Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) says that we should allow research and the market, not politicians, to decide which type of new energy is preferred (0:16).

 

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Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) says that energy and climate change legislation is not just about energy security or cleaning up the environment, but is also about keeping and creating jobs in America (0:31).

 

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By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

The energy and climate debate is making its way to the Senate, just two legislative days after the House passed the Waxman-Markey energy bill. The Committee on Environment and Public Works heard from White House and other government officials Tuesday. They highlighted the importance of making the U.S. a leader in the clean energy market, reducing the effects of global warming, and creating new jobs in the process.

“Clean energy is to this decade, and the next, what the Space Race was to the 1950s and ‘60s. America is behind,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. “American businesses need strong incentives and investments now in order for this nation to lead the twenty-first century global economy.”

Other officials present included: Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

Chu said that he applauds the House for passing the clean energy bill and said he looks forward to working with the Senate to pass “comprehensive energy legislation.” He also noted that denial of the climate change problem will not change the outcome but comprehensive legislation that caps and then reduces carbon emissions will.

Committee Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said, “I expect you will hear fierce words of doubt and fear and worse from the other side of the aisle regarding our legislative efforts to move forward with clean energy jobs legislation. This is consistent with a pattern of “No we can’t.” I believe this Committee, when the votes are eventually taken on our bill, will reflect our President’s attitude, which is “Yes, we can, and yes, we will.”

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) agreed that the bill will pass through their committee but he does not believe it will pass on the Senate floor. He said the Senators will have more time to review the many points of the legislation than House members did prior to their June 25 vote.

Gov. Haley Barbour (R-Miss.) also testified Tuesday and stressed the importance of informing the public about the facts of energy policy.

“The gigantic effect of energy policy on American life means Congress should work particularly hard to ensure Americans know the facts about the policies Congress is considering. To the contrary, the House of Representatives added more than 300 pages of its 1200 page energy bill a few hours before it was brought to the floor and passed. That is just the opposite,” said the Governor.

Vice President Joe Biden says a 21st century transportation system will create new jobs, help the environment, and stem new technologies. (0:19)

 

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi discusses the Chinese response to limiting gas emissions and helping with the global climate crisis. Pelosi says that the Chinese government has already begun to develop energy-saving mechanisms but that they will limit their efforts if these hinder sustainable development. (1:06)

 

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Talk Radio News Service’s Washington Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner talks to Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.) about “America’s pocket book, energy, and healthcare.” (8:01)

 

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Senator and Senate Foreign Relations Commmittee Member Bob Corker (R-Tenn.)asks Secretary of State Hillary Clinton a question about the energy issue in Europe. He expresses concern that the U.S. seems more concerned with Europe’s energy security than they do. Clinton explains what she knows about the issue. (1:54)

 

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By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

Energy independence is a must according to United States Representative Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) at his news conference Friday. Stupak introduced revised legislation of the Prevent Unfair Manipulation of Prices (PUMP) Act that will address excessive energy market speculation and regulation of any future carbon derivatives markets.

“We need the 2009 PUMP Act for two reasons. Number one, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the price of oil and natural gas since the beginning of the year. Secondly, the carbon derivative trading market that’s being proposed…is creating a whole new market,” said Stupak.

The update and revised PUMP Act addresses more current carbon issues and gives the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) the authority to regulate carbon derivates as an energy commodity. It will also aid in closing the swaps, involving energy transactions loophole, which will eliminate energy transactions to be excluded from the requirements of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Next week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will consider the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The Act will create “an entirely new carbon derivatives market which speculators can manipulate,” according to Congressman Stupak’s office.

Stupak said the carbon derivatives market needs to be “based on a strong regulatory framework.” He also noted that despite the fact that energy costs are down significantly from this time last year, America can not become complacent.”

“I am tired of waiting. We should get it done. I don’t want to create a market and then try to fix the market once it’s functioning. Let’s fix it. Let’s get it frame worked before the market begins,” he said.

By Kayleigh Harvey – Talk Radio News Service

At a press conference today the Republican Study Committee and Western Caucus introduced their alternative energy proposal, The American Energy and Innovation Act.

Congressman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) said there were now “two roads” Americans could chose to tackle energy needs. “The Democrat road is saying it can’t work we are not even going to it, our road is saying we have the ideas now is the time to do it, said Bishop.

Adding that “The Democrats have already given us an option on energy issues that will cost individuals up to $3000…the Republican road we want to go down is one that actually grows our energy supply so that no-one is harmed and in fact we have the chance to reduce the cost of energy.”

Bishop compared the two strategies to the movie ‘Back to the Future’ saying, “Remember those sequels to ‘Back to the Future’ where there were the two worlds? Our world is the one where the McFly family is happy, the Democrat version is the one where Biff runs everything.”

 

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By Kayleigh Harvey – Talk Radio News Service

“Innovation, conservation and production,” were the key messages coming from the Republican Study Committee and the Western Caucus as Congressional Republicans unveiled their alternative energy proposal today.

Congressman Tom Price (R-Ga.) said, “Republican are wholly committed to finding positive solution to the challenges we face. Like with the stimulus, like with the budget and now in contrast to the Democrats national energy tax we are here to offer our vision.”

The American Energy and Innovation Act, as the proposal will be labeled, will create jobs and reduce debt according to Republicans. The main aims outlined in this bill are to, “encourage innovation” by creating renewable fuel options and environmental jobs. “Promote conservation” by “providing incentives for easing energy demand and creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment” and “increase production” by making use of all available technology and resources.

Congressman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) said there were now “two roads” Americans could chose to tackle energy needs. “The Democrat road is saying it can’t work we are not even going to it, our road is saying we have the ideas now is the time to do it, said Bishop.

Adding that “The Democrats have already given us an option on energy issues that will cost individuals up to $3000…the Republican road we want to go down is one that actually grows our energy supply so that no-one is harmed and in fact we have the chance to reduce the cost of energy.”

Bishop compared the two strategies to the movie ‘Back to the Future’ saying, “Remember those sequels to ‘Back to the Future’ where there were the two worlds? Our world is the one where the McFly family is happy, the Democrat version is the one where Biff runs everything.”

Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said the bill would be a “common sense act that is going to use our natural resources and our advanced technology to meet our energy needs and most importantly help our economy grow.”

In closing, Congressman John Fleming (R-La.) added, our vision “creates a vision for jobs, more jobs, not the so called paper mache jobs the green jobs, but real jobs created by industry.”