Candidates (for MT Gov) see wind, coal as energy solutions

[Ediacara]

Candidates see wind, coal as energy solutions

By CHARLES S. JOHNSON
Gazette State Bureau

HELENA - The six major political party candidates for governor have different energy strategies, with some calling for more use of alternative energy, while others want to increase the use of Montana's coal to produce energy.

Tim Vosburgh, a wildlife biologist from Boulder, submitted this question: "What strategies and objectives would you support and initiate to help reduce the nation's demand for energy?"

The Gazette State Bureau submitted Vosburgh's question to the four Republican and two Democrats seeking their respective party's nomination in the June 8 primary election.

Democrats Brian Schweitzer and John Vincent and Republicans Bob Brown and Ken Miller called for greater use of wind power to reduce demand for other types of energy. Some had other proposals as well.

More at the Billings Gazette

[markus]

1. North Dakota is going the same way

However, we are constrained by our transmission capacity out of state, and the NIMBY attitude toward power lines.

[AmericanErrorist]

2. Two Democratic/Gop Canadates

Oh, tell me the primary's yet to happen there...

[Ediacara]

3. Our primary is June 8th

It'll probably be Schweitzer (D) vs Brown or Davison (Rs). Believe it or not, I am not sure if anyone has evern conducted polling for the primary or general election matchup.

ON EDIT: to add there are actually four Republicans running, the other two didn't make it into the third paragraph though. In the article, the Gazette gives a synopsis of each candidate's responses, and is pretty good for just a paragraph.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. Schweitzer and Vincent answers

Brian Schweitzer, Democrat, Whitefish farmer-rancher: "Montana should produce 20 percent of our electricity using our wind. Pay Montana wind electricity producers the same price as for coal and hydropower, and millions of dollars will be invested in Montana wind projects. Montana is the only place in the Western hemisphere that possesses all the components needed to fuel the hydrogen economy. We have abundant wind to fuel the process that separates hydrogen from coal, natural gas or ethanol; platinum and palladium to produce the fuel cells; and abundant limestone to sequester the carbon. Hydrogen will be the pollution-free, cheap supply of energy for the future."

John Vincent, Democrat, Gallatin County commissioner from Gallatin Gateway and former state legislator: "First, I would create a Montana Energy Commission, which would report directly to me. It would be charged with ending the ongoing impasse between the PSC, the Legislature and the executive. The 'energy buck' would stop in my office. Second, develop Montana's wind resources. We have the fifth greatest wind resource in the nation, but we've only developed 0.2 percent of it. Third, introduce legislation to encourage the use of clean coal technologies, specifically those aimed at converting coal to hydrogen. Finally, I would do everything in my power to reverse the disastrous effects of deregulation."
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2004/04/15/build/state/35-ask-candidates.inc

At least Vincent mentions the deregulation boondoggle -- but I don't support any of Montana's tax revenue to support 'clean coal technologies' -- yes we have large coal reserves, but, they aren't going anywhere... I support the feds putting money towards that, and the coal will still be there after the technology is developed...

[Ediacara]

5. I agree with you about the clean coal technologies

I think that Schweitzer and Vincent added in talk about coal just to get coal lobbies from painting them as anti-coal. IMHO Coal is a dead end for energy production, as it's limited SO much more than limestone (and I am not terribly thrilled about using LS...), and it's an environmental disaster to get to.

[stevedeshazer]

6. I agreed most with Schweitzer

Using wind power to drive hydrogen production is a good start toward energy independence.