Protecting our environment should be a priority for all of our leaders. As the owner of Sebasco Harbor Resort in Phippsburg, I truly understand how important a clean environment is to the sustainability of our state’s tourism industry.

And as we approach peak tourism season, I am thankful for the leadership of Sen. Susan Collins.

Earlier this year, she voted in favor of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ amendment that acknowledges the threat of climate change. The amendment also recognizes that humans have had a significant impact on climate change, and that the government needs to act to address this problem before Mainers and other Americans experience its worst impacts.

Support for this amendment is meaningful, but far more needs to be done to seriously address climate change.

This starts with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan, which sets the first-ever federal limits on currently unlimited carbon pollution from existing power plants. Unfortunately, Maine sits at the “end of the tailpipe,” a direct recipient of most of the pollution coming from coal-fired plants in the Midwest.

We need our leaders to fully support this vital public health and environmental safeguard, not only to protect our tourism industry, but also to protect the greater economy and health of all Mainers.

Bob Smith

owner, Sebasco Harbor Resort

Phippsburg