David Paterson: First Openly Peak Oil Aware Governor

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://local.theoildrum.com/node/3735

David Paterson: First Openly Peak Oil Aware Governor

Posted by Glenn on March 13, 2008 - 10:44am

Eliot Spitzer's historic fall from grace was a blow to many progressives who believed that he would reform New York's dysfunctional state government, but his replacement may be equally transformative, but from a Peak Oil perspective.

David Paterson will be the nation's first legally blind Governor and only the fourth African American governor (New York's first)since Reconstruction ended. As I wrote back in 2006, Lieutenant Governor David Paterson is not only peak oil aware, but willing to make public speeches about it and fairly eloquent on explaining peak oil to ordinary folks.

He also has a 20+ year history with the state legislature, holding the minority leader post for the Democrats in the State Senate. News coverage has brought to light the high level of respect he gets from both Republicans and Democrats, many noting his soft touch and collegiality as very different from Spitzer's "I'm an effing Steamroller" approach to getting his way.

It's not clear yet what his adminstration's priorities will, but he has a good record on environmental and alternative energy issues. But if tackling oil dependence is high on his agenda, it is possible that he will be able to find the right bargain to strike with legislature and assemble a working majority on key issues.

[f the letter]

1. i didn't know that

That is awesome. At least someone who acknowledges it.

[Delphinus]

2. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett

from Maryland has talked until he's blue in the face (to an empty chamber), as has his no longer seated ex-congressman, Wayne(?) Gilchrest. He's a Republican, if you can believe it, but he certainly is Peak Oil aware.