Past and present Senate candidates from Michigan: on Energy & Oil

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.

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

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.

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.