Mayoral Candidates Stress Concern over Clean Energy
By Marlon Saucedo – Oct. 1, 2014
AUSTIN, TX – On Wednesday afternoon, Mayoral candidates, council member Mike Martinez, attorney Steve Adler and Mayor Pro Tem, Sheryl Cole gathered at the University of Texas to participate in a forum moderated by, Clay Butler, a lawyer who focuses on clean energy cases. The discussion involved the candidates providing their stances and proposals as they responded to questions about the clean energy industry in Austin and the economic development created from it.
This year’s election on Nov. 4 brings the candidates a near clean slate with the new 10-ONE system being brought to the city’s council. It will be a new platform for candidates, since council members will now be elected in their respective districts.
“We have a unique opportunity with this 10-ONE system, to reboot and to redo government culture. We need to take the opportunity to move forward in a very different way”, said Adler, who spoke about his opposition with the decisions and policies that Austin’s council had implemented in the past 8 years.
Affordability was a topic that Adler gave great importance to, in criticizing the way that the city council has managed Austin when it comes to investing in clean energy development.
“If you really want to fund these things, then we have to address the affordability issue that the city has,” said Adler.
Although Adler felt that council members weren’t addressing Austin’s affordability issue, Martinez, pointed out that Adler had no right to criticize due to his inexperience within the council.
“It’s real easy to criticize us, we have a public record, good or bad. Steve has no record,” said Martinez.
Martinez proposed for the future council to invest highly in alternatives to natural gas while simultaneously investing in local industries which develop clean technology.
“For every dollar you spend on creating a green job the multiplier effect has a tremendous impact on our local economy,” said Martinez.
When asked about Austin investing in a natural gas plant, Martinez proposed to use the city’s existing plant as a last resort and sided with different methods of energy like wind and solar.
An issue of the discussion that gained consensus among the candidates was that of the city council’s staff and Austin Energy management having the necessary means to execute Austin’s clean energy vision and holding them accountable.
“I do think that we have a team that is capable of carrying out the goals that have been set, but they do need to be directed in a clear manner, and they need to be held on the carpet when they don’t do that,” said Cole.
Although, Cole would want to promote clean energy methods, she made it clear that she had no plans to increase funds for clean energy.
Among the attendees of the discussion, local Austinite, Gary King mentioned that he was unimpressed by Adler’s lack of experience.
“I thought Adler knows less knows less than the other two because he’s just been involved less, so he’s willing to admit what he doesn’t know,” said King.
Others in attendance felt that the candidates we’re mostly in agreement in their stances of the clean energy issues.
“I didn’t see any very clear distinction on the issues discussed,” said Austin resident, Mark Kapner.
Early voting will take place from Oct. 20 to Oct. 31, leading up to election day on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Marlon C.S. 