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Tim Walz on Energy & Oil
Democrat
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Supports nuclear power as part of clean energy plan
Under Walz's leadership, Minnesota adopted an aggressive clean energy plan. We asked if that includes nuclear power, which is controversial because of the potential for accidents and the thorny issue of what to do with nuclear waste. Although Yucca
Mountain, north of Las Vegas, has been designated as the national repository for high-level nuclear waste, Democrats have defunded the project and are seeking alternatives to burying waste at Yucca.But Walz said despite the waste issue, nuclear
should be part of the nation's energy portfolio. "I know the vice president and I talk about an 'all of the above' [strategy]," Walz said. "I know one of the issues, and I know this is a hot topic here in Nevada, the storage issue. And how do we store
the waste? But I do think it's part of it. I think we're going to have an aggressive approach."
Walz's home state of Minnesota has two nuclear generating stations and struggling to deal with the waste generated there.
Source: KNTV ABC-13 on 2024 Veepstakes
, Nov 1, 2024
Reducing our impact is absolutely critical on climate change
TW: Senator Vance has said that there's a climate problem in the past, Donald Trump called it a hoax and then joked that these things would make more beachfront property to be able to invest in.
So the solution for us is to continue to move forward. Reducing our impact is absolutely critical. But this is not a false choice. You can do that at the same time you're creating the jobs that we're seeing all across the country.
JDV: This idea that carbon emissions drives all the climate change. Well, let's just say that's true, just for the sake of argument, so we're not arguing about weird science. Let's just say that's true. Well, if you believe that, what would you, what
would you want to do? The answer is that you'd want to reshore as much American manufacturing as possible and you'd want to produce as much energy as possible in the United States of America because we're the cleanest economy in the entire world.
Source: 2024 Vice Presidential debate: Tim Walz vs. JD Vance
, Oct 2, 2024
Let's harvest wind and produce more clean energy
Q: What responsibility would your administration have to try and reduce the impact of climate change?WALZ: Donald Trump called it a hoax, [but Minnesota] farmers know climate change is real. They've seen 500 year droughts, 500 year floods, back to
back. But what they're doing is adapting, telling me, "Look, I harvest corn, I harvest soybean, and I harvest wind." We are producing more natural gas and more oil at any time than we ever have. We're also producing more clean energy.
VANCE: The real
issue is that if you're spending billions on solar panels that are made in China, you're going to make the economy dirtier. We should be making more of those solar panels here in the United States.
WALZ: We are. In Minnesota.
VANCE: Some of them
are, Tim, but a lot of them are being made overseas in China, especially the components that go into those solar panels. So if you really want to make the environment cleaner, you've got to invest in more energy production.
Source: 2024 Vice Presidential debate: Tim Walz vs. JD Vance
, Oct 1, 2024
By 2040, 100% of utility power from carbon-free sources
Walz has forged a robust climate record during his two gubernatorial terms, most notably by signing one of the strongest green energy bills into law last year. The policy requires Minnesota to eliminate carbon from its electricity generation by 2040,
obtaining 100% of its utilities from carbon-free sources. Only a handful of states are requiring the switch to carbon-free electricity to occur at such a rapid pace.The climate victory came during a legislative session in which Democrats passed
dozens of other green policies. Among them: a bill meant to streamline energy permitting that Walz signed in June. "This is a measure that will help protect our environment and get the clean energy projects that are going to help fight climate change in
motion," he said.
During his tenure, the governor has also funded clean energy career training and allocated $2bn to natural resources, climate and energy projects in a bill that has been compared to the Inflation Reduction Act.
Source: The Guardian (UK) on 2024 Vice Presidential hopefuls
, Aug 7, 2024
Invest in statewide electric vehicle charging infrastructure
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor propose investing more than $262 million in environmental stewardship projects across the state. The plan includes $20 million in flood hazard mitigation grants to local governments, $13.8
million in statewide electric vehicle charging infrastructure, $60 million in capital improvements to bus rapid transit, more than $20 million for local government stormwater construction grants, and $8 million in dam safety repair and reconstruction.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to Minnesota legislature
, Jan 18, 2022
Climate change is complex problem & existential threat
Climate change is an existential threat that impacts all Minnesotans and our ability to thrive. Communities, farms, and industry face more frequent extreme weather events that threaten the infrastructure that we rely on to connect all parts of our state,
cause undue economic stress, and place our communities and environment at risk. The duties of the Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change and Subcabinet are as follows:
Climate Mitigation and Resilience Policy and Strategy Development.
