Joe Wilson, who is contending against Don Vaughan for the open state Senate District 27 seat, uses YouTube to campaign. Wilson takes a small-R Republican approach to alternative energy, advocating tax breaks to individuals that take action to reduce their fuel use. He says he would vote for offshore drilling, but not because it's a solution to the energy crisis. "Oil, in my opinion, is an antiquated energy source," he says. Posting this in the interest of throwing new ideas into the mix....
9 comments:
Jordan, he doesn't mention his experience with adding a hydrogen generator to his car. Maybe he could show it to you.
Does he walk-the-walk or does he just talk-the-talk?
He says he would vote for offshore drilling, but not because it's a solution to the energy crisis.
Then what is his reason?
Joe, do you want to weigh in on any experience you might have adding a hydrogen generator to your car, and why you would support offshore drilling?
Jordan and Anonymous, I have a friend who is investigating using this technology on his commercial vehicles. I am awaiting his results before installing it on my personal vehicle.
I have a another friend who has actually opened a business fabricating and installing the technology so this is not a pipe dream. It is a real solution available now that individuals can utilize today.
If "anonymous" cares to reveal his or her true identity I would be glad to give them more details.
Jordan, The benefits of offshore drilling are many and the risks to the environment have historically been low.
I see first and foremost, the mere approval of the program would put foreign oil producers on notice that we are taking action to solve our own problems. This should have the effect of bringing prices down.
The resulting creation of jobs in our state from a new energy based industry would have a significantly positive impact on unemployment in N.C., Not to mention a boost to the companies along our coast that are suffering greatly from the economic downturn we now face.
The boost in revenue for North Carolina companies from the sale of materials required to build and maintain the platforms would provide a new revenue stream to our state government through income and sales taxes. Hopefully having the effect of lessening the tax burdens our citizens now bear.
The creation of man-made habitats and reefs has been shown to protect and increase the quality of fisheries in the waters off of the coastlines in areas they have been built.
I also see where they could increase our state's tourism dollars, through an improvement in our state's sport fishing industry,as a by product of increased habitat in open ocean.
The construction of the platforms would take between 5 and 10 years and therefore do not present an immediate solution to our energy concerns today. As with most things in life there are risks and rewards so, the matter merits more debate before implementation.
These are just a few of my positive thoughts about the idea.I hope this clears up my statements and positions for you and your readers, Thanks for the opportunity to discuss these important issues
Don Vaughan hasn't been talking about energy and environmental issues enough during this campaign. I would like to see his answers to a questionnaire on this topic.
Malcolm, here are some of my thoughts.
Under the Clean Air Act, I support
AG Roy Cooper's efforts to hold our neighbors accountable for pollution drifting into our state. In 2004, Cooper filed suit under the "good neighbor" provision of the Federal Clean Air Act. Approximately one third of NC counties do not meet the federal standards for ozone or fine particulates (Guilford County included). It has been shown that these pollutants are generated in other states and due to the jet stream end up in our atmosphere. Cooper was denied in 2004, however this past August he filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and asked for an immediate hearing. He was joined in this filing by the Sierra Club and Environment NC. This action, if successful, will significantly reduce pollutants wafting into our state.
This will benefit NC in a number of ways. If polluters are forced to institute measures to upgrade their facilities the regions air will be cleaner. Otherwise individual counties and the state will be forced to spend millions of dollars to fix a problem that we didn't create. Also at risk are a significant amount of federal dollars for interstate road maintenance and improvements.
We must revisit "Jordan Lake Rules" with respect to water quality. I do not feel that the JLR is a one-size-fits-all piece of legislation. It it's passed in its current form it will cost the City of Greensboro in excess of 70 million dollars to retrofit its existing facilities and infrastructure. This piece of legislation will be debated in the upcoming session. The JLR need very careful review to insure that they are not creating an unnecessary expense for municipal water sources.
We must focus on water conservation as a way of life. Greensboro has been fortunate to have an aggressive water conservation schedule. I would like to see a similar program, simplified and implemented across the state. It is imperative for the state to work cohesively with local and county governments, so that all levels of government are on the same page when it comes to water useage and drought control.
I will support legislation to reward municipalities that purchase hybrid vehicles for their employees and mass transit. We must take advantage of alternate energy solutions.
As a member of the State Banking Commission we have met telephonically. I would encourage other boards and commissions to consider the same alternative. It offers an immediate savings in travel time, energy and expenses. It also makes meetings more productive by cutting down on simple "chit chat".
When I ran for the city council I was regularly endorsed by the Sierra Club (I did not receive a survey for this race).
Our natural resources are precious and I will treat them as such.
Thanks to Joe Wilson and Don Vaughan for taking part in this discussion, and thanks, Anonymous and Malcolm K, for your questions. I'll have a story about Don Vaughan's campaign in Wednesday's print edition.
I'm glad that Don Vaughan is talking about clean air and water. I am the mother of a son with asthma. Thankfully his case isn't severe but there are still days that we're forced to limit his time outdoors. I watch the air quality reports and there are many days that there are warnings for people with breathing problems and the elderly. Dirty air also has a direct effect on healthcare and prescription costs and time missed at school and work.
I hope Roy Cooper and the State of NC are successful in their suit against big polluters. I'm glad that Don Vaughan is aware of this important issue.
The cost of gasoline is very important to me but less so when my son can't go outside and play.
Post a Comment