2012 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Energy & Oil
Martin O`Malley:
Raise gas tax by 2% per year, to rebuild infrastructure
Today, with gasoline at $3.50 per gallon, our primary source of revenue for transportation is the same flat 23 cents it was when gas was $1.08 per gallon. Meanwhile, it costs more to paint the Bay Bridge today than it did to build the first span.
As the Baltimore Sun editorializes, "If Maryland continues to embrace a 1992 tax rate, it will have to settle for crumbling 1992-era infrastructure."No one has wanted to ask people to do more.
The best remaining option in my view is to repeal the current sales tax exemption on a gallon of gasoline; phasing it out by two percent a year, with a "braking mechanism" to protect consumers in the event that the price of gas spikes.
An enhanced investment on this scale would allow us to create 7,500 new jobs building needed roads, bridges, and public transit throughout our State.
Source: 2012 Maryland State of the State Address
Feb 3, 2012
Sean Parnell:
Build the Alaska gasline to extract natural gas
I ask you to join me [via the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act] in refilling Alaska's pipeline to prosperity. We will grow Alaska's economy by accessing our abundant natural gas. Our state has more than 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the ground.
This gas represents cheaper heating fuel for Alaska homes and Alaska businesses, and these reserves can energize and grow Alaska's economy. But before we can realize these benefits, a gasline must be built to bring these reserves to market.
Source: Alaska 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 18, 2012
Susana Martinez:
Eliminate gross receipts tax on locomotive fuels
Early last year, I came before you to ask that we eliminate the gross receipts tax on locomotive fuels to level the playing field with Texas. I promised that if we did that, Union Pacific would locate in New Mexico.
We came together in a bi-partisan manner and eliminated that tax. And Union Pacific is now in New Mexico, creating 3,000 jobs building their new facility and over 600 permanent jobs. TE Connectivity is now leaving
El Paso and moving to Santa Teresa, creating up to 200 jobs. It's a similar story with Alaska Structures, which also moved operations here from El Paso.
In fact, a Texas newspaper has seen what we've done,
and they're worried--they said so in an editorial. Texas is worrying about New Mexico stealing their jobs. My friends, the more they worry, the better we're doing.
Source: 2012 New Mexico State of the State Address
Jan 17, 2012
John Hickenlooper:
Develop unconventional technology for extracting shale oil
Colorado's energy sector holds tremendous promise. We continue to build on the state's reputation as a leader in promoting solar, wind and renewable energies and developing cleaner fossil fuels. Colorado is blessed with abundant reserves of natural gas.
With new discoveries in the Niobrara formation and technologies for extracting shale oil, we are poised to be a leader in unconventional energy technology as well.
Source: Colorado 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 12, 2012
John Hickenlooper:
Fracking opens new era of energy; but disclose ingredients
We also start the year with the country's strongest and fairest rule disclosing the ingredients in the "fracking" process. The old geologist in me is champing at the bit to go into detail about this process. Suffice it to say that this is a drilling
procedure that has opened the door to a whole new era of energy development that can lead to more jobs, cleaner air and energy security for our country and the world. The ideas and innovations that created this revolution all occurred in Colorado.
Source: Colorado 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 12, 2012
Earl Ray Tomblin:
Fight the federal government's war on coal
As long as I am Governor I will continue to fight this administration's war on coal! A few months ago, a federal court agreed with our lawsuit and ruled that the federal EPA had in fact overstepped its authority. I will keep fighting until
Washington recognizes that one of the keys to America's future is the use and promotion of our natural resources. It is a fight from which I will not shrink, and one that I fully expect to win!
Source: West Virginia 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2012
Andrew Cuomo:
Focus more attention on exploiting our solar potential
Now it is time to focus more attention on exploiting our solar potential. But we need to do this in ways that protect the ratepayer. Solar power is still more expensive per megawatt hour to develop than other renewables. Therefore, we will greatly expand
the state's solar programs, but as we do so we will keep an eye firmly on costs. We will increase competitive procurement of large, commercial-sized solar projects. And we will expand rebate programs for residential and commercial small-to-medium
systems. In its first year, the NY-Sun Initiative will be capable of doubling the customer-sited photovoltaic capacity that was installed in 2011. By 2013, we estimate that NY-Sun will quadruple the 2011 capacity. We will continue to establish New York's
technology leadership in this important emerging market while balancing investments in other renewable resources and protecting the taxpayer. This approach will create jobs, expand solar power, and protect ratepayers--a win, win, win.
Source: 2012 New York State of the State Address
Jan 4, 2012
Page last updated: Aug 10, 2019