The two leading candidates battling to be the states next commissioner of agriculture and consumer services focused on alternative energy Thursday, each one insisting that he would be better for Floridians looking to tap into renewable energy sources including solar power, biofuels and wind.
At a morning press conference former Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox, the Democratic nominee, attacked Republican opponent U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam for not supporting alternative energy despite running commercials touting his support of it.
Maddox criticized an ad Putnam ran in 2008 when he was running for re-election as well as a new commercial for his agriculture bid.
Congressman Putnam got it right when he said, the concept is simple enough, even a child can understand.Our state needs real leaders who will be honest about our dependence on foreign oil and who will make an honest investment in green jobs and new technologies, said Maddox, quoting a line from the 2008 commercial.But we dont need hypocritical 'say-one-thing and do-another career politicians like Putnam.
The Maddox team played Putnams 2008 commercial.
Maddox focused on votes Putnam made from 2007-2009 and blasted Putnam for not voting on the Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program on Sept. 16.
The votes made by Congressman Putnam hurt everyday Floridians, insisted Maddox.
Maddox called on Putnam to join him in calling for House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, to allow state residents who looked to convert to solar power access to rebates funded by the federal government. Gov. Charlie Crist and Cretul have clashed on access to the rebates.
The speaker of the House is holding those dollars hostage in a tug-of-war with the governor, said Maddox.
Maddox featured Pete Rosen, a solar contractor who moved from Florida to Arizona due to the stalled rebate program, and two Floridians who switched over to solar talk about their frustrations on the states inaction. Rosen said that $51 million in rebates are being held in the pipeline due to the Legislature not moving those federal rebates on to Floridians.
Putnam responded on Thursday afternoon, saying that Maddox was distorting his record on alternative energy and pointed to the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.
My record of support for alternative and renewable energy technologies is clear, and dates back years before the home stretch of a statewide campaign, said Putnam.
I was an early leader shaping America's farm policy into renewable energy from cellulose, rather than just corn, added Putnam. I have been endorsed by the Florida Feedstock Growers Association, a newly formed organization of farmers dedicated to growing our way toward greater energy security. I have a plan to make the most of our resources to generate waste to energy, create electricity and cellulosic ethanol from energy crops grown here, and creating jobs here.
My vision for Florida is optimistic, substantive and clear, concluded Putnam. We can use traditional industries like agriculture to create new jobs in our state. If I wanted the same tired old name calling, I'd have stayed in Washington.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
