Originally published May 13, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 13, 2008 at 9:45 PM
McCain leads environmental talk, takes rainy walk near North Bend
Republican Presidential candidate John McCain led an environmental discussion with Seattle-area business and political leaders today before going on a short — and rainy — nature walk.
Seattle Times staff reporters
Republican presidential candidate John McCain led an environmental discussion with local business and political leaders today before going on a short — and rainy — nature walk.
Nine panelists offered their perspectives on subsidies, nuclear power, environmentally friendly business practices and global warming during an hourlong discussion at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center outside of North Bend.
Seattle gets 70 percent of its drinking water from the Cedar River watershed.
McCain told the room of about 100 people, including press, that promoting "green" business practices would be good for the economy because it will encourage ingenuity and new products.
"I just firmly and steadfastly reject the notion that this is going to be something that's harmful to our economy," he said.
He said a wind-turbine company he visited in Portland on Monday is employing thousands of people and is "contributing to probably as clean a technology as you'll ever find."
He seemed particularly interested in hearing from Sally Jewell, chief executive officer of REI. He asked her questions about how offering recycled products has affected the outdoor gear cooperative's business. At one point, he asked her bluntly: "What do you want me to do?"
She told him he should offer incentives for businesses to be more environmentally responsible. That's essentially what McCain announced support for this week in Oregon in his "cap-and-trade" proposal to reduce carbon emissions that are linked to global warming.
During the panel, he said government can also play a bigger role in researching new products — like a better battery for electric cars — and said he would support a national education program to encourage people to recycle.
"I'm a little wary of — I have to give you straight talk — about government subsidies," he said. "We just saw the impact, I think, of the subsidies for ethanol. I opposed the subsidies for ethanol because I thought it would distort the market. ... When government jumps in and distorts the market, then there are unintended consequences as well as intended consequences."
Bruce Williams, chairman and CEO of HomeStreet Bank, questioned McCain's call for more nuclear energy as a way to wean the nation from carbon producing fossil fuels. Williams noted that Washington state is still dealing with nuclear-waste issues at Hanford.
"We'd like to see that taken care of before we make more of it," said Williams, who also is vice chairman of Cascade Land Conservancy.
![]()
McCain said he understands the controversy over nuclear waste at Hanford and knows there is much more to be done there.
"All I'm saying is, if other countries are able to make use of nuclear power and address the issue of spent nuclear fuel, then I don't know why the United States of America can't," he said.
He added that if new nuclear-power plants are built then new coal-fired plants won't be needed. "I'm all for clean coal," he said, but added that the technology is still too expensive to be viable.
Emily Heffter: 206-464-8246 or eheffter@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
The Fund For The Needy: Seattle Times Fund For The Needy offers opportunity to give
Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
Danny Westneat: Bonus for supe with a B minus?
Fund For The Needy donations make a difference
Nicole Brodeur: You have more to spare than you think you do

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
- Man shot in chest on E. Union Street in Capitol Hill
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Mariners Blog | A Mariners-Tigers swap makes a whole lot of sense for both teams
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- Italian prosecutors request life sentence for UW student
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Genetics anti-bias law takes effect
- Mariners to try Dustin Ackley at second base
- Mariners Blog | Dustin Ackley to move to second base; Mariners add six to 40-man roster
- Senate vote clears hurdle
197 - First key vote today on Senate health bill
167 - Mariners add six to 40-man roster
142 - Man shot in Capitol Hill
91 - Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
88 - Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
77 - Saturday links
54 - Bye week answers, volume four
49 - Prosecutor requests life in prison for Amanda Knox
49 - Historic health care bill nears key Senate vote
37
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Nonprofits get creative using Twitter and Facebook to make donation easier
- Great places to cross-country ski for free (or almost) in the Methow
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Recipes: Sesame Pork Roast, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce and more
- UW provost tapped for Nike's board
- 175 foster kids in Washington get 'forever families'
- BofA moves to take control of Mastro building in Fremont
- Food-bank donations pour in after theft in Rainier Valley









