2nd Congressional District Candidates Debate Energy Issues

Last night at Colorado Law, Colorado’s Second Congressional District candidates Joan Fitz-Gerald (D), Jared Polis (D), and Will Shafroth (D) squared off in a debate over what the United States should do to achieve energy security and halt global warming. At the time, there was no Republican candidate in the race for the congressional seat now held by Mark Udall. With about 300 in attendance at the event sponsored by Colorado Law’s Center for Energy & Environmental Security (CEES), each candidate described how the nation’s coal, oil, and gas might be converted into a renewable-energy civilization of the future.

"The great thing about this election is that no one here is just horrible on this issue," Polis told the audience. "The real challenge will be to find the leadership to break the influence that the oil and gas industry wields in Congress."

Fitz-Gerald mentioned the necessity for more R&D for coal. Polis does not believe that clean-coal technology is in our future. And Shafroth would oppose additional coal power plants until the technology reduces more carbon emissions.

A video of the debate can be found on the CEES website.