2017 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Energy & Oil
Jim Christiana:
Cut spending, cut taxes
Reprioritizing spending, consolidating government programs and no broad-based tax increases sounds like the start of a state budget I could get behind. The spending increases the governor proposed cannot be fulfilled with our current revenue outlook
and would require tax increases of some kind. We must focus on finding innovative ways to deliver services, reduce spending and address the cost drivers that already take way too much money out of our taxpayers' hard-earned paychecks.
Source: Comments on 2017 Pennsylvania State of the State speech
Jul 2, 2017
Doug Burgum:
Protest campers at Dakota Access Pipeline should leave
Burgum spoke of impending damage to the environment and potential danger to protesters and first responders if Dakota Access Pipeline opponents don't vacate the main camp in southern Morton County before a likely flood hits in March. The unauthorized
camp sits in a floodplain on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land at the confluence of the Missouri and Cannonball rivers. Burgum said vacating the camp and cleaning up the abandoned cars, illegal structures and human waste from months of occupation will
be a costly and time-consuming effort."The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has repeatedly asked for the remaining protesters to leave. We unequivocally support him in this request," Burgum said.
"Peaceful protest is a protected right of all Americans,"
Burgum said. "However, protesters must respect private property rights, court orders and law enforcement personnel. Acts of vandalism, harassment and trespass are not a part of North Dakota's character and will not be tolerated."
Source: Press release on 2017 North Dakota State of the State speech
Feb 8, 2017
Jim Justice:
Lower the severance tax on coal and gas
I truly believe that we ought to tier our severance tax on coal and gas. You know, it's just this simple. And our coal companies are really hurting. And I know a lot about this.
When they're really hurting, we got to step up and help them. And at that point in time, we probably have to step up and lower the severance tax. The same way with the gas.
Source: 2017 West Virginia State of the State address
Feb 8, 2017
Jim Justice:
Lower, and then tier, the severance tax on coal and gas
We ought to tier our severance tax on coal and gas. Our coal companies are really hurting. When they're really hurting, we got to step up and help them. And at that point in time, we probably have to step up and lower the severance tax.
The same way with the gas.But I am telling you, I am not a hog. If we have the bonanza that I think is in front of us with coal--especially metallurgical coals--what if? What if I were to tell you, just this: Think about this for a second.
If coal is $35, whoever is mining that is losing money. Lowering the severance tax on that to 2%, or whatever you want to do, okay, I'm good. There's got to be a sweet spot to where we're back to five.
What if it goes to $200 a ton? What happens?
There's no way that anybody's cost is going to be greater than $80. At this level right here, anybody's profit is $120 a ton. At this point in time right here, this severance tax needs to be 10%. All it would do is lower the profitability to $110 a ton.
Source: 2017 West Virginia State of the State address
Feb 8, 2017
Larry Hogan:
Clean Cars Act: invest in electric cars & charging stations
We cemented our state's position as a national leader in combating greenhouse gas emissions. We enacted legislation expanding the Climate Change Commission.This year, let's make targeted, common sense investments to support our green jobs initiatives
and to attract private investment for clean energy projects in our state.
We need your help to pass our Clean Cars Act of 2017, which will increase our investment in both electric vehicles and in the charging station tax credit programs.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Maryland Legislature
Feb 1, 2017
Phil Scott:
Tax holiday on hybrids, electric vehicles, & green products
I'm committed to working towards energy efficiency and renewable energy goals. I believe we can reach our goal of 90% renewables. To further promote energy efficiency and decrease our reliance on fuel sources that impact our climate,
I'm proposing a tax holiday and rebate program on hybrids, electric vehicles and energy efficient products. Vermonters will see a 6 percent savings through these initiatives, encouraging more to invest in energy efficiency.
