With job creation and energy efficiency in mind, Congressman Tom Reed took a tour of the Philips Lighting Plant in Bath Wednesday. While he was there, he also held a town hall meeting with employees. Our Lara Greenberg tells us what Reed had to say.

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BATH, N.Y. -- A visit from Congressman Tom Reed had employees at the Philips Lighting plant fired up about jobs Wednesday.

"That's my peace, gentlemen."

But Reed took it in stride, explaining his four-point plan to create jobs in the Southern Tier. That plan includes attacking debt, dealing with the tax policy, taking care of regulations, and creating a comprehensive energy policy.

"Having a comprehensive energy policy, an all of the above approach that drives utility costs down and stabilizes them so that people can build things in America again," said Rep. Tom Reed, 29th Congressional District.

Part of that energy plan includes producing energy at home, by way of hydrofracking. Something that some Philips employees agreed with.

"They don't understand the money that will come in the area."

Reed says Congress has 32 bills pending that are focused on regulatory and energy points.
He says constituents just need to be patient.

"People think there's some magic bullet in Washington that could be passed as a one shot piece of legislation and the issues are more complicated than that," said Reed.

"My main concern is that I just wish Washington would work together more. I'm glad the people brought some things to his attention," said Philips employee Doretha Mahoney.

And Reed says they've given him a lot to think about.

The plant employs 320 people and is the largest Philips light bulb plant in the U.S.

Reed will host three town hall meetings this Saturday in South Corning, Almond, and Franklinville.