Neel Kashkari on Energy & Oil

Develop the Monterey Shale formation

1. Advocate for the environmentally sound development of the Monterey Shale formation, partnering with industry to ensure that the interests of environmental protection and economic growth work in partnership to serve the people of California.
2. Create an Energy & Environment Jobs Taskforce to identify impediments to the rapid development of this critical sector. Comprised of experts from the energy industry, the environmental sector, and the state government, the Taskforce's mission will be to accelerate the environmentally sound development of California's energy resources to spur rapid job creation in the state. The Taskforce will continue its urgent work until at least 500,000 jobs have been created in the California energy industry with the option to continue, if industry, environmental, and state leaders deem it appropriate in consultation with the governor.

Climate change compelling, but do fracking & Monterey shale

• On AB32, the landmark climate change bill signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: "The science behind climate change is pretty compelling,'' and believes there is a human link. "But this is all about technology. Simply raising the cost of power in California is not efficient."
• On fracking: "I believe it can be done safety. We can explore our states' natural resources in a clean, safe manner. There's a lot of hysteria around fracking that's completely unjustified."
• On Offshore oil drilling: "I'm open to investigating (and the case for exploring) Monterey shale looks "extremely compelling."