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John Cornyn on Energy & Oil

Republican Jr Senator (TX)

 


Drill in Alaska; oppose global warming treaties

The events of September 11 have highlighted the necessity of reducing American dependence on foreign energy supplies. Cornyn will push for new energy exploration, including in Alaska and other areas, while ensuring proper environmental safeguards with the newest, cleanest technology. To combat global warming, he will support research into cleaner energy production and conservation, while opposing treaties that discriminate against US economic interests.
Source: 2002 Senate campaign website, www.JohnCornyn.com, "Issues" , Jun 20, 2002

Rated 17% by the CAF, indicating opposition to energy independence.

Cornyn scores 17% by CAF on energy issues

OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2005-2006 CAF scores as follows:

About the CAF (from their website, www.ourfuture.org):

The Campaign for America`s Future (CAF) is a center for ideas and action that works to build an enduring majority for progressive change. The Campaign advances a progressive economic agenda and a vision of the future that works for the many, not simply the few. The Campaign is leading the fight for America`s priorities--against privatization of Social Security, for investment in energy independence, good jobs and a sustainable economy, for an ethical and accountable Congress and for high quality public education.

About the CAF report, `Energy Independence: Record vs. Rhetoric`:

Energy independence has surfaced as a defining issue in the current elections. Are most candidates and both parties truly committed? To help distinguish the demonstrated level of support for homegrown, clean energy alternatives, we examined the voting records of current U.S. Representatives and Senators on bills vital to promoting those interests. Key pieces of legislation included goals for independence, and subsidies for the development of alternatives compared to subsidies for drilling and digging. We then compared votes on these issues with campaign contributions from major oil interests. The results show strong inverse correlations between political contributions from big oil and votes for energy independence.

Source: CAF "Energy Independence" Report 06n-CAF on Dec 31, 2006

Open the Outer Continental Shelf for oil & gas leasing.

Cornyn co-sponsored opening the Outer Continental Shelf for oil & gas leasing

A bill to address record high gas prices at the pump, and for other purposes. The Gas Price Reduction Act amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to prescribe procedures for petition, by the governor of a state with a new producing area within the offshore administrative boundaries beyond the state`s submerged land, to make the new producing area available for oil and gas leasing.

Repeals the prohibition against funding: (1) regulations regarding a commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public lands; or (2) an oil shale lease sale.

  • Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) expand and accelerate research and development efforts for advanced batteries; and (2) implement a direct loan program for up to 30% of the costs of advanced battery production.
  • Expresses the sense of the Senate that the federal government should implement policies to increase federal purchases of plug-in electric drive vehicles.
  • Report to Congress on the international regime for regulating trading in energy commodity futures and derivatives.
    Source: Gas Price Reduction Act (S.3202) 08-S3202 on Jun 26, 2008

    Let states lease energy rights on federal lands.

    Cornyn co-sponsored Federal Land Freedom Act

    Congressional Summary:Authorizes a state to establish a program covering the leasing and permitting processes, regulatory requirements, and any other provisions by which the state would exercise its rights to develop all forms of energy resources on available federal land in the state.

    Proponent`s argument for bill: (The Heritage Foundation): This important piece of legislation would allow state control of energy resources on federal lands. America has harnessed technological advances in recent years in drilling and extracting energy resources that have caused a surge in domestic oil and gas in several areas of the country. Most of that production has occurred on private and state-owned lands, not federal lands where output has been on decline. The benefits of transferring power to the states over their own energy decisions: States have an interest in both boosting their economies by tapping into the energy resources available to them and protecting the environment. More importantly, they are best suited to fulfill these two goals, not the federal government.

    Opponent`s argument against bill:(The Wilderness Society): Oil and gas development can do serious damage to wildlands and waters, especially when it takes place in sensitive areas. The federal government began leasing public lands for energy development in 1920. We see energy development as a valid use of some public lands, but there are some wild places that must be protected. We work to ensure that the most stringent environmental precautions are applied when oil and gas development occurs on our public lands and that development does not happen in fragile wild areas. The Wilderness Society also makes sure that our most ecologically sensitive areas, such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, remain permanently off limits to oil and gas companies.

    Source: H.R.2511/S.1233 13-S1233 on Jun 26, 2013

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