No dispute over green technology

Last in a series on the issues facing 13th Congressional District Republican candidates Judy Biggert and Sean O'Kane in the Feb. 5 primary.

While the Republican candidates for president have faced criticism for not spending enough time on environmental issues, that's not the case in the 13th Congressional District primary.

Both incumbent U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert and challenger Sean O'Kane are offering different visions of how to reduce energy consumption and pollution.

Whoever wins the Republican primary Feb. 5 will take on the Green Party's Steve Alesch and Democrat Scott Harper in the November election.

O'Kane is a home builder and Biggert an attorney. Both live in Hinsdale.

Biggert points to legislation she's introduced seeking incentives for energy-efficient buildings and educating the private sector about green technology.

In December, Biggert and a majority in Congress voted for increasing average fuel-economy standards in vehicles to reach 35 mpg by 2020.

Although some say the bill didn't go far enough, Biggert disagreed.

"The auto industry is willing to move forward but it needed a push from the government," she said. Critics don't realize that the standards apply to trucks and SUVs as well, which will be a challenge, Biggert added.

O'Kane agreed with the revised fuel economy standards and would be willing to look at raising the bar.

He wants the government to put the same commitment it gave to developing atomic energy into alternative fuel research. Incentives such as tax breaks and research funding are a smart investment, he noted.

"We need to be leaders in this," O'Kane said.

Biggert is a proponent of alternatives to gasoline such as ethanol, biodiesel and fuels made with switch grass.

O'Kane, however, has reservations about ethanol, asking whether it is "really a lifesaver or is it more hype than reality?"

While O'Kane considers nuclear power an energy option that must be studied, Biggert goes further, saying it holds great potential for producing electricity without burning fossil fuels.

The United States did not participate in the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, an international pact reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Biggert said the Kyoto agreement was unfair to the United States because it offered easier standards for India and China as they were considered developing countries.

"It's a global problem and requires a global solution," Biggert said.

She favors looking into cutting greenhouse gas emissions but not if it will risk the economy.

O'Kane called Kyoto flawed but believes that shouldn't prevent the United States from leading the effort to craft a better agreement.

"We must also make sure huge and growing economies like China and India are part of the treaty," O'Kane said.

"Allowing them to be outside and unaffected by pollution control agreements is folly."

The 13th District includes parts of south Cook, southwest DuPage and north Will counties.