Packed House for Congressional Forum in Bedford

Residents in the Hudson Valley’s Congressional District 18 know there are a lot of environmental issues facing their communities. That’s why it’s important to know where the congressional candidates hoping to represent District 18 stand on environmental issues like clean energy and natural resource protection.

Candidates Nan Hayworth and U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney gave their opinions on these important issues and more on Tuesday, October 14th at Bedford Historical Society’s Historical Hall (608 Old Post Road, Bedford).

 

The event featured lively discussion from the packed house. You can watch the whole debate in the video above.

The two spoke at a candidate forum sponsored by NYLCVEF — marking the second occasion on which the two have come together for such an event to discussion environmental issues. The last time these candidates met for a similar NYLCVEF environmental forum was in October 2012.

The two candidates laid out their sustainability records and took questions from the audience and a panel of environmental experts, including representatives from Scenic Hudson, Riverkeeper, the Daily Voice and the Pace Energy and Climate Center.

Issues called into question included the expansion of the Algonquin Pipeline, the closing of Indian Point and government response to the impact of hurricanes Sandy and Irene. The two candidates’ stances differed on many of these issues. Maloney opposes the expansion of the pipeline, while Hayworth supports the expansion. Maloney favors the shutting down of Indian Point, and Hayworth believes that keeping the power plant open is the better alternative to the larger carbon footprint of a natural gas plant.

You can read more and listen to excerpts from the forum in the Journal News, the Daily Voice and WAMC.

As a nonprofit, nonpartisan and educational organization, the NYLCV Education Fund does not make endorsements in political races. Our goal with this forum was to educate Hudson Valley residents about environmental issues and elevate the public dialogue around sustainability.

Thanks to all of our partner organizations, as well as our media partners at WAMC Radio and the Daily Voice for making the forum a success.

   

Congressional Candidate Forum in Hudson Valley with Gibson and Eldgridge

Hundreds of Hudson Valley residents came out to SUNY New Paltz on October 1st to hear from the Congressional candidates in District 19. Both candidates – incumbent Chris Gibson and Sean Eldridge – spoke about the important environmental issues facing the region.

This important forum, co-hosted by NYLCVEF and SUNY New Paltz Center for Research, Regional Engagement and Outreach, attracted voters from all over the area. Each candidate appeared separately, highlighting the environmental topics they found most important.

U.S. Rep. Gibson and Sean Eldridge discussed a range of environmental concerns including climate change, clean water and energy.

Congressman Gibson focused on farming in the region as well as local land conservation.

Sean Eldridge also highlighted farming in the region and spoke about getting younger people interested and attracted to farming through incentives by the federal government.

Other topics covered during the forum included major concerns like included transit-oriented development, renewable energy, hydrofracking and much more.

The candidates took questions from a panel of environmental experts, including representatives from Scenic Hudson, Riverkeeper, and local reporter Allison Dunne from WAMC. The host of the forum was SUNY New Paltz’s Dr. Gerald Benjamin.

As a nonprofit, nonpartisan and educational organization, the NYLCV Education Fund does not make endorsements in political races. Our goal with this forum is to educate residents about environmental issues and elevate the public dialogue around sustainability.

Special thanks to our media sponsor WAMC/ Northeast Public Radio as well as our partner organizations.

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