Government should keep county green

During last year's legislative elections, we proved we could successfully be the "Clean 14th" District. All candidates participated in the $100,000, 100 percent publicly financed, and $10-or-less contributions financed campaign budget limit for clean elections. Now, that's American! That's patriotism!

Now, in this local election cycle, can we rally around a solution to become the "Green 14th" District by doing the same to fix our environment and energy problems? Let's do our part to create the market for 100 percent sustainable energy by committing to the investment in 100 percent sustainable energy; 100 percent independent of the unreliable, very costly and very vulnerable nationwide power grid; and 100 percent environmentally clean union shops. Now, that's American! That's patriotism!

Specifically, I propose we focus 100 percent of our election dialogue with candidates on gaining 100 percent commitment from 100 percent of our towns' elected officials to convert 100 percent of public vehicles to 100 percent sustainable fuels, convert 100 percent of public buildings to 100 percent sustainable fuels, and support the conversion of our homes to 100 percent sustainable fuels that are 100 percent independent of the grid and 100 percent locally manufactured in 100 percent environmentally clean union shops. Now, that's American! That's patriotism!

If our municipalities established local energy commissions to provide public buildings and vehicles with clean, sustainable, grid-independent energy, then they could take the next step of offering that local clean, independent energy to residents' homes and vehicles. Can you picture stopping by a South Brunswick public building to "plug in" for a while to recharge your car? Even if we paid for it, I'd rather pay it to the township budget than the oil companies and oil countries' budgets.

If the idea caught on statewide, and nationwide, then we would have electric and other clean sustainable-fueled autos and homes by the next governor or presidential election. The federal government should give a 100 percent tax rebate to cover the cost of replacing our personal autos and home power to American clean green. That would guarantee very quick availability of the products and very quick recovery from recession and a very quick rebuilding of our manufacturing and technology base. Now, that's American! That's patriotism!
Steven J. Reichenstein
Princeton