State of Michigan Archives: on Energy & Oil

Marcia Squier: Enbridge-Line-5 pipeline should be permanently closed

A: I believe Line 5 needs to be permanently shut down. No tunnel encasing it, and no replacement pipeline. Our Great Lakes are unique and valuable in this world- priceless. No oil company profits will convince me otherwise. It's ours to protect.

John James: Green New Deal would decimate Michigan's economy

Bill Schuette: Opposed 25% electricity from renewables by 2025

Schuette: No. Opposed 2012 initiative to require 25% of electricity production from renewables by 2025.

Whitmer: Yes. Strong support for renewables.

Debbie Stabenow: Climate change is real & human activity contributes

John James (R): No public statement found.

Debbie Stabenow (D): Yes. Voted for bill stating "climate change is real & human activity significantly contributes." Challenged USDA about removing & changing climate change language.

Q: Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

James: No public statement found.

Stabenow: Yes. Helps create jobs and grow economy.

Gretchen Whitmer: Oppose withdrawal from Paris Climate Accord

Bill Schuette (R): No. Joined letter arguing that science wasn't settled, so Exxon wasn't lying about climate change. Opposed "burdensome" EPA regulations and Obama Clean Power Plan.

Gretchen Whitmer (D): Yes. Opposed Trump withdrawal from Paris Climate Accord. Called on Gov Snyder to join U.S. Climate Alliance. Create state Office of Climate Change.

Q: Government support for renewable energy?

Bill Schuette (R): No. Opposed 2012 initiative to require 25% of electricity production from renewables by 2025.

Gretchen Whitmer (D): Yes. Strong support for renewables.

Bill Schuette: Joins lawsuit challenging Obama's Clean Power Plan

The Clean Power Plan requires states to get at least 28% of their electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar. It seeks a 32% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

States have challenged the plan in the U.S. Court of Appeals, arguing it would drive up electricity rates paid by consumers. In an August statement, Schuette said: "I am deeply concerned by yet another executive action taken by President Obama and the EPA that violates the Clean Air Act and causes the price of electricity to increase, placing jobs at risk and costing Michigan families more," he said.

Abdul El-Sayed: Electric user fee raises $3.3B for clean energy in 15 years

As governor, El-Sayed would look to bonding for $600 million and divert $14 million from the Michigan Department of Corrections to pay for initial investment in water infrastructure systems; a user fee of 0.01 cents per kilowatt hour to raise $105 million for clean energy each year, which he contends could be used to leverage $3.3 billion in additional investment over 15 years; paying for roads through a 1.5 cents-per-mile vehicle mileage tax and taxing marijuana if it becomes legal in Michigan, to raise more than $1.6 billion per year for maintenance and transit.

Abdul El-Sayed: Green energy a priority

Marcia Squier: Green energy is intertwined with job creation and education

A: Strongly support.

Q: You posted on Facebook on July 13 that you would fund renewables by "reappropriating military funding," but included a panoply of other spending items from the same source. How will renewables get funded in comparison to (and in competition with) all of those other spending items? Similarly, you responded to the 2016 Michigan VotersGuide question on job creation that you would "concentrate. efforts in renewable energy," along with another long list of other programs to concentrate on. If you "concentrate" on a long list of programs, how do you "prioritize" green energy over the rest of the programs?

A: Expanding the green energy industry will create jobs. But first, we need an educated workforce that can handle the growing industry. I believe that all of these things are intertwined, and therefore must all happen--somewhat simultaneously or in quick succession.

Marcia Squier: Fund renewables by defunding the military

Rick Snyder: Protect our environment while meeting our energy needs

Marcia Squier: Green New Deal & fossil fuel-free vehicles by 2030

A: I believe that the U.S. should concentrate its job creation efforts in renewable energy, infrastructure improvements, education, and health care. The people of this nation and elsewhere are unhealthy and under-educated. The conditions in which a vast majority of us live are deteriorating rapidly. We need to heal ourselves, and the environment in which we all live, in order for there to be prosperity and peace. I support the Green New Deal, which will provide an emergency jobs program, providing livable wages to tens of millions of people. I believe that all vehicle manufacturers, should become fossil fuel-free by 2030, as we move towards exclusively using renewable energy like solar and wind power. I would offer incentives to those who achieve that goal early, including companies, as well as cities, counties, states, and even other countries (who abide by international human rights laws).

Bernie Sanders: I oppose fracking; anyone who says it is safe is wrong

SANDERS: My answer--my answer is a lot shorter. No, I do not support fracking.

CLINTON: #1, I don't support it when any locality or any state is against it. #2, I don't support it when the release of methane or contamination of water is present. I don't support it, #3, unless we can require that anybody who fracks has to tell us exactly what chemicals they are using.

Q [to Sanders]: A number of Democratic governors say that fracking can be done safely, and that it's helping their economies. Are they wrong?

