Reply #4: Schweitzer and Vincent answers [View All]

Brian Schweitzer, Democrat, Whitefish farmer-rancher: "Montana should produce 20 percent of our electricity using our wind. Pay Montana wind electricity producers the same price as for coal and hydropower, and millions of dollars will be invested in Montana wind projects. Montana is the only place in the Western hemisphere that possesses all the components needed to fuel the hydrogen economy. We have abundant wind to fuel the process that separates hydrogen from coal, natural gas or ethanol; platinum and palladium to produce the fuel cells; and abundant limestone to sequester the carbon. Hydrogen will be the pollution-free, cheap supply of energy for the future."

John Vincent, Democrat, Gallatin County commissioner from Gallatin Gateway and former state legislator: "First, I would create a Montana Energy Commission, which would report directly to me. It would be charged with ending the ongoing impasse between the PSC, the Legislature and the executive. The 'energy buck' would stop in my office. Second, develop Montana's wind resources. We have the fifth greatest wind resource in the nation, but we've only developed 0.2 percent of it. Third, introduce legislation to encourage the use of clean coal technologies, specifically those aimed at converting coal to hydrogen. Finally, I would do everything in my power to reverse the disastrous effects of deregulation."
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2004/04/15/build/state/35-ask-candidates.inc

At least Vincent mentions the deregulation boondoggle -- but I don't support any of Montana's tax revenue to support 'clean coal technologies' -- yes we have large coal reserves, but, they aren't going anywhere... I support the feds putting money towards that, and the coal will still be there after the technology is developed...