Friedman: Energy program key for Texas
Independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman is emphatic in his belief as to why the state of Texas has moved slowly in pursuing renewable energy options such as biodiesel, wind and solar. “The governor (Rick Perry) is married to the power lobby,” Friedman said. “It’s very simple. All these legislators will tell you that when they’re doing anything involving power or energy that the lobbyists are in the gallery. “The lobbyists are writing the legislation and giving the legislators their marching orders. In fact, the legislators call the gallery the owners’ box,” Friedman said. “They’re all bought and paid for, and that’s the problem. That’s why we’re not getting anything going with an energy program.”

Push to harness wind power spurs Delaware meeting
The Hobart Town Hall normally seats about 50 for town meetings, but officials expect an overflow crowd Sept. 20 when the topic is wind turbines and whether they should be incorporated into the regional energy picture and the local landscape. "It's going to be quite heated," said Pat Ryan, Hobart town supervisor and chair of the Hobart Town Board. It's likely that the Hobart Town Hall won't accommodate the expected crowd. Ryan said the board is considering moving the meeting to the fire hall, which has twice that number of seats. The issue is bigger than just the village, which is part of the Town of Stamford. Several other communities in Delaware County and the western Catskills are debating the complex issue.