SANDERS: Yes. Secretary Clinton has the support of all the Democratic governors. I am not part of that establishment. I am a member of the Environmental Committee. And I talk to scientists who tell me that fracking is doing terrible things to water systems. We have gotta be bold now. We gotta transform our energy system to energy efficiency and sustainable energy. We've gotta do it yesterday.

Hillary Clinton: I support fracking if environmental protections are all met

CLINTON: #1, I don't support it when any locality or any state is against it. #2, I don't support it when the release of methane or contamination of water is present. I don't support it, #3, unless we can require that anybody who fracks has to tell us exactly what chemicals they are using. So by the time we get through all of my conditions, I do not think there will be many places where fracking will continue to take place. And I think that's the best approach, because right now, there places where fracking is going on that are not sufficiently regulated. So first, we've got to regulate everything that is currently underway, and we have to have a system in place that prevents further fracking unless conditions like the ones that I just mentioned are met.

SANDERS: Scientists tell me that fracking is doing terrible things to water systems all over this country. Those who say fracking can be done safely are wrong.

Mike Bishop: Don't use government to develop wind and solar energy

Bishop: Strongly Disagree

Gary Peters: AdWatch: Yes, I own petcoke stock, but I can still speak out

VOICEOVER: Whose side is Congressman Gary Peters on?
Peters says "yes" to petcoke, and has a $20,000 investment in a company that produces petcoke.
Peters says "no" to petcoke, and his campaign is receiving $2.5 million in help from billionaire environmentalist, Tom Steyer.
Steyer wants to block American energy projects like Keystone Pipeline, and is spending millions to attack Terri Lynn Land on--you guessed it--petcoke. Peters wants to make money with a petcoke producer, and take money from a petcoke opponent. Now, he claims it's no big deal:
PETERS: "Even though I own a little bit of stock in a company, that doesn't stop me from speaking out."
VOICEOVER: For Congressman Peters $20,000 is a little bit of stock--and more than a little hypocrisy.

Gary Peters: Proudly voted to invest in renewable energy sources

Steyer, a former hedge fund manager turned green evangelist, says he plans to raise up to $100 million during the midterm elections for candidates who stand strong on climate change. Steyer's NextGen Climate Action is pouring $2.6 million to support Gary Peters.

Studies show that cap and trade would have killed Michigan jobs. In supporting cap and trade, Peters "proudly" stands by what would have been the biggest tax in American history: his congressional website says he "proudly voted for" the Waxman-Markey bill, more commonly referred to as cap and trade legislation. "In 2009, I proudly voted for the American Clean Energy and Security Act to invest in renewable energy sources, reduce America's greenhouse gas emissions and lay the groundwork for a clean energy economy."

Gary Peters: Cap and trade is an option we need to look at

HOST [of a radio call-in show in August]: "Congressman, are you a cap and trade fan?"

PETERS: "I think cap and trade is an option we need to look at. It has been successful in other areas. We saw that in acid rain, when we had to mitigate acid rain, a cap and trade program actually reduced acid rain emissions while doing it in a very cost effective way. You've seen some programs similar to that in New England now, actually when it comes to carbon emissions, that have reduced carbon emissions while the New England economy is doing very well. So it's certainly something on the table that we have to take a look at as we reduce carbon emissions. But there is not a specific proposal before us right now to comment, but I think it's important to make sure we are looking at all of the market based solutions."

Gary Peters: FactCheck: Mich. gets back more in gas tax than it collects

That sure makes it seem like Michigan is getting back less in highway funding than its residents pay in gasoline taxes. But in 2012, Michigan received $1.03 in highway funding for every $1 in federal highway gasoline taxes collected in the state. Michigan's return on investment was even better in 2010, when the state received $1.30 in highway funding for every $1 it collected; and $1.20 for every $1 in 2011.

There is a caveat, however. The federal dollars "cannot be used for routine maintenance such as filling potholes or removing snow." Land's ad specifically shows images of potholes, and it's true that the state cannot spend federal money to fix them. Every state tacks on its own gasoline tax, which can be used on routine maintenance.

Rick Wade: $8B for new nuclear plants; plus offshore oil & gas drilling

For the first time in three decades, we've greenlighted the construction of new nuclear power plants. A few weeks ago, the president announced $8 billion in loan guarantees for nuclear reactors in Georgia. There will be more to come.

We have opened up areas off the Atlantic seaboard and in the Gulf of Mexico for responsible exploration for oil and gas.

And we continue to push for comprehensive energy legislation that will put a price on carbon and send a signal to every entrepreneur in this country that clean energy can be the profitable kind of energy over the long-term.

Rick Wade: Too many clean energy investors sit on the sidelines

Jack Hoogendyk: Expand oil production and expand nuclear energy

• We should remove all subsidies for oil production and open up domestic oil fields for drilling and further exploration in a way that protects the environment.
• We need to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil.
• I support expansion of nuclear energy.

Fred Thompson: Get ethanol market up, then let free market take over

A: Ultimately it will be the free market. But I think that we’re in a situation now where we’ve got to use everything that’s available to us. I think renewables and alternatives are a part of that picture. I don’t look for it to last forever. When the industry gets up and running and on its feet again, I don’t see the need for what we’re doing now.

