Green Technology Equals a Sustained Future
This week I’d like to touch on energy issues. My opponent, Republican Geoff Davis, voted NO on the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008 (Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act; Bill HR6049 ; vote number 2008-344 on May 21, 2008).
While the arguments for such a vote seem sensible on the surface, this is a vote for the status quo and not in any way a forward-looking position. One statement, by Republican Congressman Lemar Smith of Texas, echoes the opposition by saying that since all renewable energy sources provide only six per cent of our energy supply, while oil and natural gas operations provide 58 per cent, moving to alternative energy sources would jeopardize the two million Americans employed in the oil and natural gas industry — surely a leap in logic!
Since a transition to renewable energy (wind, solar etc.) would occur over a long period of time, it is inconceivable that supporting such a move would immediately put two million people among the unemployed. What IS conceivable is that many of these people would transition with gradual industry changes and remain on the payrolls of companies forced to incorporate the new technologies into their existing energy companies.
This past week, I held a town hall meeting in Covington, KY, where Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo gave the opening speech. In my address, I presented the landscape for renewable energy in Kentucky alone, saying: “. . . we can nearly triple the job market when we cut back on fossil fuels and invest in clean energy. In fact, in Kentucky alone, 25,705 new jobs rest on the horizon, and brighter days for the unemployed are in view.”
I fully support a sensible combination of energy sources, integrating renewable sources while making present, but ultimately limited resources, cleaner, safer and longer lasting.
In the coming weeks and months, we will be hosting forums throughout the 24 Fourth District counties (Bath, Boone, Boyd, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Carter, Elliot, Fleming, Gallatin, Grant, Greenup, Harrison, Henry, Kenton, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas, Oldham, Owen, Pendleton, Robertson, Scott and Trimble).
Our district is very large, and essentially mirrors the problems that face this great nation of ours. I will be asking you to join me in voicing the problems that affect you the most, so we can forge sensible plans to solve those problems.
Our next event is a “Conversations with John Waltz” meeting September 5, at 4:00 p.m. in Maysville, at the Old Mason County Courthouse on the corner of West Third and Sutton streets, across the street from the new courthouse. There is free two-hour parking on the street.
Please look for announcements of events in our listings (http://johnwaltzforcongress.com), and meanwhile any donations to our campaign will help me to help you — $25, $50, $100 or more!
Let us together continue to make good on the message of hope that led an unprecedented number of Americans to work hard for Barack Obama and to elect him to the highest office in America. He has a long struggle ahead in righting the wrongs of the past, and he needs all of us to help him!
