Wesley Clark Seeks Renewable Energy Standard

by Edward X. Young, Staff Writer, SolarAccess.com

 U.S. Democratic Presidential Candidate, Retired General Wesley Clark expresses support for a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) at a campaign stop in Peterborough, New Hampshire.

Image: SolarAccess.com

 

"We need to move towards energy independence with natural renewable fuel sources like wind and solar power."

- U.S. Democratic Presidential Candidate, Retired General Wesley Clark

Peterborough, New Hampshire - January, 8, 2004 [SolarAccess.com] At the Town Hall in Peterborough, New Hampshire (the home base of SolarAccess.com) Democratic Presidential Candidate General Wesley Clark discussed issues concerning renewable energy as a means of protecting the environment, fighting global warming, and achieving energy independence.

Rather than separate himself from his audience by speaking from an elevated stage, Clark had the seating at the Town Hall rearranged into a circle, so that he could stand among the people during his extemporaneous presentation. Accompanied by former New Hampshire Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Fernald, Clark, casually dressed in a sweater and sports slacks, strode to the center of the hall.

Fernald introduced Clark to a cheering crowd of over 900, who braved frigid temperatures of 15 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill factor of 2 degrees to come to Peterborough (a town with a population of less than 6,000) to hear the candidate speak from 12 noon until 1:30 p.m. yesterday.

Clark criticized President George W. Bush for having the audacity to claim that his current administration stands for family values while the President largely ignores viable renewable energy technology in favor of continuing to support polluting energy industries that are harming the air and water.

"You can't talk about family values if you're going to wreck our environment," said Clark.

The candidate cited scientific studies that support theoretical estimations that the Bush Administration's policies that disregard environmental concerns, if left unchecked, would eventually kill over 100,000 American citizens from pollution-related illnesses.

Clark said that renewable energy objectives are among his top specific goals to establish a "higher standard of leadership" that will bring the Nation together.

"We need to move towards energy independence with natural renewable fuel sources like wind and solar power," said Clark. "We've got the technology. We've got the know-how. We just don't have the political will. But when I am elected President, we will have the political will."

Clark told this SolarAccess.com reporter that he would fully support a national Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) to provide 10 percent of our country's electricity needs from renewable energy by 2013 -- and growing to 20 percent by 2020.

"I want the RPS and much more," said Clark. "I explain it all on my website."

On his website, Clark calls President Bush's environmental record a disgrace. Clark accuses the President of betraying the public trust and mortgaging our children's future.

"We can do better than George W. Bush," said Clark. "And we must!"
For Further Information:

• Clark for President

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