Rick Perry on Energy & Oil Republican Governor (TX)

Defend Keystone XL and other oil & gas exploration

During Perry's last five years as governor, Texas led the nation in job growth. He attributed that success to his focus on keeping taxes low and slashing spending, which included curbing regulations and expediting coal-fired power plant projects.

Sued EPA for regulating carbon emissions

Climate change and energy:
• Temperatures change naturally.
• Science has not proven that current changes are permanent or man-made.

No federal energy subsidy; let states decide on nuke waste

PERRY: Congressman Paul [and Governor Romney] are correct when it comes to allowing the states to compete with each other [rather than depositing nuclear waste in Nevada]. And I'll just add that when you think about France, who gets over 70% of their energy from nuclear power, they deal with this issue [via] glassification. Innovation is the answer to this. We need to have a discussion in this country about our 10th Amendment and the appropriateness of it, as it's been eroded by Washington, D.C., for all these many years, whether it's health care, whether it's education, or whether it's dealing with energy. We don't need to be subsidizing energy in any form or fashion: allow the states to make the decision. And some state out there will see the economic issue, and they will have it in their state.

Put 1.2 million Americans to work in domestic energy

A: I laid out today a pretty bold plan to put 1.2 million Americans working in the energy industry. And you don't need Congress to do that; you need a president with a plan, which I'm laying out over the next three days, and clearly the intent to open up this treasure trove that America's sitting on and getting America independent on the domestic energy side. It's time for another American Declaration of Independence. It's time fo energy independence.

Q: What's the plan? What will you say specifically?

A: Clearly, opening up a lot of the areas of our domestic energy area; that's the real key. You've got an administration that, by and large, has either by intimidation or over-regulation, put our energy industry and the rest of the economy in jeopardy. And we've got to have a president who is willing to stand up and to clearly pull back those regulations that are strangling the American entrepreneurship that's out there.

Don't put economy in jeopardy based on unsettled science

PERRY: The science is not settled on this. The idea that we would put Americans' economy in jeopardy based on scientific theory that's not settled yet, to me, is just nonsense. I mean, Galileo got outvoted for a spell. But asking us to cut back in areas that would have monstrous economic impact on this country is not good economics and I will suggest to you is not necessarily good science. Find out what the science truly is before you start putting the American economy in jeopardy.

Q: Are there specific theories that you've found especially compelling?

PERRY: Let me tell you what I find compelling, is what we've done in the state of Texas. Not by some scientist somewhere saying, "Here is what we think is happening out there." The science is not settled on whether or not the climate change is being impacted by man to the point where we're going to put America's economics in jeopardy.

FactCheck: Yes, climate change is settled science

THE FACTS: The scientific consensus on climate change is about as settled as any major scientific issue can be. Perry's opinion runs counter to the view of an overwhelming majority of scientists that pollution released from the burning of fossil fuels is heating up the planet. The National Academy of Sciences, in an investigation requested by Congress, concluded last year: "Climate change is occurring, is very likely caused primarily by human activities, and poses significant risks to humans and the environment."

$5,000 incentive for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Rather than wait for more mandates and punishments for environmental non-attainment, let's continue encouraging innovation. I support giving Texans in the non-attainment areas of our state a $5,000 incentive towards a purchase of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, using the funds Texans have already paid to reduce emissions, while providing a unique way to store wind energy. This will keep Texas competitive in an emerging technology and take advantage of an energy portfolio that grows deeper and more diverse every day.

Manmade global warming: "It's-All-Our-Fault" theory

When it comes to manmade global warming, many scientists who once advocated it is caused by human activity have abandoned that theory after closer study. Where are the stories on this growing SCIENTIFIC movement? Alas, many in the news media have already invested too much in a particular storyline, just as some scientists continue promoting It's-All-Our-Fault theory because their research grants are dependent on it. In 25 years, when this theory has been discarded alongside other ideas that didn't stand the test of time, perhaps there will be a one-day story announcing its demise. Then the left will be on to its next theory created to advance a particular political agenda.

More funding to develop domestic energy supplies.

