Kerry's Jubilee

[JI7]

He has the jaw and build of Paul Bunyan; he windsurfs, kite-boards, and snowboards; and he's married to Teresa Heinz, one of the most powerful environmental philanthropists in the country. He has his finger on every hot-button environmental issue in D.C., from helping to lead the Senate campaign against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to pushing for improved fuel-efficiency standards to advocating for an aggressive renewable energy development plan. With the exception of that Harley Davidson Wide Glide he likes to parade at campaign events, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) looks to be the ultimate embodiment of Beltway eco-chic.

But what goes on behind the glossy-green public image? What does this presidential candidate's environmental record really look like after his nearly 20 years in the U.S. Senate? Rifle through the archives of the League of Conservation Voters, and you'll find he gets an A+ -- literally. Kerry has a 96-percent lifetime voting record, outscoring all of the other candidates. (Lieberman comes in second with 93 percent.) Despite concerns that Kerry is a limousine liberal, there seem to be few contradictions between his environmental image and his track record -- a couple of peccadilloes aside. (Beyond his Harley, which he says he'll never relinquish, Kerry the renewables advocate is hesitant to support the Cape Wind project in his own state, likely influenced by his wealthy, beachfront-owning constituents who oppose the wind-energy farm.)

Late one recent night (at 11 p.m. EST, to be exact), Grist tracked Kerry down on the campaign trail -- rather, in the campaign jet, flying from Colorado to Boston -- to discuss his environmental record, President Bush's "New Environmentalism," and balancing his vision for a clean-energy future with his passion for his motorcycle.

http://www.gristmagazine.com/maindish/kerry092303.asp

[sandnsea]

1. First

I have looked into wind farms. Not because of Cape Cod, but because I'm interested and have come to the conclusion that they offer an amazing opportunity for renewable energy. But... They kill birds. The migration of various birds always has to be considered. They are noisy. The marine life has to be considered. Around 15 sites are being considered around Cape Cod, they are a year away from even deciding on a site. There's nothing for him to comment on because there isn't even a location yet.

Now I'll go read the rest of the article.

[sandnsea]

2. Great article, so many ideas

biomass ethanol, testing chemicals, urban strategy for planned spaces, on and on it goes!

I didn't know California is 13% renewable energy, that's impressive.

And Teresa, "Through her philanthropy she built a green, self-sustaining building in Pittsburgh." We're going to have to blog on this, I want to see what it's all about!

He can put out more ideas in ten minutes than the entire Bush family has had in their collective lives.

Thanks J!

[molly]

3. He is our strongest pro-environment candidate

the article was great!

[sandnsea]

4. Kick

This is a great article. Deserves a big old

:kick: