California Center for Sustainable Energy

CCSE offered forum for local candidates

Candidates rivaling for local, state and national offices gathered at CCSE for the Candidates Forum on Sustainability on Saturday, Oct. 2. Each candidate, including many third-party candidates, described to local constituents their accomplishments and endeavors related to environmental, energy, transportation and sustainability-related issues.

Proposition 23, the ballot initiative to indefinitely curtail implementation of the California Global Warming Solutions Act, was the marquee topic of the event. Candidates’ views on the initiative ranged from full support to absolute opposition and points in between. Although most candidates at the forum voiced opposition to Prop. 23, it was clear the issue is not a cut and dry one for all candidates.

In his opposition to Prop. 23, Howard Wayne, candidate for San Diego City Council District Six, maintained that sustainability is “a matter of the environment, economy and national security.” Ralph Denney, candidate for Assembly District 76, was quick to say that although greenhouse gas emission mitigation strategies are important, jobs needed to top the list of California officials’ priorities. A representative of Chelene Nightingale, candidate for governor, voiced strong support for Prop. 23 with her campaign statement, “We don’t care about global warming.”

A few local candidates focused their comments on incumbents’ records of failing to secure adequate federal funds for sustainability issues. Stephen Whitburn, candidate for County Board of Supervisor District Four, and Steve Gronke, candidate for County Board of Supervisor District Five, said they would focus on securing more federal funds for San Diegans, especially for public transportation. Supervisor Ron Roberts maintained that his record in environmental advocacy has been strong and pointed to his appointment to the California Air Resource Board and his successful lawnmower exchange program.

The gubernatorial race was broadly represented by three campaigns. California Attorney General Jerry Brown’s proxy read a statement that focused on the need to support a green economy. Meg Whitman’s representative pointed out that the regulatory structure in California stifled progress and needed to be amended before the state could be fixed. Nightingale’s representative focused on the need for American jobs. Those candidates at the forum who were vying for state assembly seats mentioned their regional projects and goals, including land use reform (Toni Atkins, Assembly District 76), biodiversity hotspots (Del Mar City Council member Crystal Crawford), creek cleanups (78th District Assemblyman Marty Block) and the local economy (Ralph Denney).

Candidates for United States Senate and Congress were represented by Francine Busby and Miriam Clark, who are rivals in the U.S. House of Representatives District 50. They both supported energy sustainability as a national security issue. Representatives from U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and Carly Fiorina campaigns and Duane Roberts, who are competing for one of two U.S. Senate seats, discussed job growth through green initiatives. Boxer’s staff member highlighted Boxer’s record of support for energy efficiency legislation, while Fiorina’s representative focused on job creation through business advocacy. Roberts stated his strong support for a green jobs initiative that focuses on rehabilitating housing; he also emphasized halting any new construction of nuclear power plants.

For a detailed listing of all California races, please visit the County of San Diego Registrar of Voters page.

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