State of Indiana Archives: on Energy & Oil
Andrew Straw:
Support green energy storage technology
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Prioritize green energy"?A: Strongly support. We need radical improvements in energy storage technology and electrical lines so the entire country can be one gigantic grid, driving down the costs of
energy everywhere. Green energy reduces reliance on dirty energy and we should also make electric vehicles more usable. There should be "pitstops" along our highways that allow electric cars and semis to recharge within a few minutes.
If a car runs out of juice, robotic recharge stations should be able to reach anywhere with a full charge available. These recharge stations would recharge themselves with solar.
Some of the reduced military savings can be used to place batteries in strategic places and improve the grid.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Indiana Senate candidate
Feb 28, 2018
Brad Ellsworth:
Supports nuclear, solar, & clean coal, but not cap-&-trade
The candidates were asked about clean energy and whether they could support incentives for biofuels and wind energy. Coats said the country needs to expand its use of natural gas and nuclear energy to become more independent and lower costs. "If we want
clean energy and low cost energy, we need to develop nuclear power," something he said can be done safely.But Coats said governments must be careful not to choose the winning and losing technologies by subsidizing selected options. "Government
and subsidies and politics destroys the whole process," he said.
Ellsworth said the nation needs to invest in a whole range of energy options--including nuclear power, wind and solar, and clean-coal technology. But Ellsworth said opposes President
Barack Obama's cap-and-trade energy bill, which he fears will lead to higher rates for Hoosier households and businesses.
Source: Louisville Courier-Transcript on 2010 Indiana Senate debate
Oct 22, 2010
Brad Ellsworth:
Cap-and-trade would put Hoosiers out of work
Coats and Ellsworth had a particularly testy exchange during a question about energy policy, even though both agreed there should be more investment in clean energy.Ellsworth alleged
Coats pushed for the cap-and-trade legislation aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions during his former role as a lobbyist. "Even though Mr. Coats comes back to Indiana and tells
Hoosiers he's against the legislation and it would be devastating and a job killer, what if it would have passed, Mr. Coats?"
Ellsworth said. "We would have put Americans and Hoosiers out of work based on your lobbying efforts."
Coats responded that Ellsworth was wrong but didn't elaborate.
Source: Boston Globe coverage of 2010 Indiana Senate debate
Oct 22, 2010
Brian Bosma:
Develop traditional domestic energy sources
Q: Do you support state funding for the development of alternative energy?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support state funding for the development of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil)?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support state funding for improvements to Indiana's energy infrastructure?
A: Yes.
Source: Indiana Gubernatorial 2012 PVS Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
Daniel Coats:
Don't pick winners & losers in biofuel; pick nuclear instead
The candidates were asked about clean energy and whether they could support incentives for biofuels and wind energy. Coats said the country needs to expand its use of natural gas and nuclear energy to become more independent and lower costs. "If we want
clean energy and low cost energy, we need to develop nuclear power," something he said can be done safely.But Coats said governments must be careful not to choose the winning and losing technologies by subsidizing selected options. "Government
and subsidies and politics destroys the whole process," he said.
Ellsworth said the nation needs to invest in a whole range of energy options--including nuclear power, wind and solar, and clean-coal technology. But Ellsworth said opposes President
Barack Obama's cap-and-trade energy bill, which he fears will lead to higher rates for Hoosier households and businesses.
Source: Louisville Courier-Transcript on 2010 Indiana Senate debate
Oct 22, 2010
Daniel Coats:
Accused of benefiting as lobbyist from pushing cap-and-trade
Coats and Ellsworth had a particularly testy exchange during a question about energy policy, even though both agreed there should be more investment in clean energy.Ellsworth alleged
Coats pushed for the cap-and-trade legislation aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions during his former role as a lobbyist. "Even though Mr. Coats comes back to Indiana and tells
Hoosiers he's against the legislation and it would be devastating and a job killer, what if it would have passed, Mr. Coats?"
Ellsworth said. "We would have put Americans and Hoosiers out of work based on your lobbying efforts."
Coats responded that Ellsworth was wrong but didn't elaborate.
Source: Boston Globe coverage of 2010 Indiana Senate debate
Oct 22, 2010
Eric Holcomb:
Coal reduces our dependency on foreign sources of energy
Candidate Obama said he would 'fundamentally transform' America. And he wasn't kidding. In his unmasked war on coal, President Obama has failed to work through the people's representatives in Congress but rather has gone around them and the Supreme Court
by issuing costly and naive executive rulings that will cost Hoosier jobs and cause home energy bills to rise.His agencies have become instruments of command and control into our daily lives and will undoubtedly hurt Hoosiers who can't afford those
coming hikes in their monthly energy bills.
