Wharton Sinkler: Ayotte’s climate and energy policy is costly and risky

To The Daily Sun,

Kelly Ayotte’s statements about energy and climate in recent debates have me worried about how she would lead our state. She says her “philosophy on energy is really an all-of-the-above philosophy,” implying she’d accept growing our reliance on fossil fuels. When briefly mentioning renewable energy, she quickly shifts to emphasizing its costs, and her statements omit any acknowledgement of the growing risks we face due to climate change.

Her spin is nothing but a commitment to business as usual on energy, slow walking the shift away from fossil fuels. It means more of the same attitude which has made New Hampshire a regional laggard on developing renewables and other clean energy under Gov. Chris Sununu.

Ayotte would continue this policy of underperformance on growth of clean energy. The problem is, it really ends up being a high-cost approach to energy, in which Granite Staters are vulnerable to cost increases controlled by out-of-state purveyors of polluting fossil fuels. We don’t need another governor with a low ambition energy policy, that leaves us with high costs and exacerbated climate risks. A Kelly Ayotte governorship would steer New Hampshire further down a rut by failing to embrace climate-smart non-polluting and locally-generated power.

Voters have a big choice to make next Tuesday on what our state's energy future will look like. Joyce Craig has shown she’s a smart and courageous leader who will make the investments we need in clean energy. Those investments are cost effective today. Most importantly they protect our kids and grandkids from the high costs and climate impacts of continued reliance on fossil fuels. Vote for Joyce Craig to move our state ahead on clean energy jobs, abundant affordable clean energy, and a safer climate future for generations to come.

Wharton Sinkler

Sandwich