By Zack Stovall
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK — Former President Bill Clinton said Tuesday the way to help the national economy is to help rural America, and the best way to do that is through clean energy.
Clinton decried opposition to climate change legislation, such as the America Clean Energy and Security Act pending in Congress, as “just an excuse to protect the status quo.”
He said of critics who contend the so-called “cap-and-trade” bill would be too costly for rural states like Arkansas: “(They’re) nuts. They’re just wrong.”
“No matter what it costs, it’s going to be cheaper than doing nothing,” Clinton said, speaking on the second of a three-day conference on rural philanthropy being held at his presidential library.
The cap-and-trade bill narrowly passed the U.S. House in a 219-212 vote, with Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Little Rock, the only Arkansas delegate to vote for the measure. It faces an uncertain future in the Senate. U.S. Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, both D-Ark., have expressed reservations.
Clinton on Tuesday described philanthropy in rural America as ”woefully inadequate,” but he said greater innovation could inspire greater giving.
“We can beat up on people and say they should give more money in rural America, but we should give them some new ideas,” he said.
For example, innovations in transmitting wind and solar energy from rural areas to urban areas efficiently could potentially create many jobs in rural states, he said.
“If we did it, it would spark the largest job boom we’ve had since World War II,” said Clinton. “And we wouldn’t have to shoot anyone to do it.”
The former president and Arkansas governor said efforts such as the Clinton Foundations’ initiative to curb childhood obesity could benefit rural areas, as could looking at advances that nonprofit organizations have advanced in Third World counties, such as reforestation.
He also advocated White House efforts at rural development to alleviate rural poverty.
“There are similar patterns but different facts all over the world. We shouldn’t be too proud to look at developing countries for rural Arkansas,” said Clinton.
The conference is hosted by the Arlington, Va.-based Council on Foundations. It convened Monday and is set to end Wednesday, when Gov. Mike Beebe is scheduled to speak.
