Greenpeace visits Kuhl, and the congressman is home
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

PHOTO BY ROB PRICE Congressman John "Randy" Kuhl poses with members of Greenpeace and the signatures cards in the shapes of wind turbines delivered to his office Thursday. From left: Greenpeace representative Marissa Hursh, holding her son Ethan and standing with her son Noah; Kuhl, and Greenpeace representative Kevin Deery.

BATH — Representatives of Greenpeace came calling Thursday at the Bath office of Congressman John "Randy" Kuhl, R-Hammondsport, and the congressman was on hand for a private meeting with the environmental group.

Greenpeace members delivered approximately 1,000 signed cards to Kuhl's office urging him to support legislative efforts to curb global warning. Many of the cards were arranged in the shape of wind turbines - a symbol of reusable energy supported by Greenpeace as an alternative to fossil fuels.

This was the second appearance of the Greenpeace group in as many weeks. On Aug. 19, the group visited the campaign office of congressional candidate Eric Massa, in Corning, where it delivered as many signatures in identical wind-turbine forms. While not on the premises at the time, Massa on his website has declared himself a supporter of bipartisan legislation to curb carbon emissions linked to global warming.

John Deans, global warming field organizer for Greenpeace, described the signature cards as "a three-dimensional petition" just before heading into Kuhl's office for a meeting. Global warming, Deans said, "is not just affecting the Arctic." People, he added, are taking individual steps to reduce their own carbon footprint, "but we are asking Congress to take action."

Both Kuhl and Deans described the meeting as productive, and Kuhl added he already supports congressional efforts to develop alternative energy sources and increase vehicular fuel efficiency.

Noting the lack of public transportation in his rural district, Kuhl said the cost of gasoline is "killing" area residents who depend on cars and trucks for their livelihoods.

Kuhl has urged numerous responses to high energy prices, including the development of alternative energy sources such as biofuels and off-shore drilling for new oil reserves. The latter is not among Greenpeace's recommendations, as the organization favors a reduction in the use of fossil fuels.

Thursday's meeting in Bath, however, was amicable, and Kuhl in a prepared release said he and Greenpeace members agreed "inaction is the biggest threat."

"We need to take the necessary steps now to reduce our dependence on oil and achieve energy independence," he said.

Sixteen-year-old Michael Deery, a member of the Greenpeace contingent, said after the meeting he hopes the U.S. moves quickly to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. "I've always been interested in environmental issues," Deery told The Courier. He said he hopes Kuhl can encourage Congress to invest in alternative energy sources such as wind and biofuels.