WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2008 News WWW.KANSAN.COM THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
9
POLITICS
Local candidates delve into environmental issues
BY RAMSEY COX rcox@kansan.com
Candidates running for State Senate in the 2nd and 3rd Districts 2 and State House in the 10th, 44th, 45th and 46th Districts, which represent parts of Lawrence, were asked to share their views on environmental issues. Here are the responses:
STATE SENATE, 2ND DISTRICT Incumbent Marci Francisco Democrat
"I support research on perennial
Francisco
crops and sustainable agricultural practices establishment of conservation easements for farm and ranchland, networks for local food.
and food labeling that includes information about production," Francisco said.
Francisco said she supported the construction of green buildings and renewable energy production.
"I support the implementation of the state water plan, conservation of water efforts, state purchases of water rights using funds from the Colorado water settlement, and increased maintenance of our reservoirs," Francisco said. "I support state funds for transportation to be allocated for a variety of transportation modes including bicycles, busses and expansion of Amtrak service."
we need to reduce the stuff our machines are belching into the air" Morgan said.
"If it were easy, it would have already been done. In truth, it will take tough choices and leadership. It means developing an actual energy policy that recognizes our basic need to turn on the lights but also reduces
our use of carbonbased fuels. It means less time being spent on political gamesmanship and more time reaching across political divides to find consensus. It means increasing the use of wind, solar and
other renewable energy sources. It means encouraging conservation and it means making fossil fuels such as coal better reflect their actual cost," Morgan said.
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STATE SENATE,
3RD DISTRICT
Tom Holland, Democrat, did not respond.
Incumbent Roger Pine, Republican
"As a lifelong farmer, I have raised
my family on the land and make my living from its bounty. I believe our earth is precious and that we have an obligation to be good stewards of the
Pine
protection.
"Globally, this is a huge issue — it's a reason that the environment often is under greatest assault in impoverished countries where meeting urgent human needs tends to trump a long-term commitment to the environment. That's one reason I also believe strongly that we
must develop a long-term energy policy for Kansas that not only is green in and of itself but that also provides affordable energy and power to all Kansans so that all can afford to participate more fulfil
in protecting our precious environment."
Patrick Wilbur, Libertarian
"We need to explore all avenues of energy options — especially those that are renewable and cost effective. In Kansas, we are lucky to have many options. As State Senator I would encourage an expansion of wind power, including the Flint Hills. I also believe we need to look at expanding nuclear power options, whether that be through new plants or expanding the capabilities of Wolf Creek. I would propose that we expand tax credits for solar energy upgrades to homes and businesses."
Wilbur also said people should be careful relying on the government to solve environmental problems. "The Federal Government is the largest
polluter in the United States," Wilbur said. "Do we really want the fox guarding the henhouse?"
HOUSE,
10TH DISTRICT
John Coen, Republican, did not respond.
Tony Brown, Democrat
"A change that is a bit more difficult is to provide economic incentives to individual persons to reduce energy consumption or install alternative energy sources in their homes.
Brown
There currently are some modest tax breaks for these kinds of homeowner initiatives, but Kansas has not passed a net-metering law to allow persons to sell solar or wind energy back to energy companies. My wife and I installed solar panels on a home addition we are currently building. The energy produced by these panels goes directly into the electrical grid and excess energy is fed back into the Baldwin City system, so our electrical meter runs forward and backward;" Brown said.
He too said he would not have voted for the Holcomb coal power plant.
"We have got to step up our efforts to explore and develop renewable energy sources like wind, solar and
geothermal energies. There are huge opportunities in these energy areas and we are missing out on them currently." Brown said.
William, Stewart-Starks,
Liberarian
"If I were to throw a bag of garbage
Stewart-Starks
behind the counter of a downtown establishment, the patrons may not take action against me but the owner surely would. Now consider a public park, I am
far more likely to get away with such an abuse because those using the park may not feel that they have any true ownership or incentive to keep it clean. We must eliminate the commons in our community and stop relying on government to police them," Stewart-Starks said.
Like his fellow Libertarian Wilbur, Stewart-Starks said he does not think the public should trust the government to handle environmental issues.
"We must remember that the U.S. Government is the number one polluter in the country and often colludes with big corporations by allowing them to continue polluting with things such as green taxes and carbon credits," Stewart-Starks said.
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