Operation Free
Secure America with Clean Energy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2011

CONTACT
Benjamin Lowe, (202) 656-9723, ben@trumanproject.org

Vets, NH electeds: RGGI strengthens American security
New veterans radio ad commends successful regional clean energy program

CONCORD, NH – Today, at the State Capitol, military veterans joined New Hampshire state elected representatives at a press event supporting the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a successful clean energy program. Rear Admiral Larry Baucom (US Navy, ret.), State Senator Gary Lambert (R-Nashua), State Representative Steve Shurtleff (D-Concord), and New Hampshire resident Mike Rodriguez (USMC, ret.), all veterans, commended the  continued participation by New Hampshire in the program. RGGI protects American security by reducing American dependence on oil and attacking the causes of climate change. (Speaker bios below.)

Rodriguez also announced a mail and radio campaign run by veterans group Operation Free urging New Hampshire to continue to be a clean energy leader by staying in RGGI. (Click here to view the mail piece. Click here to listen to the radio ad.)

“Energy use is a significant concern to the military,” said Admiral Baucom. “When I commanded the [aircraft carrier USS] Carl Vinson, conserving jet fuel and minimizing waste was critical. The more efficient we could be, the more combat-ready we were when we called upon to respond to a crisis. It’s that simple.”

“Those lessons transfer to the civilian world as well,” Admiral Baucom continued. “The less oil we use, the less money we send overseas to hostile regimes, and the more money stays in our economy. And by cutting carbon emissions, we reduce contribution to one of the possible causes of climate change, the effects of which may foster regional instability and potential conflict. Policies that reduce carbon emissions, invest in clean energy and help reduce our use of foreign oil are essential for national security.”

RGGI and other similar cap and trade programs have long enjoyed bipartisan support in New England and elsewhere. Republican Governors Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Jodi Rell of Connecticut, as well as Democrats Andrew Cuomo of New York and Governor Lynch of New Hampshire, to name but a few, all supported their respective states’ participation in RGGI.

Operation Free is an advocacy campaign of the Truman National Security Project which highlights the connection between America’s energy policies and national security.  More at www.OperationFree.net.

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Speaker biographies

Sen. Gary Lambert

Senator Gary Lambert is currently serving his first term as a representative of Nashua, the state’s second largest city. Lambert serves as a member of the Health and Human Services, Energy & Natural Resources and Internal Affairs Committees.  Senator Lambert is a strong leader on energy security and clean energy development.

Sen. Lambert served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for over 30 years. Promoted to Colonel in 2003, Sen. Lambert was mobilized during Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. From June 2004 to January 2005, he served as Deputy Legal Counsel and Acting Chief Legal Counsel to the Commanding General of the Multi-National Force – Iraq in Baghdad, Iraq, during which he was awarded the Bronze Star.

Representative Steve Shurtleff

Representative Shurtleff was born in Concord, NH in 1947. He enlisted in the US Army in 1966 for three years, honorably discharged in 1969 at the rank of Sergeant. After leaving the military, Shurtlefff joined the US Marshal’s Service, serving for 31 years and retiring in 2000 as a Supervisory Deputy US Marshal.

In 2004 Steve was elected to the NH House of Representatives where he currently serve as the Assistant Democratic Leader. In 2007 he was elected to the Concord City Council as a councilor at large. Steve also serves on the board of directors of four non-profit organizations including the NH Assoc. for the Blind.

Rear Admiral Larry Baucom

Larry Baucom graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1970. He holds Masters Degrees from the University of Southern California in Systems Management and from the Naval War College in National Security and Strategic Studies. His 31 year career in Naval Aviation included achieving over 4000 hours and 900 carrier landings in Navy fighter aircraft including the F-4 Phantom II and the F-14 Tomcat, and commanded the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.

He currently serves as a senior advisor and consultant supporting the Navy’s aircraft carrier readiness program and the Naval Aviation Enterprise. He was elected President of the World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads in June 2010.

Mike Rodriguez

In 2003 Michael Rodriguez entered the United States Marine Corps, serving as a Rifleman with the 1st Battalion 8th Marine Regiment Bravo Company. In 2004, his unit was deployed to Iraq, where they spearheaded the November surge of Fallujah Iraq, as part of Operation Phantom Fury. During that surge, Michael Rodriguez received a Purple Heart and Navy Achievement Medal.

In 2005 he retired from the United States Marine Corps and attended Colby-Sawyer College, where he received the 2009 Senior Thesis-Capstone award for his research in hydro-security and water policy. For the past two years he has been working with Operation Free and the Truman National Security Project, advocating for reducing oil imports, and renewable energy solutions. He is currently a Summer Veteran Organizer with the Truman Project and will be attending Dartmouth College this fall, where he will begin courses in Globalization Studies.

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