Washington Senate Debate: on Energy & Oil

Bruce Braley: Supported Keystone Pipeline initially, then rejected it

Joni Ernst: Drives hybrid car, but doubts climate change is man-made

Joni Ernst: Meeting with Big Oil doesn't make me feel uncomfortable

While ExxonMobil and API oppose the mandate, which requires refiners to mix a set amount of ethanol and other biofuels into the nation's fuel supply, Ernst is quoted in a clip stating the meeting with industry didn't make her "feel uncomfortable."

The ad scolds Ernst for "her big oil backers," which NextGen claims are "trying to gut Iowa renewables."

While the ad blasts Ernst for being against the renewable fuel standard, Steyer has criticized ethanol in the past. In an interview in 2010, Steyer said ethanol was not the way to go. NextGen also has routinely criticized any expansion of fossil fuels, and continued use of them in order to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Maria Cantwell: Climate change is happening but unclear if manmade

Cantwell said rising temperatures could affect energy prices in Washington state. "I want us to diversify off fossil fuels," she said. "We need a process to protect consumers of the future." She said she's confident a green energy economy can help create jobs.

Michael Baumgartner: One-cent gas tax to pay for veterans' services

Michael Baumgartner: Climate change is happening but unclear if manmade

Cantwell said rising temperatures could affect energy prices in Washington state. "I want us to diversify off fossil fuels," she said. "We need a process to protect consumers of the future." She said she's confident a green energy economy can help create jobs.

Chuck Grassley: Biodiesel is not controversial, unlike ethanol

"There's not controversy about biodiesel," Grassley said, saying that nearly everyone sees its value, unlike ethanol.

Conlin mentioned that Grassley voted against bills that would have provided for an extended tax credit. The credit was attached to a bill for unemployment workers. "So concerned was Sen. Grassley about not helping those out of work that he voted against the biodiesel tax credit," she said.

Grassley said a number of provisions regarding the tax issues [extending the biodiesel credit] would pass easily, perhaps even unanimously, if they were standalone bills. However, attaching them to other bills makes them bad pieces of legislation.

Roxanne Conlin: Grassley voted against extending biodiesel tax credit

"There's not controversy about biodiesel," Grassley said, saying that nearly everyone sees its value, unlike ethanol.

Conlin mentioned that Grassley voted against bills that would have provided for an extended tax credit. The credit was attached to a bill for unemployment workers. "So concerned was Sen. Grassley about not helping those out of work that he voted against the biodiesel tax credit," she said.

Grassley said a number of provisions regarding the tax issues [extending the biodiesel credit] would pass easily, perhaps even unanimously, if they were standalone bills. However, attaching them to other bills makes them bad pieces of legislation.

Christopher Reed: Drill for more American oil to reduce gas prices

Reed said domestic oil sources would help in the meantime while alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power are developed into a more viable means of energy. Reed also urged energy conservation, but said that should come from individual responsibility, not from a government mandate.

In contrast, Harkin argued drilling on the intercontinental shelf is expensive and would do little to immediately bring down oil prices. Instead, he argued for developing technologies such as an electric-powered car and cellulosic ethanol in addition to developing wind and solar energy. “We need an energy program that doesn’t just chase the last barrel of oil,” Harkin said.

Tom Harkin: Develop cellulosic ethanol, wind, and solar

Reed said domestic oil sources would help in the meantime while alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power are developed into a more viable means of energy. Reed also urged energy conservation, but said that should come from individual responsibility, not from a government mandate.

In contrast, Harkin argued drilling on the intercontinental shelf is expensive and would do little to immediately bring down oil prices. Instead, he argued for developing technologies such as an electric-powered car and cellulosic ethanol in addition to developing wind and solar energy. “We need an energy program that doesn’t just chase the last barrel of oil,” Harkin said.