Lindsey Graham on Energy & Oil Republican Sr Senator; previously Representative (SC-3)

Green New Deal is crazy; would destroy economy

Harrison: I think the Green New Deal is too expensive. It's become too partisan. We've got to figure a way, though, because we have to dramatically reduce carbon emissions. That is something that all of the scientists have said.

Graham: I oppose the Green New Deal, because it's crazy. You're trying to eliminate all carbon fuels by 2035. It's multiple trillions of dollars. You're going to do away with cars. You're going to do away with cows in the name of saving the environment. You're going to destroy the economy. Climate change is real. I do believe in private sector solutions. I believe in the government working with the private sector. My solution to the environment is not to destroy the economy.

I'm no scientist, but 90% of them say climate change is real

Stop debating about climate science; debate about solutions

GRAHAM: You can trust me to do the following: that when I get on stage with Hillary Clinton, we won't be debating about the science, we'll be debating about the solutions. In her world, cap-and-trade would dominate, that we will destroy the economy in the name of helping the environment. In my world, we'll focus on energy independence and a clean environment. When it comes to fossil fuels, we're going to find more here and use less. Over time, we're going to become energy independent. I am tired of sending $300 billion overseas to buy oil from people who hate our guts. The choice between a weak economy and a strong environment is a false choice, that is not the choice I'll offer America. A healthy environment, a strong economy and energy independent America--that would be the purpose of my presidency--break the strangle hold that people enjoy on fossil fuels who hate our guts.

Combat climate change without harming the economy

Greenhouse gas is a problem; but EPA shouldn't regulate it

At a press conference to discuss the resolution, several Republicans came together in opposition to EPA's greenhouse gas regime, even Senator Graham who still believed in his heart that man-made greenhouse gases were leading to catastrophe. I was on the other end of the spectrum as the one who said that man-made catastrophic global warming is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people. Everyone else who was standing up there with me and Senator Graham were somewhere in between. But we all agreed on one thing: EPA regulation of greenhouse gases would be a huge disaster. It would hand the agency the greatest regulatory power in industry.

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

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

• 0% - 30%: opposition of energy independence (approx. 206 members)
• 30% - 70%: mixed record on energy independence (approx. 77 members)
• 70%-100%: support for energy independence (approx. 183 members)

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.

Open 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.