Making America safer, stronger and freer requires we limit our dependency on foreign sources of energy, which necessitates supporting home-grown energy such as coal here in Southern Indiana.
The future growth and sustainability of our Hoosier economy depends on coal, and I look forward to proposing Indiana-grown ideas to further develop the natural resources we have to meet the energy needs of today and tomorrow."
Source: 2016 Indiana Senate campaign website, HolcombForIndiana.com
Aug 3, 2015
Eric Holcomb:
Delayed coal plant closures; ended credits for solar/wind
Q: Address as a top priority by taxing or limiting greenhouse gas output?Eric Holcomb: No. Signed a bill delaying coal plant closures and a bill ending financial credits to solar and wind owners who send excess power back to the grid.
Woody Myers: Yes. Will speed retirement of coal plants with new jobs for coal workers, set up greenhouse gas reduction targets and support new renewables.
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
Eric Holcomb:
Building largest solar farm in US on 13,000 acres
We're putting new energy into new energy. More and more solar projects are cropping up all across our state. After I visited Tel Aviv last year, Israel-based Doral Renewables announced they were building the largest solar farm in the United States on
13,000 acres in Starke and Pulaski counties. Eventually, it will generate enough electricity to power hundreds of thousands of homes, all by cultivating the sun.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Indiana legislature
Jan 11, 2022
Evan Bayh:
Climate science is unequivocal, but don't hurt business
Q: On Climate Change: Believe that human activity is the major factor driving climate change?Bayh: Yes. Believe the science is unequivocal.
Young: No. Believes there is no scientific consensus.
Q: On Climate Change: Should government limit the
levels of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere?
Bayh: Yes, although has opposed some regulations that he said would hurt Indiana businesses.
Young: No. Has opposed all regulation attempts.
Source: CampusElect Voter Guide to 2016 Indiana Senate race
Oct 9, 2016
Joe Donnelly:
I opposed cap-and-trade even though Dem leadership pushed it
Mourdock said Donnelly has too often bowed to pressure to line up with his own party. "Washington is that place where principles get crushed. They get compromised by partisanship," he said.
Donnelly answered that he had opposed the carbon cap-and-trade measure and supported a constitutional balanced budget amendment--two moves that were out of step with most congressional Democrats.
Source: Evansville Courier & Press on 2012 Indiana Senate debate
Oct 15, 2012
John Gregg:
Indiana is the Saudi Arabia of coal; use it!
Democrat John Gregg promised to promote more effective use of Indiana's abundant, low-cost energy resources to create jobs if he's elected governor. The former coal company worker said Indiana should lure manufacturers with the promise of cheap energy
and encourage them to make the components that could help the state become energy self-sufficient.`The windmills that you see when you drive up I-65 need to be made here, in Indiana,` Gregg said. `They should sit on steel that was poured in
Gary. Their wiring should come from Fort Wayne and their composite blades made in Lafayette.`
Gregg said he `vehemently` opposes federal regulations that may limit the use of coal to generate electricity. The federal government should instead look to
Indiana as a model for how best to use different types of energy, he said. `We're the Saudi Arabia of coal. Technology has improved the vastness of our wind capabilities. Natural gas is booming,` Gregg said, while also touting methane and biofuels.
Source: Northwest Indiana Times on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
Aug 29, 2012
John Gregg:
Nuclear plants have safety concerns; not for Indiana
Former Indiana House speaker John Gregg was skeptical of a plan announced by his opponent, Republican Mike Pence, to bring nuclear energy to Indiana, the only
Midwest state without nuclear power plants. `I don't think you could get the permits, the regulations, the sign-offs and everything done to get a nuclear plant,`
Gregg said. `I have no idea how many years it would take, but I'm pretty sure it would take more than one governor's term.` Gregg said many
Hoosiers also would have legitimate safety concerns about nuclear power following the 2011 nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima, Japan.
