By Maurice Carter, Sustainable Newton President

“It ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new."

Niccolò Machiavelli's words from his 1532 work, The Prince, have never rang more true than now.  Just ask President Joe Biden, whose climate agenda and proposed clean energy policies are the largest "new order of things" we've seen in America in our lifetimes.  For the world, decarbonizing economies to respond to the climate crisis -- as agreed via the Paris Climate Agreement -- is likely the largest single undertaking in human history.

Stop in the Name of Love (of Money)

By opposing President Biden's Clean Electricity Performance Program (CEPP), Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) casts himself as the visible face of the enemies Machiavelli noted.  Manchin is doing very well under the current order of things through the backing of the coal, oil, and gas interests who have done extremely well themselves for decades.

Across Newton County cities, one mayoral and 14 city council terms expire at year end.  But only two seats -- Covington's East Ward Post 1 and West Ward Post 2 -- have contested races in November.  The other openings will be filled in January by candidates who qualified unopposed.

Prior to advanced, in-person voting beginning October 12, Sustainable Newton invited the two Covington East Ward and two West Ward candidates to chat with us about climate change, sustainability, and their positions on issues such as rooftop and utility-scale solar and the adoption of electric vehicles.  We offered to send questions a week in advance and record each interview at the candidate's convenience without a live audience.  You can read our questions here.

East Ward Post 1 incumbent council member Susie Keck and West Ward Post 2 candidate Scotty Scoggins accepted our invitation.  You will find recordings of those conversations below.