John McCain: Climate change is real; nuclear power is solution

John McCain: Public pressure on oil industry to invest in alternatives

A: I would hope that they would use those profits to further the cause of alternate energy, nuclear power, a lot of other ways that we have to employ in order to eliminate our dependence on foreign oil.

Q: Do you support drilling/exploration off the coasts of Florida and California? A: I wouldn’t drill off the coast of Florida unless the people of Florida wanted to. And I wouldn’t drill off the coast of California unless the people of California wanted to, and I wouldn’t drill in the Grand Canyon unless the people in Arizona wanted to.

Q: But you wouldn’t require the oil industry to use its profits to help pursue alternative energy?

A: I would not require them to. But I think that public pressure and a lot of other things, including a national security requirement that we reduce and eliminate our dependence on foreign oil.

Mike Huckabee: Ethanol & biofuels are part of future energy

A: I think ethanol and all biofuels are going to be an important part of the future energy needs of the country, but the accelerated pace at which we get there is critical for national security as well as for our own economic interest. We’ve got to come to the place where everything is on the table--nuclear, biofuels, ethanol, wind, solar--any and everything this country can produce. We once had a president who said, “Let’s go to the moon in 10 years,” and we were there in eight. And we did that when we started with a technology of bottle rockets when we got the thing launched. And we all saw that we can do it.

Mitt Romney: Develop energy technology like nuclear or liquefied coal

Rudy Giuliani: Don’t draw the line anywhere--advance all technologies

A: I think Iran would be a lot more of a paper tiger if we were more energy independent. You could go on into a lot of examples like that. This is a matter of national security. You’ve got to support all the alternatives. There’s no magic bullet here--biofuels, nuclear power. We haven’t licensed a nuclear power plant in 30 years. We haven’t had a new refinery in 30 years. We’re on hold. Hydroelectric power, solar power, wind power, conservation-- we have to support all of these things. The president has to treat this like putting a man on the moon.

Q: But where do you draw the line? Do you support drilling off the coast of Florida, California?

A: You don’t draw the line anywhere. What you do is you work with people to try to advance all of these technologies. Long-term damage to our environment would be a mistake, that would be an overreaction. You have to make sound judgments, and you have to advance these new technologies.

Sam Brownback: Energy security: drill every place you can find resources

Q: On the issue of exploration, you said yes to the coast of Florida, and you say yes to ANWR?

A: I voted yes for ANWR, and I would support those in other places, environmentally sound. We have to do it in environmentally sound fashion.

Tom Tancredo: Drill off the coasts of Florida and California

Debbie Stabenow: Global Warming is real and I’m focused on solving it

BOUCHARD: Yes, there’s conflicting reports. We could be in a position to lead away from fossil fuels. She filibustered the comprehensive energy package in Congress. We need someone who will lead on that - she hasn’t. She has only one bill authored -- to rename a federal building. I wrote legislation to close incinerators while in the S state Senate.

STABENOW: Global Warming is real and I’m focused on solving it. I cite nineteen provisions which I authored, many bi-partisan. Global Warming is too important for partisan politics. I supported the energy bill from two years ago -- it created real energy boom in Michigan. We have strong agriculture, and ability to tell world to buy fuel here in Michigan instead of Middle East.

Mike Bouchard: Conflicted on whether global warming is from human sources

BOUCHARD: Yes, there’s conflicting reports. We could be in a position to lead away from fossil fuels. She filibustered the comprehensive energy package in Congress. We need someone who will lead on that - she hasn’t. She has only one bill authored -- to rename a federal building. I wrote legislation to close incinerators while in the S state Senate.

STABENOW: Global Warming is real and I’m focused on solving it. I cite nineteen provisions which I authored, many bi-partisan. Global Warming is too important for partisan politics. I supported the energy bill from two years ago -- it created real energy boom in Michigan. We have strong agriculture, and ability to tell world to buy fuel here in Michigan instead of Middle East.

Mike Bouchard: Kyoto agreement is restrictive & extraordinarily expensive

A good example is the imposition of restrictions on greenhouse gasses in conformity with the Kyoto agreement. Complying with these restrictions would be extraordinarily expensive, costing thousands of jobs. Because many of our competitors are not going to comply, we’d become even less competitive than we are now. Finally, the amount of carbon dioxide that would be released into the atmosphere will be almost the same over the next century, regardles of whether Kyoto is implemented.

In short, the costs would be tremendous, while the benefits would be negligible! Michigan’s Sen. Carl Levin voted against imposing these regulations on US companies. Sen. Stabenow, however, voted in favor of them.

Mike Bouchard: Supports atomic energy & new nuclear plant construction

Gretchen Whitmer: Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology

Whitmer indicates support of the following principles concerning environment and energy.
• Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
• Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused, or abandoned.
• Support funding for open space preservation.
• Enact environmental regulations even if they are stricter than federal law.
• Prohibit the hunting of mourning doves in Michigan.