Source: Northwest Indiana Times on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
Aug 29, 2012
Mark Hurt:
Cost-benefit analysis for measures affecting clean coal
Hurt strongly supports Indiana Senator Todd Young's regulatory reform efforts requiring a cost benefit analysis and an up or down vote on measures affecting clean coal, clean air and many other areas of our society. Hurt believes the US Congress has
allowed its legislative functions to be unduly delegated to unelected staff at administrative agencies. Staff and appointed officials at agencies circumvent Congress, and through obtrusive regulations, increasingly bypassing elected representatives in
carrying out unwise regulations and imposing hidden taxes. Hurt, as a constitutionalist, strongly believes in the separation of powers and the placement of legislative power in the legislative branch of government, not the executive.On the issue of
lawmaking, Hurt states: "America needs leadership that respects the US Constitution and the rule of law, not just in words, but in actions. We need a newfound respect for the separation of governmental powers, and for states' rights."
Source: 2018 Indiana Senate race website, MarkHurt.org
Mar 3, 2017
Mark Hurt:
Climate change is a global scheme to redistribute wealth
Let's admit what the issue of climate change is really all about. It is nothing less than a global scheme to redistribute wealth. Russia, China, and India agreed to contribute nothing to a UN global fund as part of the unconstitutional
Paris Accords and Obama agreed to contribute $3 billion dollars of your money immediately and approximately $100 billion over the next 10 years.
Source: 2018 Indiana Senatorial website MarkHurt.com
Oct 15, 2017
Mike Pence:
All-of-the-above energy strategy instead of EPA over-reach
Because low-cost energy is vital to our economy, we need an all-of-the-above energy strategy, including energy efficiency.
But know this, Indiana is a pro-coal state, and we must continue to oppose the overreaching schemes of the EPA until we bring this war on coal to an end.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 Indiana Legislature
Jan 13, 2015
Mike Pence:
Against Obama's plan to battle climate change
Indiana will not comply with President Barack Obama's plan to battle climate change by requiring reductions in emissions from coal-fired power plants, Republican Gov. Mike Pence said Wednesday.
The proposal as currently written, known as the Clean Power Plan, will make Indiana electricity more expensive and less reliable and hurt economic growth in Indiana and across the nation, Pence wrote in a letter to Obama.
Source: Orange County Register on 2016 Indiana Governor race
Jun 24, 2015
Mitch Daniels:
Make IN a leader in electric vehicles & solar power industry
In 2009, several young companies who may lead the electric vehicle industry chose Indiana for their plants. Many of their suppliers are following them. Our goal is to be the capital of this potentially massive industry of tomorrow.
Over the last two years, Indiana has been the fastest growing state in wind power, and now businesses seeking to build the equipment for this new industry are coming. Within weeks, you'll see us explode onto the solar power landscape.
Source: Indiana 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 19, 2010
Mitch Daniels:
Support clean coal as well as alternative energy
Indicate which principles you support regarding energy.- Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
- Support increased production of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil, etc).
- Support providing financial
incentives to farms that produce biofuel crops.
- Support funding for improvements to Indiana's power generating and transmission facilities.
- Limit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases linked to global warming.
- Daniels adds, "Indiana has an
excellent record on alternative energy, with growing capacity for wind generation, biomass, geothermal, biofuels, and clean coal (including carbon storage and sequestration). We are building one of the nation's largest wind farms in the northeast part
of our state, and have one of the largest bio-diesel production facilities in the world being constructed. We have a 'brownfields' program to remediate contaminated sites. We completed the state's largest acquisition of conservation land in 2006."
Source: Indiana Gubernatorial Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Richard Lugar:
Subsidizing ethanol makes overall gasoline prices go down
When Mourdock blamed high gas prices on government regulation and an ethanol mandate that Lugar supported, the Senator fired back. "Ethanol makes the overall prices go down and furthermore, it's a Hoosier product with
Hoosier's producing it on farms that meant higher values for corn and higher land values for this state," said Lugar.
Source: 14 News WFIE Evansville on 2012 Indiana Senate debate
Apr 11, 2012
Richard Lugar:
Make all cars "flex-fuel" vehicles
Lugar found himself accused of driving up gas prices. Mourdock leveled the provocative charge that Lugar's ethanol policies are driving up prices at the pump, now at $3.85 a gallon in the state.Lugar has long been at the forefront of pro-ethanol
policies, including a proposal to make sure that all cars are "flex-fuel" vehicles capable of running on ethanol. But Mourdock charged that federal policies promoting ethanol are contributing to rising gas prices. "Most of us, especially as
Republicans, object to mandates from the federal government," Mourdock said. "And yet suddenly we saw more ethanol being mandated into our gasoline."
