This is the fourth in my election diary series sharing information about Matt Zeller, Democrat for US House in my home district, NY 29.
Previous diaries in the series are:
Matt Zeller on Creating Jobs in Western New York here
Matt Zeller on Protecting Our Seniors here
Matt Zeller on Defending our National Security here
Our Energy future is one of those challenges Matt Zeller has invested himself in. His deep interest is born of personal experience as a veteran of Afghanistan and his time studying International Relations and Public Administration at Syracuse University's Maxwell School (duel Master's degrees -- the guy is no slouch!), and it has been especially evident in the time he has spent during the past eight months traveling the Southern Tier and Western New York.
Matt Zeller has had many conversations on the road here about the specifics of how our current energy limitations affect the people of NY-29, from the day to day costs of fueling our homes and businesses, to the impact on our security.
He has also heard and shared ideas on our opportunity in NY-29 to play a part in a green energy future, with the kinds of jobs that can't be outsourced abroad, as well as concerns about choices like hydrofracking that have both potential benefits and potential risks that need to be carefully considered.
When it comes to energy, Matt Zeller's views offer a vision of what he would do as Congressman for NY-29. They also offer a vision about who we are and what we can do as a region:
Energy intersects with nearly every other issue we face as a nation, from national security to creating jobs to protecting our environment. Solving our nation's energy crisis may be the most pressing issue of the coming decades, and we need leaders in Washington with the courage to address this issue head on and ask the tough questions.
There is no 'silver bullet' solution that will meet all our energy needs. Moving forward will require a comprehensive strategy that develops multiple sources of domestic energy while working on long-term development of renewable resources.
What are the critical focus areas that Matt Zeller would bring to Congress for NY-29?
Freedom from Foreign Oil
We need to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil, and we need to do it fast. Without domestic sources of energy, we are effectively dependent upon the whims of unstable, foreign regimes that don't always have our best interests at heart. In the short term, this means increasing domestic production of fossil fuels while we work to transition our economy to cleaner, renewable alternatives like wind, solar and bio energy.
Innovation - Not Taxation
No major economic shift in history has been brought on by taxation or artificial incentives. People didn't stop riding horses and start driving cars because of a horse tax; they did it because cars were more efficient and less expensive to operate. While it is clear that we need to encourage Americans to use less oil and more renewable energy, the solution is not going to be found in energy taxes; instead, we need to invest in innovation to develop low-cost, high-efficiency renewable energy sources. Western New York and the Southern Tier can be a leader in this new industry, and I will work to bring research and technology incubators to the 29th District to create the next generation of alternative energy jobs.
Protect our Natural Treasures
I grew up spending my summers at camp on Keuka Lake and visiting my grandparents in Allegany County, and I know that New York's 29th District is home to some of the most beautiful land in the entire country. We need to work together to protect our natural treasures and to ensure that they are here for future generations of hunters, fishermen and nature lovers from across the country.
On Wednesday night, you and your opponent Tom Reed got into the subject of Hydrofracking at your debate in Canandaigua. Reed has been very positive about the potential of hydrofracking. As you pointed out, he has raised a good amount of campaign money ($30,000) from natural gas companies, which could help explain his willingness to support their plans. What is it about hydrofracking that makes you want to be more thorough in review and monitoring before opening the door for drilling?
I have serious concerns about drilling for gas in the Marcellus Shale that lies under much of the Southern Tier, and in particular, use of the technique known as Hydrofracking. While it is essential that we continue working to develop safe, clean domestic sources of energy, there are many unanswered questions about the exploitation of reserves under the Marcellus Shale. In light of the tragedy unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico, we need to thoroughly study the full environmental impact of extracting gas from below the Marcellus Shale before we allow drilling to move forward.
One of Matt's earliest posts as a candidate was about hydrofracking.
So, bottom line, how does energy fit into the list of priorities that you would take with you to Congress? And what do you see as your role as a Congressional leader on energy?
Just as energy is the major challenge of the coming decades, it is also the greatest opportunity that we have for economic growth. The United States can and should be the world's leader in renewable and energy-efficient technologies, and I am committed to fighting to make that happen - and to bringing those jobs here to Western New York and the Southern Tier.
There are a few days left for you to get involved.
You can catch Matt at one of the many local events, a schedule is on his Events page at ZellerForCongress.com
You can also contact Matt Zeller for Congress by:
Phone: (585) 869-5171
Email: info@zellerforcongress.com
Matt's Facebook page
And follow Matt on Twitter: @ZellerNY29
And of course you can donate to help Matt Zeller's campaign on his page at ActBlue