State of South Dakota secondary Archives: on Energy & Oil
Billie Sutton:
Must invest in energy efficiency options to move forward
While protecting the resources we have, we can also invest in forward-thinking energy production and focus on energy efficiency in our projects.
Billie will work to fuel the state fleet with E-30 to support our ethanol producers. He will also work to establish a grant program to assist communities and nonprofits in their energy efficiency ventures.
Source: 2018 South Dakota governor candidate website SuttonForSD.com
May 2, 2018
Brian Bengs:
Speed the transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources
I will support tax incentives to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and for clean energy vehicles, investments to speed the transition of our economy from fossil fuels toward renewable sources, and more funding for renewable energy research.
When I think about clean energy, I see Americans with good paying jobs and everyone with more money in their pockets due to lower utility bills. American ingenuity has changed the world in the past and it can do so again if we support the effort.
Source: 2022 South Dakota Senate campaign website BengsForSenate.com
Mar 15, 2022
Brian Bengs:
Energy independence through clean energy not fossil fuels
[On CO2 emissions]: "And if we're going to pursue energy independence, it seems like the best path is through clean energy and not the fossil fuels market where we have to go through places like Russia, and just trying to increase the production of
oil," Bengs says. Those things keep us in the same boat we've been in since the 1970s. "Oil is a global commodity, so the price isn't set in the U.S. and U.S. production isn't necessarily going to save us," Bengs says.
Source: S.D. Public Broadcasting on 2022 South Dakota Senate race
Mar 17, 2022
Daniel Ahlers:
Promote conservation, sustainability, and coal
Protecting our resources is both essential and beneficial to responsible economic development and quality of life. We need to manage these resources in a way that strengthen South Dakota's vital industries like hunting and tourism.
Our polices should promote sound conservation practices geared toward long-term sustainability. These policies need to include all forms of energy (including coal) and emphasize and encourage energy conservation.
Source: 2020 South Dakota Senate campaign website DanAhlers.com
Dec 25, 2019
Dennis Daugaard:
Increase ethanol revolving fund from $7M to $17M
An economic development goal is to revamp the Revolving Economic Development Initiative or "REDI" Fund. An important first step is to increase the total value of the fund. I'm proud to announce today an innovative and forward-thinking partnership with
our state's ethanol industry that will refocus state ethanol incentives and provide an extra $10 million for the REDI Fund over the next five years. Currently, our state provides $7 million a year in incentives to ethanol plants operating in South Dakota
Source: 2011 South Dakota State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2011
Dennis Daugaard:
Explore our potential for oil development
Another good example of our leaders working together has been in the area of oil and gas. This year I convened two work groups, and I know the Legislature did likewise. The first to explore our potential for oil development, and the second to examine
the areas where preparation may be needed in response to development in South Dakota and in North Dakota. At the same time, the Legislature formed an interim committee to study potential legislation to deal with these important issues.
Although our oil and gas production may not reach the level of our friends in North Dakota, the work of the Legislature, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and others will put
South Dakota in a better position to capitalize on our potential. If we can't pull oil out of our ground, let's help North Dakota do so with services and products in South Dakota.
Source: South Dakota 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 8, 2013
Gordon Howie:
Congress should pass laws benefiting the oil & gas industry
The federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon was last raised in 1993, and has lost more than a quarter of its purchasing power since that time. As vehicles become more fuel efficient and road construction becomes more expensive, the federal Highway
Trust Fund is facing bankruptcy in May.Former Sen. Larry Pressler said he would vote for an immediate increase 12 cents per gallon in the gas tax. Two other candidates, Mike Rounds and Rick Weiland, didn't rule out an increase in the gas tax, but
said other solutions need to be tried first.
Independent Gordon Howie said he opposes raising the gas tax--and especially proposals to tie it to the rate of inflation. Instead, he said, Congress should pass laws benefiting the oil and gas industry,
which he said would result in higher tax revenue as the industry booms.
"Some estimates have predicted that with pro-growth policies, the industry could bring in an additional $800 billion in revenue over the next 15 years," Howie said.
Source: Argus-Leader on 2014 South Dakota Senate debate
Aug 2, 2014
Gordon Howie:
No subsidies for wind and solar
Question topic: Governments should pay to develop wind and solar energy solutions when these are not economically feasible.
