lights and

costing jobs," the governor said recently. "We believe we have to do

both."

Earlier this year, Underwood signed into law bills that reformed the

State Forest outside Charleston. But the governor was not considered a

force behind either measure.

During his State of the State address in January, Underwood called for

the state to create a program to educate public school students about

environmentalissues. The state Department of Education

already had such a program.

In that same speech, the governor unveiled a proposal for the state to

clean up old tires that litter the countryside. The administration was

with a tax on motor vehicle title transfers, has since made the program

into a success.

Dealing with King Coal

In late 1998, Wise wrote a letter to the U.S. Office of Surface Mining

to call for a moratorium on new mountaintop removal permits.

Wise cited Charleston Gazette reports that dozens of permits issued by

the DEP did not comply with federal and state mining rules.

"The apparent lack of oversight and ambiguity of our state law have led

to questions and controversy with regard to mountaintop removal," Wise

responsible thing to do."

Since then, Wise has changed his tune.

Federal agencies have cracked down on DEP. Permit applications receive

more scrutiny, and take longer to be approved. Haden issued a ruling that,

if upheld, could substantially reduce the size of mountaintop removal

operations.

Along with the rest of the state's political leadership, Wise has

chastised federal agencies for slowing down permits. He called for higher

courts or Congress to overturn Haden's ruling.

"As a result of environmental legislation ... surface mining

will never be the same again in the state of West Virginia," Wise said in

a House floor speech.

"So great progress has been made. The question is whether balance will

be preserved," he said. "And the court's decision takes it too far the

other way."

Underwood has been even more pro-coal.

The governor called the date of Haden's ruling, "the bleakest day in

the recent history of West Virginia.

"A federal court decision has placed the future of thousands of West

Virginia families at risk."

Underwood has vowed repeatedly to always stand up for the coal industry

and its workers.

"Coal remains our most abundant resource, though one with an uncertain

future," the governor said earlier this year. "We must not turn our back

on coal miners, their families and the many small businesses they

Occasionally, Wise has tried to distance himself from Underwood on

issues related to coal.

In August, the governor suggested that he didn't believe scientific

evidence that the burning of fossil fuels is changing global climate.

"You talk about global warming," Underwood said. "Your weather people

can't predict the weather outside tomorrow morning, yet you want to

predict it 100 years from now."

Wise responded that he believes in global warming, and thinks it is a

problem that needs to be addressed.

The congressman's answer, though, is to push for more federal funding

for clean coal technology.

Repeated House votes for that funding have earned Wise low marks from

the League of Conservation Voters. The group points out that clean coal

programs focus on removing other pollutants from power plant emissions.

Scientists can't do anything about the coal burning's creation of carbon

dioxide, the major greenhouse gas.

Since Labor Day, Wise has criticized Underwood several times for

made it cheaper and easier for coal operators to bury bigger streams under

larger valley fills.

Wise attacked the governor because the bill focused the attention of

federal regulators on mountaintop removal. Wise said that he would have

opposed the bill because this attention slowed down permit approvals - not

because it was harmful to the environment.

Wise has also chided the governor for appointing three successive coal

operators to run the DEP.

But last week, former DEP Director David Callaghan started speaking out

in favor of Wise's campaign. Callaghan was DEP director during most of

Gov. Gaston Caperton's second term, when mountaintop removal was

accelerating across Southern West Virginia.

Wise has declined to promise to appoint someone from the

environmental community to be the agency's director. But he pledges

changes at DEP.

"I will not have someone from the coal industry running DEP," he said.

"It's going to be a different DEP.

"We aren't the same," Wise said of the two major candidates'

environmental stances. "We're totally different."

Future installments of "Issues 2000: The Race for Governor" will

appear in the coming weeks in the Sunday Gazette-Mail and The Charleston

Gazette.

To contact staff writer Ken Ward Jr., use e-mail or call 348-1702.