• Whereas, our nation is lacking in the infrastructure necessary to drive our growing technology-based economy with reliable, high-quality, affordable energy supplies; deficient in efficiency improvements that enable the balance of supply and demand; and subject to the market volatility of some fuels;
• Whereas, in order to maintain the world’s strongest economy coupled with a clean environment, we need to support and develop policies and technologies that enable a diversity of domestic energy resources to be utilized throughout the region;
• Whereas, the United States’ electricity transmission grid is the most reliable in the world, but the increasing demand for electricity, the expanding competitive electricity market and related regulatory and jurisdictional issues create a challenge to maintaining national reliability of the transmission grid that was designed and constructed to serve local needs rather than to serve a rapidly growing national wholesale market;
• Resolved, that the Southern Governors’ Association urges Congress and the President to provide in any national energy policy:
  • adequate funding and incentives for further development of clean and efficient technologies and systems to provide an effective approach to increasing domestic energy supplies, improving the efficiency of energy use and enhancing the environment;
  • full funding for the State Energy Program (SEP) to expand development and deployment of technologies appropriate for each state and each region and to develop and maintain energy emergency response mechanisms, exercises and programs in the states and the region;
  • consolidated and efficient method for siting of electric transmission lines across multiple jurisdictions while maintaining the states’ primary authority and developed in close consultation with the nation’s governors.

Use federal funds for nuclear cleanup, with state input.

• Whereas, in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of our citizens by maintaining safe and clear strategies for the transportation, disposition and environmental clean-up of the nation’s nuclear materials, including nuclear weapons materials, at DOE nuclear energy and weapons complexes; now, therefore, be it
• Resolved, that the Southern Governors’ Association urges Congress and the President in any national energy policy:
  • provide full funding for all of DOE’s past and present commitments related to clean-up operations at DOE nuclear energy and weapons complexes and disposition plans for nuclear materials, including nuclear weapons materials;
  • provide full funding for all state public health and environmental sampling and analysis activities at DOE nuclear energy and weapons complexes;
  • and provide clear instruction to DOE that states’ rights must be respected and that plans regarding DOE sites for processing of DOE research and weapons waste must be made in consultation with the various states concluding in mutually agreeable terms.

Share offshore oil development revenue with states.

• Whereas, the coastal regions of the US are fragile environmentally and under intense pressure from onshore support activities for the development of the nation’s oil and natural gas resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS);
• Whereas, each year the federal government receives billions of dollars in revenues from the development of oil and natural gas resources on the OCS, a capital asset of this nation;
• Whereas, the federal government does not share directly with the coastal states a meaningful portion of the revenues from the OCS, but it does share 50 percent of the revenues with the state for the development of onshore federal mineral resources within the state’s borders;
• Whereas, states that host onshore activities in support of offshore OCS mineral development should receive a share of these revenues to offset the impacts of this development;
• Whereas,, at least a portion of the revenues from this capital asset of the nation should be:
  • reinvested in infrastructure and environmental restoration in the coastal region of this nation;
  • used to fund the state and federal portions of the Land and Water Conservation Fund;
  • used for the primary objective of increasing conservation programs for non-game wildlife species and for programs that support fish and wildlife -dependent recreation;
  • used for preventing declining species from falling into the categories of threatened or endangered;
  • used to preserve and restore our nation’s historic places and to rehabilitate critically needed recreation facilities in our country’s urban areas;
• Resolved, That the southern governors urge the US Congress to pass and the President to sign legislation sharing a meaningful portion of OCS mineral revenues with all states and territories for the purposes stated above.

Federal tax incentives for energy, with state decisions.

1. Western Governors find that states must continue to play a pivotal role in electric power decisions. Specifically:
   • The existing authority of states over retail electric power sales and transmissions must be retained.
   • Congress should allow states to create regional mechanisms to decide regional power issues.

1. We need to pursue a national energy policy that will result in a diverse energy portfolio:
   • New energy development: Enable exploration and development of promising domestic oil, gas, coal, geothermal or wind resources.
   • Coal: Implement R&D and tax incentives to promote the development and deployment of new technologies.
   • Renewables: Accelerate the development and deployment of promising renewable energy technologies through the extension and expansion of state and federal production tax credits.
   • Environmental Regulation: Review environmental and natural resource policies to ensure they are as efficient as possible.
   • Permitting Energy Facilities: Streamline state, tribal and federal processes for siting new generation, electric transmission and natural gas pipelines.
   • Energy Infrastructure: Support economic and environmentally sound energy infrastructure investments to transport energy to markets

1. Energy efficiency and conservation: At a minimum:
   • Encourage rate structures that give utilities and customers an incentive to reduce consumption.
   • Encourage long-term stability of government and utility conservation programs.
   • Review and improve the energy efficiency of building codes and appliance efficiency standards that recognize the unique conditions in the West (e.g., dry climates).
   • Support federal, state and tribal tax incentives to accelerate the introduction of new energy efficient technologies.

Signed the No Climate Tax Pledge by AFP.

No Climate Tax Pledge: "I pledge to the taxpayers of my state, and to the American people, that I will oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue."

Sponsoring organizations: Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEU); National Taxpayers Union (NTU); Institute for Liberty Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen-leaders committed to advancing every individual's right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and intrusiveness of government is the best way to promote individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans.