Broome Energy Program Coordinator Questions Obama

A Vestal man was surprised when he had the opportunity to ask President Obama about the nation's future energy policy.

Adam Flint, coordinator of the Broome Energy Leadership Program, was selected by the president to pose a question during Friday's town hall-style session at Binghamton University.

Flint's program is overseen by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County. He said he had not be chosen ahead of time to ask his question.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Flint said he was "quite surprised" Obama called on him.

Flint wanted to know what the president might be able to do in Washington to help secure funding for programs like the local "energy conservation corps" that provide outreach efforts to promote energy retrofitting projects.

Flint said the program is designed to help the transition out of the fossil fuel era.

Although Flint's received a range of reactions from people regarding the president's response, he has no doubt Obama wasn't expecting the question.

The president noted the United States is producing tradition energy - fossil fuels - at record levels.

Obama cited his administration's efforts to increase funding for so-called "green energy." He also said more can be done to improve energy efficiency without lowering the standard of living for Americans.

Flint said he contemplated asking a question related to fracking. But he said he concluded the president would have had a "very well-rehearsed answer to that question." Flint said because Obama has expressed support for natural gas development in the past, nothing new would come from bringing up the issue.