Howie: Strongly Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 South Dakota Senate race
Sep 30, 2014
Jay Williams:
This planet is our only home; curb carbon emissions
Sen. John Thune has acknowledged that humans play a role in climate change, and yet he refuses to do anything about it. At best, that's lazy, but in reality, it's a careless disregard for the well-being of future generations. By acknowledging that human
activity plays a role in climate change, but refusing to support legislation to curb carbon emissions, Thune is behaving irresponsibly and dangerously. According to NOAA, 14 of the 15 hottest years on record since modern record keeping began in 1880
occurred in the 21st century. Last year, 2015, was the hottest year on record, and 2014 was the second hottest. The number of Category 4 & 5 hurricanes is increasing, heat waves are becoming more frequent, more than a million species could be driven to
extinction by 2050, worldwide sea levels are rising, and sea ice is melting. This planet is the only home we have. It's our responsibility to ensure we don't destroy it. Jay will support legislation to curb carbon emissions and protect the environment.
Source: 2016 South Dakota Senate campaign web JayWilliams2016.org
Apr 1, 2016
Larry Pressler:
Immediate increase of 12 cents per gallon in the gas tax
With Congress scrambling for fixes to highway funding because of the near-bankruptcy of the federal Highway Trust Fund, only one of the four U.S. Senate candidates is endorsing an increase in the gas tax.The federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon
was last raised in 1993, and has lost more than a quarter of its purchasing power since that time. As vehicles become more fuel efficient and road construction becomes more expensive, the federal Highway Trust Fund is facing bankruptcy in May.
Former Sen. Larry Pressler, running as an independent, said he would vote for an immediate increase 12 cents per gallon in the gas tax.
"I know any tax increases are politically unpopular, but we absolutely must rebuild our nation's highways, and
we cannot add any more to the national debt," Pressler said in a statement.
Two other candidates didn't rule out an increase in the gas tax, but said other solutions need to be tried first.
Source: Argus-Leader on 2014 South Dakota Senate debate
Aug 2, 2014
Mike Rounds:
Tax energy exploration on federal land instead of gas tax
Former Sen. Larry Pressler, running as an independent, said he would vote for an immediate increase 12 cents per gallon in the gas tax."I know any tax increases are politically unpopular, but we absolutely must rebuild our nation's highways, and
we cannot add any more to the national debt," Pressler said in a statement.
Two other candidates didn't rule out an increase in the gas tax, but said other solutions need to be tried first. "Until we exhaust every other option,
I wouldn't consider a gas tax increase--especially with this administration in control of the money," Republican Mike Rounds said in a statement. Rounds said he would prefer to look at "spending reforms, alternative revenue options
such as revenue from energy exploration on federal lands" or "reforms that provide greater flexibility to the states and local contractors."
Democrat Rick Weiland said he wouldn't "ask any South Dakotan to pay more taxes on gasoline."
Source: Argus-Leader on 2014 South Dakota Senate debate
Aug 2, 2014
Rick Weiland:
Opposes Keystone XL pipeline
Weiland is certainly no centrist like Heidi Heitkamp (ND). He's the rare critic of ObamaCare who says it doesn't go far enough; he opposes the controversial Keystone XL pipeline that remains popular with conservatives.A campaign adviser said Weiland
is framing his push for a public option as essentially support for allowing the public to buy into Medicare, which is popular with seniors, and his opposition to Keystone XL is appealing to farmers & ranchers who know it could hurt their water supply.
Source: The Hill blog on 2014 South Dakota Senate race
Mar 25, 2014
Rick Weiland:
End subsidies to big oil companies, instead of gas tax
Two candidates didn't rule out an increase in the gas tax, but said other solutions need to be tried first."Until we exhaust every other option, I wouldn't consider a gas tax increase--especially with this administration in control of the money,"
Republican Mike Rounds said in a statement. Rounds said he would prefer to look at "spending reforms, alternative revenue options such as revenue from energy exploration on federal lands" or "reforms that provide greater flexibility to the states and
local contractors."
Democrat Rick Weiland said he wouldn't "ask any South Dakotan to pay more taxes on gasoline." Instead, Weiland said Congress should raise money by eliminating "subsidies" and "tax loopholes" to "big oil companies and other
huge corporations." An increase in the gas tax, Weiland said, would be on the table only after "asking big corporations to pay their fair share" and providing people with more money in the form of a minimum wage increase.
Source: Argus-Leader on 2014 South Dakota Senate debate
Aug 2, 2014
Kristi Noem:
Get these American-first energy supplies back online
I think a lot of energy policies should be addressed, a lot of them with opening up American energy supply again. I wish he wouldn't have canceled the Keystone pipeline. I wish he wouldn't have stopped drilling on federal lands.
He's made us much more dependent on our enemies on foreign soil. When we get these American-first energy supplies back online and we start depending on ourselves and become independent, it certainly will be a better day for South Dakotans.
Source: CNN SOTU interviews on 2022 South Dakota Gubernatorial race
Jul 3, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023