Kleeb: State at energy crossroads

Scott Kleeb makes a point during his Wednesday visit to McCook. (Bruce Crosby/McCook Daily Gazette)

The single greatest issue facing the country is its reliance on imported oil, and Nebraska holds one of the keys for the solution, believes Scott Kleeb, Democratic candidate for the 3rd Congressional District.

As a country built on an infrastructure solely reliant on fossil fuels for energy, the United States is currently producing 3 percent of the world's oil, yet consuming 25 percent, Kleeb said. With global consumption expected to increase another 60 percent by 2020, $3 for gas will seem cheap in the near future, he said.

Nebraska fits into the picture with its burgeoning ethanol and wind industries, he contends. The spinoff technologies that result from expanding those alternative fuel sources is what will benefit the state and ultimately the entire nation.

He compared it to when the Unites States first landed on the moon.

"Nobody cares how exactly we got there," he explained. "But we are still reaping the benefits from the technology gained from that."

Developing Nebraska's ethanol and methane sources is one step in revitalizing the state's economy, he said.

"We are at historic crossroads here," he said. "Is it a critical component? Yes. Is it a be-all and end-all? No."

Access to health care, agricultural concerns and water are additional issues he will address later this month with his "strategic economic package."

But for Kleeb, investing in the state's alternative energy programs is crucial for Nebraska as well as to the country.

Nebraska possesses other advantages as well.

"We have tremendous gifts out here that you don't find anywhere else," he said, citing the state's reputation for strong communities, strong families and strong work ethic. "We need to start supporting those."

Kleeb said it was living in his pickup for nine months doing research for his doctoral thesis on the history of cattle ranching that propelled him into politics.

In his conversations with ranchers, farmers and townspeople, he was struck by their eternal optimism despite declining commodity prices, low wages and stagnant economies.

"Nobody talked about the struggle," he recalled. "They just talked about the next opportunity, such as, 'There's always next year.'"

Frustrated with the political process that didn't seem to helping rural America, he threw his hat into the ring for the 3rd District and will face Republican Adrian Smith from Gering in the November election.

Kleeb brings with him a masters degree in international relations from Yale University as well as the doctorate in the history of American cattle ranching.

Although raised at an Army base in Italy while his parents taught school for families of the American military, summers and vacations were spent with his grandparents who farmed outside of Broken Bow.

Kleeb was in McCook Wednesday as part of his 14-day economic development "listening tour," visiting hospitals, ag producers, ethanol plants and other businesses.

"I just stay quiet and listen," he said. "It's phenomonially critical because nobody does it."