By
Cat Viglienzoni - June 30, 2010
The fight for governor turned green last night at the Old
South Meeting House. At the 2010 Gubernatorial Forum on Energy and the Environment,
the candidates outlined how each would balance the need for jobs and economic
growth and development with concern for the environment.
Participants included incumbent and Democratic candidate
Deval Patrick, Independent candidate Tim Cahill and Green-Rainbow candidate Jill
Stein. Republican candidate Charlie Baker did not attend but sent Senate
Minority Leader Brad Jones to speak on his behalf.
Candidates fielded questions from panelists, event
sponsors and audience members on topics ranging from Cape Wind to climate change
to chemical poisoning to casinos, but the main emphases were on jobs and the
economy.
Patrick touted his administration's environmental
policies, focusing on projects like Cape Wind, which he said is right for the
state and country and is a "big part of our clean energy story." Patrick said more projects like it are
necessary to boost alternative energy.
"It's good for us from an energy perspective, from an
environmental perspective, from an economic perspective, and I think it is huge,
and a matter of real pride that this is the first offshore wind farm in America
and it's here in Massachusetts," he said.
Cahill acknowledged his policy ideas may not always be popular
with environmentalists, but he said he will work to balance the needs for
economic growth with the environment. However, he said if he has to come down
on a side, he will come down on the side of development because of the state of
the economy.
"If I have to lean, it will be towards pro-growth,
pro-development, pro-economic growth and opportunity," he said. "And sometimes
that will mean that we'll be in fights with environmentalists who don't want us
to build in certain places."
Stein called for an overhaul in environmental policy and
politics on Beacon Hill.
"It's never been clearer that the environment is in
crisis, and that's a crisis also for our economy, for our health and our national
security," she said. "But the flip side of that crisis is that it's also a
staggering opportunity. You could say it's an 'opportunity emergency.'"
Speaking for Baker, Sen. Jones attempted to clarify Baker's
position on global warming. Baker's stance on global warming - whether it is
caused by humans - has caused some outcry among environmentalists, but Jones
said Baker feels there are multiple reasons to pursue environmentally-friendly
policies and the root cause is not as important.
(Photo
courtesy: Jon Satriale)
