Richard Randall on Energy & Oil
No tax incentives for alternative energy (or anything else)
Q: Your views on tax incentives for alternative energy?A: I oppose government meddling in business - therefore I oppose tax incentives for alternative energy just as I would oppose tax incentives for "whoopie cushion" alternatives.
Source: E-mail exchange with OnTheIssues.org
Oct 17, 2004
Don't drill ANWR-privatize it instead
Q: Your views on drilling ANWR?A: Libertarians oppose creation of new government parks or wilderness and recreation areas. Such parks and areas that already exist should be transferred to non-government ownership. Pending such just transfer,
their operating costs should be borne by their users rather than by taxpayers. Therefore, I would oppose drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) until it was sold to private owners.
Source: E-mail exchange with OnTheIssues.org
Oct 17, 2004
Deregulate energy industry and repeal gas tax
The average Big Oil company makes a profit of only about 4 cents per gallon of gasoline purchased. Government taxes typically account for about 40-50 cents per gallon of gasoline in most states. Repeal this tax, and it would not only help put politicians
on a pork-free diet, but it would reduce gas prices by as much as one-third. In addition, repealing taxes on energy producers would provide necessary capital and increase the profit-motive to develop more economical "alternative energy sources" that
environmentalists crave so badly. Regulation drives up the cost of production, which translates into higher prices for consumers. To the extent that producers are legally restricted from passing along some of the cost, supply declines. Although
some politicians and pundits claim California did deregulate its market in 1996, nothing could be further from the truth. While state legislators did do away with many wholesale restrictions, they imposed brand new price caps on the retail side.
Source: Campaign website, www.lpcocandidates.org/randall/, "Issues"
Oct 14, 2004
No need for a national energy policy
The energy market is starting to react to the energy shortage, and the construction of power plants is booming. Again, it is important to remember that energy is a commodity, like any other. There is no need for a "national energy policy"-as both
Republicans and Democrats seem to believe-any more than there is a need for a "national asparagus policy.". The free market has shown us that if left to its own devices, it always delivers the goods. It can do so again with energy, if given the chance.
Source: Campaign website, www.lpcocandidates.org/randall/, "Issues"
Oct 14, 2004