Energy is major concern in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE -- In this tiny coastal state, where government officials see wind and water as vital new pistons in their economic engine, energy tops many minds.

"People care quite deeply," says Karina Lutz, deputy director of People's Power & Light, a non-profit group focused on sustaining the environment and making energy affordable. "They want renewable energy. They want to save money on energy. And they don't want to see oil tar on their beaches."

Rhode Islanders are looking for the next president to reduce American dependence on foreign oil, to make the cars they drive more fuel-efficient and to harness the sun and other elements for heat and light. "The most important thing is looking at what we can do to sustain ourselves," says Kim Greenberg, 52, a dancer who lives in nearby Warwick.

Opinion polls in the past month show Democrat Barack Obama with a decisive lead here over Republican John McCain. A survey Sept. 30-Oct. 1 by Opinion Factor Worldwide found Obama leading McCain 48% to 26%.

McCain and Obama both support development of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal. Obama has said he would spend $150 billion over a decade to develop those sources, creating 5 million jobs. McCain has proposed a tax credit for businesses that research alternate energy sources, equal to 10% of their workers' salaries.

Asked in last week's debate how they would rank energy, Social Security and health care, Obama put energy first. McCain said all three issues can be dealt with simultaneously and stressed the need for more offshore oil drilling and nuclear power.

Some Rhode Island officials say it is critical that the next administration accelerate the nation's movement toward new kinds of power. "Both candidates talk a lot about energy policy," says Saul Kaplan, executive director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp. "We're hopeful that regardless of who wins … we'll see serious progress over the next four years."

Two years ago, Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri, a Republican, said he wanted to see 20% of the state's electric power generated from renewable sources. Last month, state officials selected a developer to build an offshore wind turbine project that would generate 15% of the state's electricity and help position Rhode Island as a base for the alternative energy industry. The approximately $1.5 billion project must get approval from the state and federal governments.