The federal government gave gas refiners a subsidy to add ethanol to their product,
but that policy was phased out at the start of 2012. Instead, the federal government now mandates only that the industry add some sort of alternative fuel, which often means ethanol derived from corn.
Source: Huffington Post on 2012 Indiana Senate debate
Apr 12, 2012
Richard Mourdock:
High gas prices come from federal mandates like ethanol
When Mourdock blamed high gas prices on government regulation and an ethanol mandate that Lugar supported, the Senator fired back. "Ethanol makes the overall prices go down and furthermore, it's a Hoosier product with
Hoosier's producing it on farms that meant higher values for corn and higher land values for this state," said Lugar.
Source: 14 News WFIE Evansville on 2012 Indiana Senate debate
Apr 11, 2012
Richard Mourdock:
Oppose ethanol subsidy as a matter of conservative principle
Mourdock leveled the provocative charge that Lugar's ethanol policies are driving up prices at the pump, now at $3.85 a gallon in the state. "Most of us, especially as Republicans, object to mandates from the federal government," Mourdock said. "And yet
suddenly we saw more ethanol being mandated into our gasoline."Just a few years ago, Mourdock's stance would have been heresy for a candidate in a farm state. Even though the state actually farms more acres of soybeans these days, corn has long been
integral to Indiana's self-image. Gov. Mitch Daniels and the candidates for governor are generally supportive of ethanol. Lugar, himself a farmer, has long taken the stance that what's good for corn is good for the state. But that argument has less
and less support from Republicans these days. The industry, meanwhile, believes it is finally becoming competitive on its own terms. Mourdock, who has been endorsed by the Tea Party Express, outlines his stance as a matter of conservative principle.
Source: Huffington Post on 2012 Indiana Senate debate
Apr 12, 2012
Richard Mourdock:
FactCheck: No, ethanol additive lowers gasoline price
Mourdock claimed that Lugar's pro-ethanol policies are driving up gas prices at the pump. Is that claim true? Mourdock may be influenced by his work as a coal geologist in the oil and coal industries. The Lugar campaign has attacked him for holding up
to $350,000 in stock in another alternative energy source, coal gas.
A 2011 PolitiFact report on whether ethanol reduces the price of gas, found that it depends on how high the price of oil is. With high gas prices today, ethanol producers have a
better argument than usual that their product actually keeps the price of gas down. But at the same time, ethanol may also drive up the prices of many food products by creating more demand for corn, and have untold environmental costs.
The director of
the Indiana Ethanol Producers Association quickly jumped on Mourdock's claims about ethanol. "I've never seen ethanol really go much above $3 a gallon, and right now, it's trading at $2.25. It's a low cost additive to gasoline," he said.
Source: PolitiFact.com 2012 Senate FactCheck: Indiana debate
Apr 12, 2012
Richard Mourdock:
Ethanol mandates lead to high gas prices
Mourdock was strong and focused when it came to economic issues. He criticized the Obama administration on several occasions. Federal regulations, including one mandating the use of corn-based ethanol, he said, have led to high gas prices, he said.
He also advocated for more domestic oil drilling. Lugar countered that the ethanol requirement helps state corn farmers, and said that gas prices are decreasing thanks to a relative calming of Middle East tensions.
Source: RealClearPoitics.com coverage of 2012 Indiana Senate debates
Apr 12, 2012
Thomas McDermott:
Focus on clean energy jobs, reduce carbon footprint
I'll make protecting our air and water a priority, as well as focusing on ensuring Indiana is set for the clean energy manufacturing jobs in that rapidly growing sector of America's economy. Also under my leadership, Hammond formed an energy
conservation program that will reduce the city's carbon footprint and save over $26 million in the next 15 years, all by upgrading our streetlights, HVAC systems, and outdated city vehicles with more efficient ones.
Source: 2022 Indiana Senate campaign website GoMcDermott.com
May 8, 2022
Woody Myers:
State is a big polluter, that needs to change
We must reduce the effects of climate change on our residents and businesses. As a manufacturing-rich state, we use a lot of energy--most of it supplied by fossil fuels. Our state has a reputation as a big polluter and that needs to change. We
cannot continue to destroy our environment or prop up dying industries because we're afraid of change. We can protect our environment by transitioning our workforce away from fossil fuels to good-paying jobs in renewable and sustainable energy sources.
