Energy and Climate Change

Today, it is clearer than ever that our country needs a comprehensive energy policy that aims to lower gas prices and end our dependence on foreign sources of energy. While all Americans agree on the need to achieve these goals, there are many opinions on the exact strategy our nation should take. Some argue that we can drill our way to energy security; others argue that conservation is the best strategy for realizing energy independence. I believe the best approach is to incorporate the best solutions from all sides of this important debate.

Achieving energy independence in the future requires action today. It also will require a willingness to seriously examine all possible sources of energy. Therefore, I support investments in renewable energy, such as the biofuels made right here in Indiana; advancing wind, solar, and hydroelectric alternative energy sources; encouraging greater use of safe nuclear power; and taking advantage of coal, Indiana’s most plentiful source of energy, and clean coal technologies.

In order to further these goals, I have voted for legislation to increase fuel efficiency standards for new vehicles and require 15 percent of electricity to come from renewable energy by 2020. In addition, last Congress, the President signed into law my E-85 PUMP ACT, which prohibits oil companies from restricting a gas station owner from selling E-85 fuel. This legislation will not only help reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but also will create jobs right here in Indiana.

I also support expanding our domestic production and exploration of oil and gas as a way to achieve energy independence. I have voted to increase oil production from shale on federal lands, and I have voted to allow for new responsible oil exploration and production in areas of the outer continental shelf that have been previously off limits.

I believe that climate change is real and should be addressed as part of a comprehensive reform of our national energy policy.  At the same time, I do not believe in a “cap and trade” approach that asks Indiana’s economy to bear high costs to cut our nation’s carbon emissions.  That is why I voted against The American Clean Energy and Security Act  (ACES) in June 2009.  The legislation had too many uncertainties in terms of the effect it would have on Hoosier manufacturers, other businesses and the folks they employ.

In particular, I was very concerned that the bill would put us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other emerging economic powers like China and India.  Those countries have no plans to implement cap-and-trade regimes and would gladly take more of our jobs.   Indiana gets 94 percent of its electricity from coal, and we are the most manufacturing-intensive state in the country. This means we would have the furthest to go in order to meet the bill’s carbon reduction goals, and we would be the most vulnerable to price increases.  As a result, Indiana would be at a competitive disadvantage from the get-go, and in this already tenuous economic climate, it’s a risk we cannot take.

There are no easy answers to our climate change or energy supply challenges.  However, I will continue to work hard to establish strong and responsible energy and climate change policies that bring much-needed price relief to hard-working Hoosiers, while also reducing our reliance on foreign sources of oil.