HARRISONBURG — Jon Bowerbank thinks there is one way to help Virginia climb out of the economic doldrums.
Bowerbank, one of three Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor, said that tapping into the alternative energy market by developing wind, solar, biomass and biofuel sources can help the commonwealth provide jobs and rebound.
On Monday, Bowerbank kicked off a three-day tour of Virginia looking at alternative energy research and projects.
He also announced his job plan, which would capitalize on alternative energy sources.
“I’m very convinced we can work out of it and come back stronger than ever,” said Bowerbank during a tour of James Madison University’s college of integrated science and technology.
The candidate spent the early afternoon touring a variety of research labs at JMU, including an energy and manufacturing lab, a biotech lab, a wind lab and seeing projects such as an electric ATV.
Bowerbank, the owner of a Southwest Virginia energy and infrastructure company and a member of the Russell County Board of Supervisors, said he thinks there are entrepreneurs and college graduates like those at JMU who can fuel the alternative energy push.
He said the jobs created could include research and development, construction, maintenance, scientific and engineering.
The investment can come from both government and the private sector.
“Government primes the pump,” said Bowerbank, who recalls a time when methane gas production in Southwest Virginia was limited.
Today, he said, methane gas “is an economic driver that rivals coal production.”
Bowerbank, who plans to be a full-time lieutenant governor if elected, said he would anticipate little resistance from Virginia’s next governor about his job-creating platform.
“No matter who the governor is, he will be rational and reasonable,” he said.
Bowerbank is opposed by former Virginia Secretary of Finance Jody Wagner and former Mark Warner aide Mike Signer in his bid to get the Democratic nomination in the June primary.
The winner will face off against Republican incumbent Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling in November.
Since he began his quest to become lieutenant governor, Bowerbank said he has traveled 100,000 miles across the commonwealth.
But he said there is one constant he finds in his travels.
Bowerbank said people want jobs, and the economic problems “are wide and deep.”
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