4th District Debate Turns To Energy, Environment

NORWALK--It's been a campaign season fiercely focused on the economy, and this latest debate was no exception. But for a good part of Thursday's event, two other crucial issues got some attention: energy and the environment.

"Ninety seconds on energy policy," said Rep. Jim Himes (D-4th District), "Okay. Here's an area where we really need substantial change."

Himes and his opponent, Republican state Sen. Dan Debicella, agreed that reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil by developing alternative energy sources was the only way forward.

"We continue to send billions of dollars to Saudi Arabia and Venezuela," said Himes. "I was in Afghanistan nine months ago and I've seen what that money gets used for against our young men and women."

Debicella, like Himes, said he would push for other solutions. "We should incent all types of alternative energy," he said, "whether it's gas, nuclear, solar, wind, tidal power."

"If we do all of that, we can reduce our dependency on foreign oil."

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