Al Franken on Energy & Oil DFL Jr Senator (MN)

Delay Keystone pipeline; but if built, use American steel

Franken acknowledged that he voted "to not circumvent the regulatory process," but said he also voted for a proposal that would ensure that the Keystone pipeline, if it's built, would be done with American steel, seizing on a comment by McFadden over the summer that he would opt for Chinese steel if that saved taxpayer money.

Said Franken: "Those are Minnesota jobs. I fight for Minnesota jobs. Maybe that's the difference between me and Mr. McFadden. Maybe he sees profits over people."

Tax credits for wind-power, not for oil companies

Turning to Coleman, Franken said: “There was no reason to do that to get wind credits unless you had senators who took money from big oil companies.”

Supports cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gases

A: Yes. Setting up a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gases is a crucial step we need to reduce the overall level of emissions. As a senator, I will fight for legislation to put these limits in place. Conservation, renewable sources of energy, and the development of new green technologies will also be vital. Minnesota businesses are leading the world in renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, and creating jobs in the process.

US failed to lead by refusing to sign onto the Kyoto accords

A: Yes. It is an absolute scandal that we have failed to lead on this issue by refusing to sign onto the Kyoto accords. We have to lead going forward--and we have to make sure we bring China and India with us. Domestic limits on carbon emissions would be a step toward the US doing our part to halt and reverse global warming. We also need a successor agreement to Kyoto in which all of the industrial powers commit to taking action. But we can’t postpone US action until such an international accord is reached. At the same time as we’re working with others to set the agenda for negotiations, we need to take our own urgent steps.

Investing in renewable energy is win-win-win-win-win

1. We’ll dramatically improve our environment.
2. We’ll finally be taking steps to address global warming.
3. We’ll make our nation more secure and less dependent on an uncertain global fuel economy.
4. We’ll revitalize our manufacturing sector. We should be making wind turbines, and we should be putting them up all over Minnesota.
5. We’ll create high-tech, high-paying jobs in conservation and R&D.

Apollo project for renewable energy development

Voted NO on barring EPA from regulating greenhouse gases.

1. Water vapor
2. Carbon dioxide
3. Methane
4. Nitrous oxide
5. Sulfur hexafluoride
6. Hydrofluorocarbons
7. Perfluorocarbons
8. Any other substance subject to, or proposed to be subject to regulation to address climate change.

Proponent's Argument for voting Yes:
[Sen. McConnell, R-KY]: The White House is trying to impose a backdoor national energy tax through the EPA. It is a strange way to respond to rising gas prices. But it is perfectly consistent with the current Energy Secretary's previously stated desire to get gas prices in the US up to where they are in Europe.

Opponent's Argument for voting No:
[Sen. Lautenberg, D-NJ]:We hear the message that has been going around: Let's get rid of the EPA's ability to regulate. Who are they to tell us what businesses can do? Thank goodness that in this democratic society in which we live, there are rules and regulations to keep us as a civilized nation. The Supreme Court and scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency agreed that the Clean Air Act is a tool we must use to stop dangerous pollution. This amendment, it is very clear, favors one group--the business community. The Republican tea party politicians say: "Just ignore the Supreme Court. Ignore the scientists. We know better." They want to reward the polluters by crippling EPA's ability to enforce the Clean Air Act.
Status: Failed 50-50 (3/5

50% clean and carbon free electricity by 2030.

Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should establish a national goal of more than 50 percent clean and carbon free electricity by 2030 for the purposes of avoiding the worst impacts of climate change, growing our economy, increasing our shared prosperity, improving public health, and preserving our national security.

• Whereas failing to act on climate change will have a devastating impact on our Nation's economy, costing us billions of dollars in lost GDP;
• Whereas extreme weather, intensified by climate change, has already cost taxpayers billions of dollars each year in recovery efforts, and this will only continue if climate change is left unaddressed;
• Whereas climate change will have devastating public health implications, including increased asthma attacks and exacerbation of other respiratory diseases, especially in vulnerable populations;
• Whereas inaction on climate change will disproportionately impact communities of color and exacerbate existing economic inequalities;
• Whereas the transition to a clean energy economy is feasible with existing technology;
• Whereas the transition to clean energy will create millions of jobs and will increase our country's GDP and increase disposable household income;

1. Establish a national goal of more than 50 percent clean and carbon free electricity by 2030; and
2. Enact legislation to accelerate the transition to clean energy to meet this goal.