Forum lacks significant debate

Organizers of this week’s 5th District debate hoped it would be a chance for the Democratic candidates to distinguish their stances on environmental issues. But the five hopefuls stuck closely together throughout most of the debate.

During the 90-minute July 30 forum on energy and the environment at the Holiday Inn in Boxborough, the five Democratic candidates vying for the seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan espoused similar positions on nuclear power, global warming and conservation. They only occasionally took jabs at one another.

The Boxborough Democratic Town Committee organized the debate and Lee Ketelsen — the New England director of Clean Water Action, a national nonprofit environmental organization — moderated the event.

All the candidates agreed on the urgency of dealing with climate change and said they would make it a top priority to push the issue in Washington.

“We need change in Washington and we need it now,” said Niki Tsongas, a dean at Middlesex Community College and widow of Paul Tsongas, who represented the district in the 1970s. “We need to change the direction of our country.”

During a series of six “yes” or “no” questions, the candidates agreed on issues such as supporting legislation to prohibit manufacturers’ use of certain hazardous materials, increasing fuel efficiency standards for sport utility vehicles, opposing increased reliance on nuclear power and setting caps on emissions connected to global warming.

The most contentious moment during the debate came when state Rep. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, criticized state Rep. Barry Finegold’s support for hydrogen power, which has been one of the cornerstones of his platform.

“The problem with hydrogen power is how that power is generated,” said Eldridge. “It takes an amazing amount of energy to generate those fuel cells.”

Finegold, an Andover Democrat, did not have an opportunity to respond to Eldridge’s criticism directly, but in response to another question on alternative fuels, he said hydrogen fuel cell technology has great potential with sufficient federal investment.

“The point is where you’re going to be, where you’re going to go. This is about a commitment,” he said.

Finegold said that hydrogen power is a long way from being a viable alternative to gasoline and while hydrogen-powered cars do exist, they currently cost close to $1 million. With increased research and development, he said, that cost would become more manageable.

Hydrogen fuel cells combine water and oxygen to generate electricity.

Finegold also said expansion of hydrogen fuel cell production could play an important economic role in the Bay State. Several times he mentioned his role in helping to found the Massachusetts Hydrogen Coalition, which convinced Nuvera Fuel Cells, a hydrogen fuel cell company, to move to Billerica instead of Ohio.

The other candidates also touted their experience with environmental issues.

Eileen Donoghue, a Lowell city councilor and former mayor, pointed to the conversion of several of the city’s disused industrial sites into recreation areas.

Donoghue also said she would work to create a renewable energy czar to oversee the government’s efforts to encourage alternative forms of energy.

Tsongas talked about two of her daughters who have worked with environmental organizations.

All the candidates said they recycle in their own homes and try to conserve electricity and gas as much as possible.

The candidates were wary of so-called biofuels, which are made from refined soybeans, corn or switch grass, because they require a large amount of energy to produce and take up growing space for food.

“I say ‘no’ to biofuels,” said state Rep. James Miceli, D-Wilmington.

Miceli said he favors cutting harmful emissions by closing legal loopholes that allow companies to circumvent state and local environmental regulations.

Eldridge said he supports other renewable forms of energy, including solar, wind and hydroelectric power.

Several of the candidates also used the debate as a chance to criticize the Bush administration.

“It’s disgraceful what President Bush has done cutting the subsidy for Amtrak,” said Eldridge in response to a question about public transportation.

Several candidates also said that the money spent on the war in Iraq would be better spent on efforts to curb global warming and expand healthcare.

“When you’re spending billions in Iraq, something’s getting missed,” said Finegold.

The debate occasionally strayed from the environment during a portion where candidates fielded written questions from the audience.

One audience member asked candidates to describe their positions on Chapter 40B, a state housing law that allows developers to ignore many local zoning regulations to create affordable housing, if a community has less than 10 percent of its housing deemed affordable. The law has often been criticized for pitting developers and state officials against municipalities and local boards.

Miceli said he adamantly opposed Chapter 40B and planned to join a new effort to repeal the law.

“I think that’s the single worst law we’ve put on the books,” he said. “The bad far outweighs the good.”

The other candidates said that Chapter 40B should be reworked to prevent developers from making excess profits and to better serve towns, but balked at the idea of repealing it.

“Do you throw the baby out with the bathwater or do you go back and fix it?” said Donoghue.

Besides the five Democratic contenders, the race also includes two Republicans: Jim Ogonowski, a retired Air Force officer and farmer from Dracut; and Tom Tierney, an actuary from Framingham.

There are also three independents running: Patrick Murphy from Lowell, Kevin Thompson from Brockton, and Kurt Hayes from Boxborough.

The deadline to register to vote is Aug. 15. The primary is scheduled for Sept. 4, and the general election for Oct. 16.

Christian Schiavone can be reached at 978-371-5743 or at cschiavo@cnc.com.