Source: 2017 Vermont State of the State address
Jan 25, 2017
Charlie Baker:
Reduce carbon footprint while maintaining supply of energy
Together [with the Legislature], we passed landmark legislation that will reduce our carbon footprint while maintaining a competitively priced and reliable supply of energy. And we've built on those efforts by issuing an Executive Order on
Climate Change that directs state government to work with local governments, business, and non-profits to develop plans to further protect our environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Massachusetts Legislature
Jan 24, 2017
Jerry Brown:
No climate deniers: the science is clear; the danger is real
Our state is known the world over for the actions we have taken to encourage renewable energy and combat climate change. Whatever they do in Washington, they can't change the facts. And these are the facts: the climate is changing, the temperatures are
rising and so are the oceans. Natural habitats everywhere are under increasing stress. The world knows this.194 countries signed the Paris Agreement to control greenhouse gases. Our own voluntary agreement to accomplish the same goal--the "Under Two
M.O.U."--has 165 signatories, representing a billion people. We cannot fall back and give in to the climate deniers. The science is clear. The danger is real.
We can do much on our own and we can join with others--other states and provinces and even countries, to stop the dangerous rise in climate pollution. And we will.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to California Legislature
Jan 24, 2017
David Ige:
100% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2045
In addition to HI Growth, the state has undertaken other initiatives that utilize innovation to grow the bottom line. A good example is Hawaii's Clean Energy Mandate. Our goal of generating 100 percent of our electricity from renewable sources by 2045
is good for both our economy and the environment.The mandate has stimulated demand for clean tech innovations, many of them running through our Hawaii Energy Excelerator. Together, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island, currently obtains 25 percent
of our electricity from renewable sources. On Kauai the figure is 40 percent. With 65 renewable energy projects across the state, we are on schedule to meet our 2020 target for increasing renewable energy use. Earlier this month, the state's largest
operating solar facility in Waianae successfully placed 28 megawatts into commercial operation. On Kauai, the nation's first closed-loop, bio-mass to electricity plant began operations near Koloa, fueled by albizia and eucalyptus trees.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Hawaii Legislature
Jan 23, 2017
Rick Snyder:
Protect our environment while meeting our energy needs
One of the big accomplishments this last year was energy legislation. Some of us even pulled an all-nighter on that one, but it was worth it because it's going to achieve three outcomes.
It's going to help protect our environment, it's going to help us meet our energy needs, and it's going to save Michiganders money.
Source: 2017 Michigan State of the State address
Jan 17, 2017
Susana Martinez:
Diversify so we're not at mercy of federal government
One year ago, I warned about the impacts of lost oil and gas revenue. We all know the cause of the crisis. We've been at the mercy of the federal government and an unpredictable oil and gas market. We have been among the top five most dependent states
on the federal government. Oil and gas revenues make up a third of our budget. It's been this way for decades and we won't change it overnight. But we must continue diversifying our economy and restraining the size of government.
When sequestration hit, we got an up-close look at what can happen when we are too reliant on federal government spending, and now we're seeing it with oil and gas. In just a year and a half, oil prices dropped 71 percent. That hit us hard.
We lost over 11,000 oil and gas jobs. Despite those losses, we added over 30,000 private sector jobs. That's a direct result of choosing reforms: We are diversifying our economy and laying a strong foundation for private-sector growth.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to New Mexico Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Matt Mead:
$10M prize for making a useful product from captured CO2
We not only want to be the energy state in terms of production, we want to be the energy state in terms of innovation, and we can be. The carbon initiative looks at building an industry around CO2. This means investing in advanced energy technologies
and innovation. Integrated Test Center under construction now at the Dry Fork Station in Gillette is part of this effort. The relationships we fostered with XPrize has now put together a $10 million prize for the team that can figure
out to how to capture that CO2 but not only capture it but use it to make it a useful product. This has not only brought attention in Wyoming to how we help further coal, but around the country.
It's very important to have that innovation here in Wyoming. An industrial park project for value-added energy products, that is uses beyond extraction, is also a part of the carbon initiative.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 11, 2017
Page last updated: Dec 10, 2018