Citizens Groups Investigate Candidates' Positions on Looming Energy Crisis in Nevada County

Published on May 9, 2008 - 7:46:23 AM

By: APPLE, Clean Power Coop of Nevada County and Power Up-Nevada City

NEVADA CITY May 9, 2008 - Given that energy scarcity is one of the most pressing issue on the planet right now, and is the cause of many of the other local and global problems (such as the recent food crisis), some people think that the candidates running for local offices should be asked what they intend to do about it - or if they even know about it?

Three local citizens groups whose intention is to keep Nevada County a viable place to live and a prosperous community in a future when energy is scarce and expensive are working together to make energy security an issue in the 2008 election cycle.

APPLE (the Alliance for a Post Petroleum Local Economy), the Clean Power Coop of Nevada County and Power Up-Nevada City have put together a list of ten questions to be presented to every candidate running for office in Nevada County. The candidates responses will be widely published by the groups as will the names of any candidates who refuse to address the issues.

The groups' intention is to make energy security and economic prosperity an election issue and to get each candidate to take a position on these issues. The candidate's responses will be widely published by the groups as will the names of any candidates who decline to provide written responses to the issues.

A secondary purpose of the campaign is to educate the local public about the consequences of not preparing for an energy scarce future and about the opportunities available to communities who recognize the fundamental economic changes that a new energy paradigm will bring.

The Energy Ten are listed below:

1) Would you support the formation of a local Energy Solutions Task Force as a joint effort between local communities and the County to address uncertainty in future energy supplies?

2) Are you in favor of adopting a local green building requirement to ensure all new construction and remodels are built and tested to meet a high energy efficiency standard?

3) Would you support the investigation of opportunities for local renewable energy generation?

4) Do you see an opportunity for local economic revitalization from green jobs, energy conservation, and renewable energy? What programs would you support?

5) We have a serious air pollution problem in Nevada County; some is locally produced, but the majority is carried in. What actions will you promote locally and in Sacramento to ensure air quality is protected?

6) What threats to public safety and city services do you foresee if the price of transportation and home heating fuel were to double during your term in office?

7) What would you recommend that the citizens do to prepare for sharp increases in energy prices in the future?

8) What do you think are your jurisdiction's primary vulnerabilities in the event of a prolonged energy shortage?

9) What could we do to reduce our dependency on food, fuel, and other necessities imported into our area in order to make our community more resilient to future energy uncertainty?

10) LAST QUESTION: Thank you for answering our questions. In conclusion, what adjustments have you and your family made in response to increasing energy prices that could be an example to the community?

The questions were e-mailed to all of the candidates on Wednesday, May 7th. Responses were requested by Monday, May 19th.

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