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Untitled document
BY Alyssa Dandrea
The Monadnock Ledger-Transcript, June 7, 2011
PETERBOROUGH — Rep. Charlie Bass, R-N.H., kicked off a weeklong green jobs tour in the state's Second Congressional District on Monday afternoon in Peterborough, where he spoke about the importance of pursuing green initiatives both as a technology and a source of employment.
At the Monadnock Country Club, Bass addressed the Peterborough Rotary Club. During the lunch meeting, Bass said that his tour on renewable energy will focus on gaining input from his constituents and that he hopes such dialogue will prompt further discussions throughout the state.
According to Bass, the Monadnock region has the technological history to place itself as a leader in the development of the green jobs sector.
"We know that Peterborough has been the communications center," he said, citing the town's history of numerous publications, textile production and high-tech work force.
"We have all the right ingredients to be flexible and diverse," Bass said. In his opening discussion on green jobs, Bass talked about New England Wood Pellet in Jaffrey, of which he is an owner, and the benefits it has brought to the area over the past few years, including jobs and revenue. On Thursday, there will be a ribbon cutting in New York state for the opening of a third factory, he said.
In an interview with the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript following the talk, Bass said that it is important to understand the resources available in the Monadnock Region for new technologies.
"We have an abundance of wood. We have the ability to develop biomass. We have great wind potential here," he said.
As a part of this process, Bass is working on establishing a biomass caucus in the U.S. Congress.
"I will try to promote the continuation of those benefits that currently accrued to alternative energy through programs and through the tax code," he said.
In seeing these initiatives through, Bass said that bipartisan support is essential, as renewable energy is something that concerns both political parties. As to the position of the Republican Party as a whole on green job initiatives, Bass said, "I can't speak for the party because every member of the party has a different position." While talking with members of the Rotary Club, Bass said that his recent time as a Congressional representative has given him a new appreciation for the importance of political discourse. He said that, although there will always be different viewpoints regarding big issues, "what's important is that the discourse continue."
In addition to talking about renewable energy during the lunch meeting, Bass answered questions related to the current federal budget process. According to Bass, President Obama met last week with Republicans and Democrats in separate meetings, something Bass said would have been more effective with both parties present.
Despite disagreements among members in Washington, D.C., however, Bass said, "I do think an agreement will be reached because we have to reach an agreement."
Following his discussion at the Monadnock Country Club, Bass was slated to visit the Monadnock Conservancy in Keene to discuss conservations issues and later to participate in a roundtable discussion at Southwestern Community Services. On Wednesday, Bass is scheduled to go to Boston, Mass., where he is scheduled to discuss issues concerning oil and propane usage.
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