Energy

Sen. Flake supports an “all-of-the-above” energy policy that, through free-market growth and innovation, allows all energy sources to compete on an even playing field. He also strongly opposes the so-called “cap and trade” program.
 
Sen. Flake believes that regulating our energy industry by attempting to pick winners and losers is not the federal government’s job. Instead, Congress must work to lift the regulatory burdens that have hindered the growth and solvency of the energy industry, and let the free market reduce costs and improve energy efficiency. A pro-growth and market-driven approach to domestic energy development will reduce dependence on foreign sources, lower the cost of fuel here at home and sustain American jobs.

Environment

Sen. Flake supports the sustainable management of our natural resources in a way that respects existing property rights and takes the economic impact of such measures into account. All too often, the federal government’s one-size-fits-all approach to environmental policy fails to account for Arizona’s unique natural characteristics, creating an unnecessary economic burden while providing little-to-no environmental benefit. To that end, Sen. Flake believes that the vast majority of environmental policy that affects Arizona ought to be made in Arizona, not in Washington. 

Sen. Flake is also a supporter of stewardship contracting to protect Arizona’s forests. Long-term stewardship contracting and the resulting partnerships help restore Arizona’s forests, reduce the risk of out-of-control wildfires and protect rural communities. By thinning too-dense forests in wildfire-prone areas and generating income by selling wood products that have been removed, these projects can benefit the health of the forest, the nearby communities and the project partners.