FYI. This article was from the Ames Tribune, after the Energy Forum in Ames
on Monday, sponsored by I-SEED, and others.

Lyle


Candidates debate energy future
By:David Grebe    October 15, 2002

Four gubernatorial hopefuls say sustainable energy is key for Iowa
      All four candidates for governor - Democratic, Republican, Green and
Libertarian - called for sustainable energy development in Iowa at a forum
Monday in Ames. But they had different approaches on how to get there.
      The candidates took turns addressing Iowa's energy future in the
Scheman Building at Iowa State University. The forum was sponsored by the
Iowa Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (SEED coalition).
      The state requires that commercial utilities generate 2 percent of
their power from renewable energy sources today, but Green Party candidate
Jay Robinson said Iowa could see half of its generating capacity come from
wind. 
      While he didn't promise such results, Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack said
the state could raise the percentage of energy derived from renewable fuels
to 10 percent in the next few years.
      "It makes more sense for us to grow our fuel than to buy it," Vilsack
said.
      Vilsack promised an immediate investment of $50 million in renewable
energy - money that would come from the state's tobacco settlement. He said
tax cuts are less efficient than direct investment at promoting renewable
energy.
      Republican Doug Gross disagreed, making the case for tax credits.
Gross also said it would be better to raise renewable fuel requirements for
utilities on a national basis.
      Doing so would create economic opportunities for many parts of rural
Iowa, especially in wind energy - because Iowa would likely become a net
exporter.
      Republican Sen. Charles Grassley was a leading supporter of the higher
standard, Gross said.
      "I don't think in any respect this is a partisan issue," Gross said.
He said he didn't want Iowa to go it alone in requiring renewable energy,
something he said would require a "drastic rate hike for the Iowa consumer."
      Gross's plans to improve Iowa's farm economy drew a tough question
when he mentioned the development of neutraceuticals to increase value per
acre.
      "Are you talking about genetic engineering?" one member of the
audience asked. Gross called it "transgenics."
      "You don't need to cringe," Gross said. "Hybrid corn had to come from
somewhere too." 
      Gross said Iowa should become the "Underwriter's Laboratory" for
quality in genetic engineering.
      Robinson compared nuclear power to biotechnology, calling nuclear
power the biotechnology of the 1960s - a demonstration of human hubris.
      Robinson said he wants to close Iowa's nuclear plant at Palo, while
Gross said "we rely on nuclear energy."
      But Gross said he was concerned about the safety of transporting
nuclear waste along Iowa rail lines.
      Vilsack called on the state to reduce the use of fossil fuels by
conserving energy. "State government can be a model (for conservation),"
Vilsack said. 
      But there's a problem: the state fire marshal's office doesn't have
the resources to enforce a law requiring energy conservation in government
buildings.
      "The first thing we need to do is get a fire marshal," Vilsack said.
Gross saw that as a problem.
      "One of the worst things you can do is put requirements on the books
that you don't enforce," Gross said.
      Such actions breed disrespect for government, Gross said.
      Libertarian Candidate Clyde Cleveland was allowed to speak at the end
of the event - which was organized without him since he wasn't on the ballot
when the meeting was arranged.
      Cleveland said new requirements and subsidies were unnecessary.
      "Get rid of the subsidies to the fossil-fuel industry," Cleveland
said, and "forget about these mandates." 

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