Identify policies and strategies that the State may adopt to meet the economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions goals of the 2007 Next Generation Energy Act and achieve 100% clean energy by 2050.Identify policies and strategies that will enhance the
climate resiliency of Minnesota's natural resources, working lands, and communities.Consider how climate change mitigation and resilience policies and strategies can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy waste.
Source: Minnesota voting records: Executive Order 19-37
, Dec 2, 2019
Climate change is real and urgent
Q: Consider climate change a critical threat?Jeff Johnson (R): No. Says climate is changing naturally and human involvement is debatable.
Tim Walz (D): Yes. Sees climate change as real and urgent.
Q: Should the government limit the levels of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
Johnson: No. Believes that a single country's efforts to mitigate climate change would have only a "small effect" & "we don't need to reorder our economy based on climate change."
Walz): Yes.
Supported legislation to restrict carbon emissions. Opposed Trump's decision to withdraw from Paris Climate Agreement.
Q: Support government subsidies for renewable energy?
Johnson: Questions Minnesota's mandates on producing renewable fuels
like ethanol & biodiesel, but promises not to end them if elected.
Walz: Yes. Wants to expand the Renewable Energy Standard, so Minnesota will get at least 50% of its energy from renewables by 2030, up from 21% now.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Minnesota Governor race
, Oct 9, 2018
Reduce our reliance on fossil fuels
Tim Walz's environmental program starts with reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and the negative effects on our air, water and climate.
We can immediately reduce energy usage via simple conservation practices and greater use of today's efficient technology. We only need some real leadership to make this happen now.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.timwalz.org, "Issues"
, Nov 7, 2006
Drill for oil & gas in offshore OCS & Eastern Gulf of Mexico.
Walz voted NAY Interior & Environment Agencies Appropriations
Congressional Summary: House amendment to H.R. 5538, the Interior & Environment Agencies Appropriations bill for FY 2017. This amendment would prohibit funds to be used to research, investigate, or study offshore drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
Heritage Foundation recommends voting NO: (7/13/2016): The Gulf of Mexico continues to be a very important asset for our energy future and it continues to produce significant amounts of oil and natural gas. Yet the Eastern Gulf of Mexico has not participated to this point despite its significant potential. A 2014 Heritage Foundation report said: `Excessive regulations and bureaucratic inefficiencies have stymied oil production and prevented the full effects of the energy boom.` This amendment would block any potential progress that could take place by preventing the necessary work that would need to be prepared in the East Gulf for potential lease sales and eventual
production.
Sierra Club recommends voting YES: (1/12/1974): The Sierra Club believes that no offshore petroleum exploration should occur unless and until the following conditions are met:
- Strengthen the Coastal Zone Management System.
- Lease sales should be prohibited in areas that possess:
- High seismic activity
- Fragile or unstable geological structures
- Proximity to particularly diverse or productive marine ecosystems, or marine sanctuaries
- Where visual impact of offshore structures would significantly reduce aesthetic values
- Where the risks are unusually high.
- Petroleum exploration and production must be subject to automatic, heavy fines for all oil spills regardless of cause.
- The Sierra Club opposes leasing of lands beyond 200 meters depth until international agreements [define] ownership of sea floor resources.
Legislative outcome: Failed House 185 to 243 (no Senate vote).
Source: Congressional vote 16-H5538B on Jul 13, 2016
Include agricultural products in renewable fuels.
Walz signed Renewable Fuel Standard Improvement Act
To amend the Clean Air Act as follows:- Define `lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions` as the aggregate quantity of direct greenhouse gas emissions relating to the full fuel lifecycle, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Energy.
- The term `lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions` includes greenhouse gas emissions from all stages of fuel and feedstock production and distribution, from feedstock generation or extraction through the delivery and use of the finished fuel, accounting for the relative global warming potential of the greenhouse gases.
- Reassign the baseline for renewable fuels at 3 year intervals, beginning in 2008.
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Define `renewable biomass` as materials, pre-commercial thinnings, or invasive species from National Forest System land and public lands that:
- are byproducts of preventive treatments
- that are removed to reduce hazardous fuels; to reduce or contain disease or insect infestation; or to restore ecosystem health;
- would not otherwise be used for higher-value products; and
- are harvested in accordance with land management plans; old-growth maintenance; and large-tree retention; or
- any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis from non-Federal land including renewable plant material; feed grains; algae; crop residue; vegetative waste material; animal waste and byproducts; food waste and yard waste.
Source: H.R.2409 2009-H2409 on May 14, 2009
Page last updated: Nov 02, 2024; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org