Kyrsten Sinema on Energy & Oil

Opposes carbon tax but supports renewable energy

Martha McSally (R): Unclear how serious a threat she considers. Says climate is changing, & that humans have played a role. But also voted to end Defense Dept assessments of climate-related threats to military installations & operations.

Kyrsten Sinema (D): Yes. "Our climate is changing & human activity is contributing." Voted for continued assessment of threat.

Q: Clean Power: Limit or tax production of greenhouse gases?

McSally: No. Opposed Obama Clean Power plan, citing impact on Apache generating station. Voted against the potential carbon tax in 2018.

Sinema: Mixed. Supports limits & opposed condemning Obama Clean Power plan, but raised issues about impact on Apache & opposed potential carbon tax.

Q: Renewable Energy: Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

McSally: Unclear. Supports new technologies, but led by private sector.

Sinema: Yes. Supports government funding to develop renewable energy.

Invest in our solar future

Half of the world's energy will come from renewable resources by 2040. Developing clean energy will boost our economy, reduce the effects of global warming, and make Arizona a better place for all of us. And as the sunniest state in America, Arizona is in the drivers' seat on job-creating solar energy. Sinema advocates investing in our solar future--she helped lead the fight for job-creating solar energy investments in the state legislature and in Washington will push to cut red tape that holds back solar startups and increase investments in this abundant energy source

Supports regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

Project Vote Smart infers candidate issue stances on key topics by summarizing public speeches and public statements. Congressional candidates are given the opportunity to respond in detail; about 11% did so in the 2012 races.

Project Vote Smart summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: 'Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?'

Opposes offshore energy production.

Project Vote Smart infers candidate issue stances on key topics by summarizing public speeches and public statements. Congressional candidates are given the opportunity to respond in detail; about 11% did so in the 2012 races.

Project Vote Smart summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: 'Energy: Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?'

Drill for oil & gas in offshore OCS & Eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Congressional Summary: House amendment to H.R. 5538, the Interior & Environment Agencies Appropriations bill for FY 2017. This amendment would prohibit funds to be used to research, investigate, or study offshore drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

Heritage Foundation recommends voting NO: (7/13/2016): The Gulf of Mexico continues to be a very important asset for our energy future and it continues to produce significant amounts of oil and natural gas. Yet the Eastern Gulf of Mexico has not participated to this point despite its significant potential. A 2014 Heritage Foundation report said: "Excessive regulations and bureaucratic inefficiencies have stymied oil production and prevented the full effects of the energy boom." This amendment would block any potential progress that could take place by preventing the necessary work that would need to be prepared in the East Gulf for potential lease sales and eventual production.

Sierra Club recommends voting YES: (1/12/1974): The Sierra Club believes that no offshore petroleum exploration should occur unless and until the following conditions are met:

• Strengthen the Coastal Zone Management System.
• Lease sales should be prohibited in areas that possess:
  • High seismic activity
  • Fragile or unstable geological structures
  • Proximity to particularly diverse or productive marine ecosystems, or marine sanctuaries
  • Where visual impact of offshore structures would significantly reduce aesthetic values
  • Where the risks are unusually high.
• Petroleum exploration and production must be subject to automatic, heavy fines for all oil spills regardless of cause.
• The Sierra Club opposes leasing of lands beyond 200 meters depth until international agreements [define] ownership of sea floor resources.

Legislative outcome: Failed House 185 to 243 (no Senate vote).