Charlie Crist on Energy & Oil Republican

I'm not a scientists, but I can use my brain & talk to one

"I'm not a scientist either but I can use my brain and I can talk to one," said Crist, arriving for a 25-minute presentation by Professor Jeff Chanton of the Florida State University Earth and Atmospheric Science Department. A consequence of global warming is rising sea levels. Billions of dollars of Florida real estate and roads are at risk as the sea moves inland. [Prof. Chanton estimates 17 inches sea level rise].

Reduce climate change by doing things we should do anyway

I didn't only read about climate change and discuss it with my friends. I led by example. In April I ordered an energy audit at the Governor's Mansion and outfitted the place with high-efficiency lightbulbs and a Heliocol solar heater for the outdoor swimming pool. I also got a new car: an ethanol-fueled Chevy Tahoe. There was only one ethanol station in Tallahassee, but the effort was worth it, I thought.

BP oil spill made me oppose offshore oil drilling

As soon as I returned to the Capitol, I called the Florida National Guard. "Do whatever you can to keep that oil spill from coming up on the beaches of the Panhandle."

Instituted state cap-and-trade by Executive Order

When we ran against each other a couple of years later, in an effort to convince Republican voters he was the more conservative candidate, Crist falsely claimed I had supported cap and trade. But I didn't support cap and trade.

Open to cap-and-trade plan for carbon emissions

$200M package for solar, wind, & biofuel from citrus

Propose almost $70 million on alternative energy development

Supports renewable energy tax credits.

The Christian Coalition voter guide [is] one of the most powerful tools Christians have ever had to impact our society during elections. This simple tool has helped educate tens of millions of citizens across this nation as to where candidates for public office stand on key faith and family issues.

The CC survey summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: "Tax credits for investment in renewable sources of energy, (such as wind, solar & biomass)"

Voted YES to assist rural electric renewable energy.

Congressional Summary:This bill requires the Department of Energy to award grants to assist rural electric cooperatives with identifying, evaluating, and designing energy storage and microgrid projects that rely on renewable energy. (A microgrid is a group of interconnected energy resources that acts as a single controllable entity and that can disconnect from the grid to operate in island mode.)

SciPol statement in support: HR4447 would establish a microgrid grant and technical assistance program for rural electric cooperatives. Rural electric cooperatives are non-profit consumer-owned electric cooperatives that came into being in the 1930s to serve the needs of rural areas otherwise ignored by investor-owned (for-profit) utilities. Most rural electric power is still provided by rural electric co-ops.

Trump's Statement of Administration Policy (against): HR 4447 would implement a top-down approach that undermines the Administration's deregulatory agenda. HR 4447 would lead to higher energy costs and discourage innovation. It would create a "green bank" that would subsidize projects similar to wellknown failures like Solyndra. Finally, HR 4447 would interfere with our own energy destiny free from the reins of the Paris Climate Accord and international organizations that ignore the clear lessons that have led to American energy independence.

Common Dreams (against): Over 100 groups--including major environmental, climate and progressive organizations--oppose HR 4447. The heaviest burdens of the climate crisis fall on low-income communities and communities of color. "We applaud the environmental justice measures in this bill, but cannot support legislation that extends our country's reliance upon fossil fuels," said the Executive Director of the Progressive Democrats of America.

Legislative outcome: Passed House 220-185-24, Roll #206 on Sep. 24, 2020.