1st CD: N.H. candidates tackle questions on economy
Boston Globe: 1st CD: N.H. candidates tackle questions on economy
By Kathy McCormack
Associated Press Writer / August 10, 2008
CONCORD, N.H.—The way to ease the pain of high prices at the pump, the grocery store and winter heating contracts is to invest in renewable energy sources and expand oil drilling at home, most of the candidates in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District agree.
But Congress can take some steps in the short-term to stabilize prices or possibly reverse the trend of higher prices, said Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, responding to an Associated Press questionnaire on economic issues.
"Removing speculators from our oil market is one way, releasing a small amount of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is another," she wrote. She said long-term answers also are required.
"I agree with T. Boone Pickens, a well-known oil man, that this is one emergency we can't drill our way out of," Shea-Porter said. "We must encourage responsible drilling here at home, we must invest heavily in renewable energy sources and we must conserve energy where we can."
Last month, Shea-Porter voted against lifting the ban on offshore oil drilling.
Shea-Porter, who is unopposed for the Democratic nomination, will face one of four Republican challengers following the Sept. 9 primary.
"We should move quickly to remove restriction on oil exploration in Alaska, oil and gas exploration offshore, oil shale in the Rockies, tar sands in Utah and for other opportunities to increase our energy supply," said John Stephen of Manchester, former commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Congress also needs to extend tax credits for renewable energy and otherwise promote energy independence "by giving businesses and individuals the financial incentive to put renewable energy strategies to work," Stephen said.
Jeb Bradley, who represented the district for two terms before losing to Shea-Porter in 2006, said domestic supplies of oil and natural gas must be increased by allowing exploration in previously off-limits areas such as coastal regions and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
"We should proceed with new nuclear generating plants and resolve the waste disposal issue," Bradley said. "Clean coal technology offers promising opportunities."
Among the renewable and energy-efficient technologies Bradley advocates are wind, solar, tidal and geothermal, hydrogen fuel cell and plug-in hybrid autos. "A New Hampshire power plant in the Seacoast burns wood, not coal, due to legislation I wrote when serving in the New Hampshire Legislature," he said.
By Kathy McCormack
Associated Press Writer / August 10, 2008
CONCORD, N.H.—The way to ease the pain of high prices at the pump, the grocery store and winter heating contracts is to invest in renewable energy sources and expand oil drilling at home, most of the candidates in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District agree.
But Congress can take some steps in the short-term to stabilize prices or possibly reverse the trend of higher prices, said Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, responding to an Associated Press questionnaire on economic issues.
"Removing speculators from our oil market is one way, releasing a small amount of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is another," she wrote. She said long-term answers also are required.
"I agree with T. Boone Pickens, a well-known oil man, that this is one emergency we can't drill our way out of," Shea-Porter said. "We must encourage responsible drilling here at home, we must invest heavily in renewable energy sources and we must conserve energy where we can."
Last month, Shea-Porter voted against lifting the ban on offshore oil drilling.
Shea-Porter, who is unopposed for the Democratic nomination, will face one of four Republican challengers following the Sept. 9 primary.
"We should move quickly to remove restriction on oil exploration in Alaska, oil and gas exploration offshore, oil shale in the Rockies, tar sands in Utah and for other opportunities to increase our energy supply," said John Stephen of Manchester, former commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Congress also needs to extend tax credits for renewable energy and otherwise promote energy independence "by giving businesses and individuals the financial incentive to put renewable energy strategies to work," Stephen said.
Jeb Bradley, who represented the district for two terms before losing to Shea-Porter in 2006, said domestic supplies of oil and natural gas must be increased by allowing exploration in previously off-limits areas such as coastal regions and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
"We should proceed with new nuclear generating plants and resolve the waste disposal issue," Bradley said. "Clean coal technology offers promising opportunities."
Among the renewable and energy-efficient technologies Bradley advocates are wind, solar, tidal and geothermal, hydrogen fuel cell and plug-in hybrid autos. "A New Hampshire power plant in the Seacoast burns wood, not coal, due to legislation I wrote when serving in the New Hampshire Legislature," he said.
Geoff Michael of Merrimack, a business consultant, favors increasing
domestic oil supplies. "This will require more drilling both on land
and sea, and I believe we have the environmental policies in place to
provide reasonable levels of protection to these areas," he said.
And David Jarvis of Hooksett, a telecommunications engineer running for the second time in the district, said Congress should "impeach the president, rescind the policy of pre-emption, and begin a robust diplomatic effort with Iran. That would significantly reduce the risk of war, thus reducing energy prices."
Bradley and Shea-Porter felt the economic stimulus checks taxpayers received this spring helped the economy a little, but said rising gas prices and unemployment limited the impact.
"Lower costs for energy, health care and food as well as lower taxes (preferably a flat tax) will help to stimulate the economy for the short term and bring it long-term stability," Bradley said.
Shea-Porter supports stimulating the economy again by increasing spending on the federal home heating assistance program and expanding eligibility for it.
Stephen, Michael and Jarvis felt the stimulus package added to the deficit. "The most important things we can do to secure our economic future include balancing the budget, lowering taxes, and getting government out of the way of business expansion," Michael said.
Jarvis said increases in food stamps and Medicare should be considered instead "in order to avoid further bankruptcies caused by food or health care costs."
Stephen said the type of stimulus that would actually work would be one that "gives people back more of their own money through tax cuts and make spending reductions to keep our budget balanced."
None of the candidates favored increasing Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. insurance based on the recent failure of IndyMac Bank. The limits are $100,000 on bank deposits and $250,000 for retirement accounts.
"While I am concerned about the current economic state, this is not the Great Depression and the failure of IndyMac Bank is an isolated event," Shea-Porter said.
And David Jarvis of Hooksett, a telecommunications engineer running for the second time in the district, said Congress should "impeach the president, rescind the policy of pre-emption, and begin a robust diplomatic effort with Iran. That would significantly reduce the risk of war, thus reducing energy prices."
Bradley and Shea-Porter felt the economic stimulus checks taxpayers received this spring helped the economy a little, but said rising gas prices and unemployment limited the impact.
"Lower costs for energy, health care and food as well as lower taxes (preferably a flat tax) will help to stimulate the economy for the short term and bring it long-term stability," Bradley said.
Shea-Porter supports stimulating the economy again by increasing spending on the federal home heating assistance program and expanding eligibility for it.
Stephen, Michael and Jarvis felt the stimulus package added to the deficit. "The most important things we can do to secure our economic future include balancing the budget, lowering taxes, and getting government out of the way of business expansion," Michael said.
Jarvis said increases in food stamps and Medicare should be considered instead "in order to avoid further bankruptcies caused by food or health care costs."
Stephen said the type of stimulus that would actually work would be one that "gives people back more of their own money through tax cuts and make spending reductions to keep our budget balanced."
None of the candidates favored increasing Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. insurance based on the recent failure of IndyMac Bank. The limits are $100,000 on bank deposits and $250,000 for retirement accounts.
"While I am concerned about the current economic state, this is not the Great Depression and the failure of IndyMac Bank is an isolated event," Shea-Porter said.
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