Comments on: Exclusive: Former DEP Hanger Looking to Challenge Corbett

By: John

John — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 16:06:43 +0000

First, mercury from burning coal (PA, OH, IN, IL) is found in birds and insects in the Adirondacks. So, “losing coal jobs” is a good thing, AND we need a progressive program that directly transfers those coal jobs to sustainable energy jobs. This would give meaning to “united we stand.” I.e. create a structured closing down of coal plants in tandem with a structured building up of sustainable energy plants, and literally train and transfer coal worker to the new plants. Don’t defend coal in the name of jobs; defends jobs in the name of healthy living.

Second, no politician will be perfect, and we are an empire, so any shift to a positive, humanitarian, ecological future is a good one. The shift will take time, and no one election will create it. Moreover, it’s not the elections that create the real change. It’s you and me that do, day to day. So let’s get busy.

By: Dory

Dory — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 16:08:08 +0000

Hanger is just as bad as Corbett when it comes to protecting the environment from the hazards of gas drilling. He won’t be getting my vote.

By: Maisie Seiverling

Maisie Seiverling — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 12:14:18 +0000

I am a Republican who would gladly support Hangar, one of the best informed people I know.

By: Becky Campbell

Becky Campbell — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:23:50 +0000

I worked alongside John during his tenure at DEP, and could not think of a stronger candidate for Governor. John held our staff to the highest standards and ensured that we were accountable for proper use of all state funds being used by the agency. He was a strong, dedicated leader. I couldn’t have more respect for him.

By: Kelly McEntee

Kelly McEntee — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 02:50:00 +0000

While I understand those who want to stop fracking completely, I do not believe this is going to be possible. What we can force however is responsible, accountable, and controlled use of a natural resource that adds to the mix of energy independence for the US (if, as stated, controlled, not exploited for foreign use). John is a person with a broad enough view to to maneuver this and help Pennsylvania come out ahead, rather than taken advantage of as we have been the past two years and likely will also be the next two years. Let’s just hope there is something left by the time we get to the 2014 election!

By: Jan Jarrett

Jan Jarrett — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 22:01:59 +0000

John is well known across the state having held statewide office for more than 7 years. John is an acknowledged expert on energy issues and the economics of energy. He has a record of major accomplishments that nobody else has–slashing electricity rates by more than 40 per cent; creating PA wind and solar industries; enacting major legislation like Growing Greener, AEPS, Act 129 and more.
He has a comprehensive vision for how to move PA forward through investments in education, infrastructure, etc…He is pro-choice, pro-gay marriage. He is a former legal services attorney and will have strong support from the social justice community Anybody who knows John knows you can’t rule him out. He’s a fighter and can articulate a compelling message. He is, in my view, a great candidate for governor

By: Liz Rosenbaum

Liz Rosenbaum — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 20:11:50 +0000

Been reading Hanger’s blog for years, and Kelly’s right, he’s extremely well informed about energy. He’s been a longtime supporter of sustainable energy, too. Unfortunately, he also favors unconventional energy, namely fracking, and so he probably wouldn’t get my vote. One also has to question whether he’s got the political chops to dispense with the current travesty-in-chief. Rob McCord might be the stronger candidate.

By: Lois Herr

Lois Herr — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 16:44:58 +0000

I don’t know enough about Hanger to comment on his energy policies but I do know he is approachable and interested in learning about issues. He has also been supportive of our efforts to get more PA Democratic WOMEN elected to office.

By: Freddie B.

Freddie B. — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:51:47 +0000

Characterizing John Hanger as “left wing lunatic” or somehow responsible for the decline in the coal industry is code for total ignorance or stupidity. Name calling from behind the keyboard of your computer is truly pathetic. If you want to be part of the debate bring something intelligent to the table. John offers one of the most balanced and intelligent perspective on energy that you will find.

The coal industry is in decline because the grid is beginning to transition to cleaner burning and cheaper natural gas. Capitalism at its core, an abundant, cleaner, safer and cheaper energy choice that is the right choice for the USA.

Is there some risk, of course, as there is with every energy choice, however, the risk associated with shale gas development is small compared to the ongoing destruction created by the coal industry ie., full scale subsidence that has caused entire streams to disappear, killing off the entire aquatic life, mountain top removal that has buried hundreds of miles of streams, mercury, NOX, and particulate emissions that have contributed to increased cancer rates in the USA to name a few.

By: Stephen Cleghorn

Stephen Cleghorn — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:18:42 +0000

Mr. Hanger is serious about providing more support for renewable energy, and there are jobs galore that could be had by taking that route. That’s good. Unfortunately, he is also serious about allowing fracking for methane gas to continue. He would no doubt be tougher than Corbett on regulating the industry, which is better than nothing, but the sort of long-term problems and risks attendant with poking 100,000+ holes into the Marcellus shale regions of PA makes anyone who supports that seriously questionable as a friend of the environment or the future of Pennsylvania as a healthy place to live. For me Mr. Hanger is a tragic figure who cannot break with his past of allowing the drilling to get started. He’s a good man, but also a dangerous one. When he calls for a moratorium on gas drilling and some serious study of its long term cumulative impacts on the environment and human and animal health, then I will get excited about his running for Governor. Here is the case for a moratorium as I have put it together: http://go.to/marcellusstop