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Scudder Parker On The Issues |
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Energy |
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The Douglas Administration has a record of denial, failed planning, and missed opportunities when it comes to making energy affordable for Vermonters. We have experienced a doubling of fossil-fuel costs in the last eighteen months. Southern New England is facing 40% to 80% rate increases that will come to Vermont when our Vermont Yankee and Hydro Quebec contracts expire over the next six to nine years.
It is time to transform our energy policy. Our current reliance on fossil fuels leaves us prey to dramatic and unpredictable price hikes. This is a real burden for Vermonters. It is an obvious drag on our efforts for economic and job growth. Jim Douglas does not want to face this problem; in fact, he is actively trying to undercut what works here by pounding away at Efficiency Vermont. Jim Douglas clearly does not understand that stable and clean energy equals jobs. I do.
As governor, I would offer incentives for new energy solutions. The means are out there: efficiency, solar, geothermal, biomass, and wind resources must all be part of our future. We need to build the alternatives that will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear energy.
My administration will design and implement a broad and creative plan to address our energy needs. Governor Douglas has had years to make this happen, but instead he just says no: no to the acquisition of Connecticut River hydro-electric power, no to the development of wind resources, and no to further investment in energy efficiency.
I will work to create a clear plan that moves us to a sustainable, much more self-reliant, and clean energy future. No such plan now exists.
I will encourage Vermont to invest in efficiency, green building design, and renewable energy (including solar, biomass, wind, and geothermal) in ways that support new businesses and make us global leaders.
I will work with our legislature so that Vermont can be an innovator in land use planning, high-speed telecommunications systems, public transportation, and new partnerships with our utilities and other energy providers to build a system in which we do better by using less.
Vermont has a great opportunity to lead the way in the battle against global warming. We can also transform the Vermont economy, building an exciting new economy based on efficient and clean energy and attracting clean-energy businesses to our state.
In a position paper I released at the end of June, I put forth my Energy Empowerment Principles, outlining what I believe to be basic rights for Vermonters:
- RELIABILITY: All Vermonters should have access to secure and reliable heat, electricity and transportation, even in the face of external problems such as market changes, supply disruptions or political instability abroad.
- SECURITY: All Vermonters (individuals, communities and businesses) should be able to stay warm, keep the lights on, and get from one place to another without having to sacrifice other basic needs.
- RESPONSIBILITY: Vermonters have the right to an energy supply that reflects concern for economic strength, the environment and their communities.
- LEADERSHIP: Vermonters want to be innovators and leaders. They deserve a Governor who will take the necessary actions to ensure affordable, reliable and responsible energy that promotes a sound State economy.
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Scudder Parker's Energy Vision for Vermont |
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Policy Statement, June 27, 2006. |
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View the PDF of Scudder's latest policy statement about Energy. |
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Agriculture |
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