State House 64 candidates Tryon, Kaempfe talk clean energy

When it comes to renewable energy, the difference between state Rep. Mike Tryon and challenger Robert Kaempfe is simple.

Tryon believes the government should create incentives, while Robert Kaempfe thinks clean energy requires a mandate.

Tryon, a Republican, and Kaempfe, a Democrat, are vying for a seat in the 64th District, which includes all or parts of Algonquin, Barrington Hills, Cary, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Huntley and Lake in the Hills.

While both candidates say they want Illinois to become a leader in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal, Tryon notes he already has sponsored legislation during his three terms in the House that will push Illinois in that direction.

He points to a measure signed into law this year that allows counties to make low-interest loans to residents who want to pursue renewable energy projects.

Kaempfe, though, doesn't think existing laws go far enough. Tryon's legislation, for example, only applies to people who live in unincorporated areas. Kaempfe supports legislation that would require all new construction to generate at least 30 percent of its energy needs.

Tryon, who runs two environmental-related firms and serves on the House Energy and Environment Committee, says Kaempfe's proposal would place an unreasonable burden on homebuilders and homebuyers.

"This needs to be driven by market forces," Tryon said. "I don't think alternative energy is a mandate that you can put on individual homes and expect that a majority of people can afford that."

Kaempfe, though, says that if the $20,000 (what he estimates it would cost to make new homes energy efficient) were rolled into a 30-year mortgage, "you wouldn't even notice."

"This stuff is actually going to pay for itself in somewhere between six and eight years," Kaempfe said. "It's going to be better for the environment. It's going to cut down dependency on a certain amount of foreign oil or it's going to cut down on coal being burned."