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Senate Candidates Trade Barbs Over Climate, Jobs

Posted at 4:32 PM, May 28, 2014
and last updated 2014-05-28 16:32:44-04

Grand HotelMACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. (May 28, 2014) – It wasn’t a debate, but some political punches were thrown today on Mackinac Island when Republican Terri Lynn Land and Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI) took part in a candidate forum at the Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference.

The forum took place on the same day two polls showed Peters leading Land in their race for U.S. Senate.

This morning, inside the hotel pavilion, Land and Peters spoke about climate change, energy security and how those issues impact jobs in Michigan.

Energy policy is an issue that’s put Peters in the Land campaign crosshairs.

Today, Peters took the opportunity to respond.

“I think climate change is an issue we have to deal with,” said Peters. “The science is pretty clear that we have to deal with it.”

Peters wants to start with removing some financial hurdles.

“My personal view is the best way to go forward is to incentive these new technologies, new alternatives, that are coming online to deal with reducing carbon emissions,” Peters said.

For Terri Lynn Land’s campaign, energy policy begins with the Keystone XL pipeline

“If Washington were listening to Michigan voters, we would’ve built the Keystone pipeline,” said Land. “I believe we need policies that ensure Michigan business and Michigan families have available low-cost, reliable energy. That’s why I support the all of the above approach to energy. And, I will always advocate for more safe, reliable forms of energy that lower cost while still protecting our Great Lakes.”