Source: 2020 Indiana governor campaign website DrWoodyMyers.com
Mar 25, 2020
Woody Myers:
Indiana must shift to renewable energy to meet our needs
Indiana must become more energy efficient and shift to more renewable energy to meet our electricity needs and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As Governor,
I'll update Indiana's renewable energy standards and set a new clean energy goal to renew our commitment to a cleaner future. I'll inventory our greenhouse gas emissions and develop realistic reduction targets just as 22 other states have done.
Source: 2020 Indiana governor campaign website DrWoodyMyers.com
Mar 25, 2020
Woody Myers:
AdWatch: End tax cuts for Big Oil; invest in clean energy
Congressman Andre Carson is asking the president to stop buying oil to fill the strategic petroleum reserve which he says is already filled to 96 percent capacity.Another candidate in the 7th district is already making the point on gas prices.
Dr. Woody Myers has a commercial running stating his position: "In Congress I'll get rid of the George Bush tax cuts for the big oil and gas companies and use the money to invest in clear energy and fuel efficient cars."
Source: WTHR-13 NBC-TV AdWatch on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race
Apr 14, 2008
Mike Braun:
Businesses need time to make the transition to clean energy
[On global warming]: "Utilities have already made a pretty strong statement that they are moving from coal to natural gas," said Braun. "It is very clear that the cleanest, least expensive fuel needs to carry the day." Regardless of which energy source
is preferred, Braun said stopping climate change cannot be done by pulling the rug out from under people, especially businesses heavily invested in coal and other fossil fuels. He said these businesses need time to make the transition to clean energy.
Source: 95.3 FM MNC on 2024 Indiana Senate race
Oct 11, 2021
Suzanne Crouch:
Supports venture turning animal waste into natural gas
Crouch joined BioTown AG officials, county officials and others involved in the newest BioTown AG venture, BioGas LLC. The Agriculture business welcomed all who are involved in the process of changing livestock manure into clean natural gas from methane
produced by the waste. Crouch told Furrer, the company is helping Indiana imagine the future by helping the state reduce its carbon footprint. "It's an honor to be here at this momentous occasion," she said.
Source: Herald Journal on 2024 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Mar 22, 2023
Marc Carmichael:
Will take immediate action on global warming
Wants to leave our planet better than we found it for
our children and grandchildren and will take immediate action on global warming.
Source: 2024 Indiana Senate campaign website MarcForIndiana.com
Sep 11, 2023
Mike Braun:
No transition to technologies that can't meet energy demands
Indiana should embrace an energy policy that unleashes the prosperity of our state's abundant natural resources and embraces new technologies that can deliver clean and affordable energy. Mike Braun will stand up to those that are forcing
a transition to technologies that can't meet energy demands, risk rolling blackouts, mean higher costs and will lead to lost jobs for thousands of Hoosiers.
Source: 2024 Indiana Governor campaign website MikeBraunForIndiana
Oct 24, 2023
Jennifer McCormick:
Adopt renewable energy, incentivize green technology
We will create an economic development plan that promotes environmental stewardship, energy efficiency, and resilience to our changing climate. I will support the transition and expansion of renewable and clean energy for Hoosier citizens and businesses
by investing in locally-driven energy practices.We will commit to joining the bipartisan group of governors in the U.S. Climate Alliance to further encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources and incentivize green technology innovation.
Source: 2024 Indiana Governor campaign website McCormickForGov.com
Jun 10, 2024
Suzanne Crouch:
Supports "All of the Above" strategy
Q: Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws cost too many jobs. B) Stricter environmental laws are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent
policy action.A: Stricter environmental laws and regulations do have a cost and can deter jobs and economic growth. We need to follow reasonable rules that avoid the harmful effects of regulation and also recognize that we are stewards and need to
maintain a clean and healthy environment. Our energy policy needs to be balanced with an emphasis on foreign independence, affordability, and reliability as the energy markets transition.
Q: What do you believe is the most reliable energy source?
A: We need to continue an All of the Above strategy focused on the five pillars of electric service: affordability, reliability, resilience, stability, and environmental sustainability to guide current and new energy policies for Indiana.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2024 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Aug 8, 2024
Eric Doden:
I'll support any energy source that keeps costs low
?Doden: Our next governor's focus should be to make sure Hoosiers have affordable, reliable and available energy. Right now, that means natural gas and coal. That's why on day one, I will sign an executive order to keep our coal plants open, generating
power, until the market supports a reliable and affordable replacement. At the end of the day, I'll support any energy source that keeps costs low and the lights on for homeowners and businesses.
Source: Indiana Capital Chronicle on 2024 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Apr 4, 2024
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026