Ted Strickland on Energy & Oil Democratic Governor; previously Representative (OH-6)

Tackle the challenge of catastrophic climate change

Ted Strickland: As governor, I was proud to put in place a groundbreaking clean energy bill that helped create 25,000 jobs, helped Ohioans save $1 billion on energy bills and tackled the challenge of catastrophic climate change. I believe we must bring these same values to setting our national energy policy: we need to expand domestic clean energy production that will help create jobs; tackle the challenge of catastrophic climate change; and encourage research, innovation and new technologies that will help America use and create energy affordably and efficiently. And we can do this while at the same time revitalizing communities in Appalachia that have been hurt by changing forces in the energy market.

Stay out of Keystone XL discussions; it doesn't involve Ohio

"Ohio's current Senators have already voted on Keystone XL. Those seeking the position need to take a stand. I'm strongly opposed," Sittenfeld said on social media.

Rated 67% by CAF, indicating a mixed record on 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.