tigerhonaker
10-29-2006, 08:27 PM
Missourian News
October 29, 2006
House hopefuls differ
on future energy needs
Two of four candidates in the Ninth District say ethanol is a short-term solution.
By ROBYN CORRELL and DWAYNE MAMO
High gas prices, foreign dependence on oil and potential future crises overseas are prompting both political candidates and the public to search for energy solutions.
When it comes to energy policy, Missouri’s Ninth District congressional hopefuls — Republican incumbent Kenny Hulshof, Democrat Duane Burghard, Progressive Party candidate Bill Hastings and Libertarian Steven Hedrick — are all looking toward the future.
Hulshof said there needs to be a comprehensive approach that “promotes conservation, encourages technological innovation and allows for responsible energy exploration.” He called himself a congressional “champion” of energy policy because of his support for ethanol and his promotion of biodiesel fuels and solar, wind and clean-coal technologies.
Hulshof said he supports offsetting infrastructure costs in the development of E-85 technology, which allows vehicles to run on higher levels of crop-derived ethanol. He’s also a proponent of cellulosic ethanol technology, which converts homegrown feedstocks, such as switch-grass and corn stalks, into ethanol.
“We need to look at the Midwest — not the Middle East,” Hulshof said.
While Burghard supports exploring alternative and renewable sources of energy, he said that biodiesel and ethanol are good “short-term solutions.”
“We need to spend more money on research development now,” he said. “We need to work on long-term solutions while implementing short-term measures.” Burghard wants to bring some of these long-term programs, such as clean coal technology and wind energy plants, to Missouri.
He has consulted engineers and scientists from the GreenFuel Technologies Corp., which is developing clean coal technology. The process converts harmful smokestack gasses, such as nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide, into energy-rich biomass that can be used as a renewable fuel source.
“According to them, our coal plants are ready to be retrofitted,” Burghard said, “and the return on investment would be huge. It would cost $25 million to $30 million to retrofit and create $400 million to $500 million in power output in 25 years. We already have the coal plants, the coal, the mine workers and the land.”
Burghard is also calling for incentives for automobile companies to produce hybrid and flex-fuel vehicles and for consumers looking to purchase hybrids and energy-efficient appliances.
Hedrick would also like to see more incentives that would lower the cost of hybrid vehicles for consumers. He said he doesn’t think America has a problem with foreign dependence on oil and that the nation should try to use resources within the country.
Hastings also said that options like ethanol are short-term solutions. He called for a 20-year energy plan.
“We need to encourage conservation and efficiency and focus on renewable energy,” he said, “even if we have to raise taxes on fossil fuels.”
Calling himself a tax-and-spend liberal who believes in free enterprise, Hastings said that when it comes to energy, it’s going to take small changes on an individual basis.
“If you tax people, it forces them to make decisions,” he said. “Maybe people will make the decision to drive a little less. Instead of heating their houses so much, people may choose to wear a sweater.”
He advocates using tax money to research and develop renewable fuels and find solutions to problems of energy storage and transmission.
“These new energies will become competitive,” he said. “When the crunch comes, I hope we’ll be ready to switch.”
http://columbiamissourian.com/news/story.php?ID=22529
Copyright © 2006 Columbia Missourian
October 29, 2006
House hopefuls differ
on future energy needs
Two of four candidates in the Ninth District say ethanol is a short-term solution.
By ROBYN CORRELL and DWAYNE MAMO
High gas prices, foreign dependence on oil and potential future crises overseas are prompting both political candidates and the public to search for energy solutions.
When it comes to energy policy, Missouri’s Ninth District congressional hopefuls — Republican incumbent Kenny Hulshof, Democrat Duane Burghard, Progressive Party candidate Bill Hastings and Libertarian Steven Hedrick — are all looking toward the future.
Hulshof said there needs to be a comprehensive approach that “promotes conservation, encourages technological innovation and allows for responsible energy exploration.” He called himself a congressional “champion” of energy policy because of his support for ethanol and his promotion of biodiesel fuels and solar, wind and clean-coal technologies.
Hulshof said he supports offsetting infrastructure costs in the development of E-85 technology, which allows vehicles to run on higher levels of crop-derived ethanol. He’s also a proponent of cellulosic ethanol technology, which converts homegrown feedstocks, such as switch-grass and corn stalks, into ethanol.
“We need to look at the Midwest — not the Middle East,” Hulshof said.
While Burghard supports exploring alternative and renewable sources of energy, he said that biodiesel and ethanol are good “short-term solutions.”
“We need to spend more money on research development now,” he said. “We need to work on long-term solutions while implementing short-term measures.” Burghard wants to bring some of these long-term programs, such as clean coal technology and wind energy plants, to Missouri.
He has consulted engineers and scientists from the GreenFuel Technologies Corp., which is developing clean coal technology. The process converts harmful smokestack gasses, such as nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide, into energy-rich biomass that can be used as a renewable fuel source.
“According to them, our coal plants are ready to be retrofitted,” Burghard said, “and the return on investment would be huge. It would cost $25 million to $30 million to retrofit and create $400 million to $500 million in power output in 25 years. We already have the coal plants, the coal, the mine workers and the land.”
Burghard is also calling for incentives for automobile companies to produce hybrid and flex-fuel vehicles and for consumers looking to purchase hybrids and energy-efficient appliances.
Hedrick would also like to see more incentives that would lower the cost of hybrid vehicles for consumers. He said he doesn’t think America has a problem with foreign dependence on oil and that the nation should try to use resources within the country.
Hastings also said that options like ethanol are short-term solutions. He called for a 20-year energy plan.
“We need to encourage conservation and efficiency and focus on renewable energy,” he said, “even if we have to raise taxes on fossil fuels.”
Calling himself a tax-and-spend liberal who believes in free enterprise, Hastings said that when it comes to energy, it’s going to take small changes on an individual basis.
“If you tax people, it forces them to make decisions,” he said. “Maybe people will make the decision to drive a little less. Instead of heating their houses so much, people may choose to wear a sweater.”
He advocates using tax money to research and develop renewable fuels and find solutions to problems of energy storage and transmission.
“These new energies will become competitive,” he said. “When the crunch comes, I hope we’ll be ready to switch.”
http://columbiamissourian.com/news/story.php?ID=22529
Copyright © 2006 Columbia Missourian