Republican presidential hopeful and Ohio Gov. John Kasich told voters in New Hampshire last week he believes renewable energy is a core part of the country’s energy future.
In response to a voter’s question about his positions on clean energy, Kasich said it’s important for the United States to develop viable wind and solar energy sources.
“We’re going to participate in the development of renewables, end of story,” he said.
Kasich has stated he believes climate change is real and taking place, but he’s balked at implementing clean energy policies in his state.
In September, he tried to get President Obama to delay his Clean Power Plan rules for limiting carbon emissions on new and existing coal power plants. He’s also proposed limiting federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing, wants to increase natural gas and oil production on public lands and signed legislation that froze requirements for Ohio utilities to ramp up the use of renewable energy.
During the town hall in New Hampshire, Kasich defended his record by saying he fought against lawmakers in Ohio who wanted to scrap that program.
“I said we’re Americans, we’re also Ohioans, we need to set this thing at a level that will work for our state, but I believe in solar and wind,” he said. “I believe it’s very important.”
While in New Hampshire last week, Kasich also said he’s in favor of battery storage technology to increase the viability of wind and solar energy.
“When the wind doesn’t blow, wind doesn’t work that well, and when the sun doesn’t shine, solar doesn’t work that well,” he said. “But, with battery technology you can store this stuff. … We need to be sensitive about the environment, but I don’t want it to be inconsistent with people getting work.”
Kasich’s comments came as welcome news to Khalid Pitts, national political director for the Sierra Club.
Pitts said Kasich’s record on renewable energy is discouraging, but he’s hopeful that the governor will push clean energy policies more during his campaign and in Ohio.
“With states like Iowa and Texas already getting large portions of their electricity from wind alone, one of the things stopping Ohio from joining them is Kasich’s record,” Pitts said. “Now, it’s more important than ever that we hear from all candidates more than just rhetoric, but specifics about how they will help transform America into a green energy economy powered by clean, renewable energy like solar, wind and storage.”
Kasich’s comments make him the second Republican presidential candidate who has tried to appeal to Granite State voters by promoting clean energy this month.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who has been skeptical of climate change and renewable energy, told voters at a town hall meeting two weeks ago that he wants the United States to be the worldwide leader in renewable energy.
