Rick Scott on Energy & Oil

Address climate change impact without killing the economy

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D): Yes. "Climate change is real... impacting Floridians, their lives, and their property." Will act to address it. Has supported building smart power grids, upgrading buildings for maximum efficiency, removing greenhouse gases from transportation and agricultural sectors, and strengthening building codes to withstand future storms.

Rick Scott (R): No. As governor, rolled back climate change initiatives. State employees said his administration banned them from using the term "climate change." In 2021 said it is real; would focus on addressing impacts without killing the economy. Opposed both Biden's $369 billion clean energy investment and rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement.

I'm not a scientist, so I have no proposal on climate change

Scott's campaign on didn't directly answer questions about whether the governor believes climate change exists and whether humans are causing or contributing to it. "Charlie Crist may have perfected the art of publicity stunts, but his record on the environment is one of empty promises," the Scott campaign communication director said. "While Rick Scott has kept his commitments to restoring the Everglades, safeguarding our springs and protecting the Florida Keys, Charlie Crist was more committed to advancing his own political career."

Repeal Florida's cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gases

The Florida Climate Protection Act:
• Repeals "Section 403.44 Florida Statutes" relating to a cap-and-trade regulatory program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electric utilities.
• Section 403.44 Florida Statutes includes the following:
• Pursue a market-based emissions abatement program, such as cap and trade, to address greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
• The department may adopt rules for a cap-and-trade regulatory program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from major emitters.
• "Cap and trade" or "emissions trading" means an administrative approach used to control pollution by providing a limit on total allowable emissions, and providing for the transfer of the allowances as a means of compliance with emission limits.

Status:Bill passed House, 82-34-3; passed Senate, 31-5-4; approved by Governor, March 8,2012.

Signed the No Climate Tax Pledge by AFP.

No Climate Tax Pledge: `I pledge to the taxpayers of my state, and to the American people, that I will oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue.`

Sponsoring organizations: Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEU); National Taxpayers Union (NTU); Institute for Liberty Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen-leaders committed to advancing every individual`s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and intrusiveness of government is the best way to promote individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans.

Cap-and-trade has no impact on global temperatures.

The Contract from America, clause 2. Reject Cap & Trade:

Stop costly new regulations that would increase unemployment, raise consumer prices, and weaken the nation's global competitiveness with virtually no impact on global temperatures.

Explore proven energy reserves & keep energy prices low.

The Contract from America, clause 8. Pass an `All-of-the-Above` Energy Policy:

Authorize the exploration of proven energy reserves to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources from unstable countries and reduce regulatory barriers, [to keep energy prices low].

Letter to Congress supporting renewable energy tax credit.

Congressional Summary:Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2016 the tax credit for electricity produced from wind, biomass, geothermal or solar energy, landfill gas, trash, hydropower, and marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy facilities.

Proponent`s Comments (Governor`s Wind Energy Coalition letter of Nov. 15, 2011 signed by 23 governors):Although the tax credit for wind energy has long enjoyed bipartisan support, it is scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2012. Wind-related manufacturing is beginning to slow in our states because the credit has not yet been extended. If Congress pursues a last minute approach to the extension, the anticipated interruption of the credit`s benefits will result in a significant loss of high-paying jobs in a growing sector of the economy. We strongly urge Congress to adopt a more consistent and longer-term federal tax policy to support wind energy development, such as H.R. 3307.

The leading wind project developers and manufacturers are slowing their plans for 2013 and beyond due to the current uncertainty. The ripple effect of this slow down means reduced orders for turbines and decreased business for the hundreds of manufacturers who have entered the wind industry in our states. When Congress allowed the tax credit to expire in 1999, 2001, and 2003, the development of new wind installations dropped significantly, between 73% and 93%, and thousands of jobs were lost. Providing renewable energy tax credits in order to provide consistency with conventional energy tax credits is the right policy to move the nation forward in an energy sector that offers global export opportunities and the ability to modernize a segment of our electric production infrastructure.