Environmentally minded Bruins hope to attract the UCLA community
to an event that has already captured the interests of a U.S.
Senator.
Presidential hopeful Sen. John Edwards, D-NC, is scheduled to
visit UCLA today as a guest of Earth Day celebrations sponsored by
CALPIRG and other student groups.
The event is planned to run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and will
feature demonstrations of clean cars, sustainable energy
technology, various informational booths and rock music. Edwards
plans to meet with students during the last hour of the event.
“He’ll be asking them questions about environmental
policy, and they’ll have an opportunity to ask him
questions,” said Mark Thornton, CALPIRG coordinator and a
second-year history student.
Edwards, who is seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination
to run against President Bush in 2004, may give a brief address on
student activism. However, CALPIRG ““ which identifies itself
as non-partisan ““ is not sponsoring his visit as a campaign
stop.
“Edwards … has a pretty decent environmental record, but
we’re not endorsing him in any way. He’s a guest at the
event,” Thornton said.
In January, Edwards proposed a measure to delay implementation
of new Bush-supported air quality regulations until a scientific
study could be conducted. The measure failed in a 50-46 vote.
The new policies would have made it easier for industries to
expand without installing new air pollution controls.
Supporters argued the new rules would aid the economy, while
Edwards said they were “the biggest rollback of clean air
protections in history.”
Edwards, along with other visitors, will have a chance to see
exhibits featuring “clean” cars used by UCLA and
“rolling sunlight” ““ a solar-paneled truck
powered by biodiesel fuel providing power for the event.
“(The power) is all coming from this solar power truck
showing sustainable energy is a current technology that’s
viable,” Thornton said.
In addition to informational exhibits, entertainment is also
planned. A musical performance featuring Uncle Kracker’s
backing band is scheduled for noon.