Environmental

Donald Trump

Trump's Environmental (section page):

Global Warming

• "This very expensive GLOBAL WARMING bullshit has got to stop. Our planet is freezing, record low temps,and our GW scientists are stuck in ice" - (2014) (DTT)

MarketWatchHuffington Post

Bernie Sanders

Bernie's Environmental (section page)

“In fact, climate change is directly related to the growth of terrorism," (PF)

Bernie seeks to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels by promoting wind and solar energy and placing a tax on carbon pollution. Bernie believes in a 100% clean energy future. He wants to pursue a nuclear free clean energy policy that will decrease dependence on foreign oil, including the following:

• Ban fossil fuel lobbyists from working in the White House.
• Ban Arctic oil drilling and offshore oil drilling.
• Reduce carbon emissions in order to reduce the harmful effects of global warming on the environment.
• Ban fracking, mountaintop coal mining, and all oil or natural gas extraction from American public land.
• Increase fuel economy standards to 65 mpg by 2025.
• Clean-Energy Workforce of 10 million jobs and 100% clean energy system for electricity, heating, and transportation.

(BSWCC)

"Right now, we have an energy policy that is rigged to boost the profits of big oil companies like Exxon, BP, and Shell at the expense of average Americans. CEO’s are raking in record profits while climate change ravages our planet and our people — all because the wealthiest industry in the history of our planet has bribed politicians into complacency in the face of climate change. Enough is enough. It’s time for a political revolution that takes on the fossil fuel billionaires, accelerates our transition to clean energy, and finally puts people before the profits of polluters." - Senator Bernie Sanders (BSWCC)

"I am proud that, along with Senator Barbara Boxer, a few years ago, we introduced the first piece of climate change legislation which called for a tax on carbon." (DD1)

"Bottom line is, we need to be bold and decisive, we can create millions of jobs. We must, for the sake of our kids and grandchildren, transform our energy system away from fossil fuel to energy efficiency and sustainable energy." (DD4)

Chris Christie

Christie | Environmental | (section page)

NJ Gov. Chris Christie said he wants to see more investments in renewable energy come from the private sector. "We worked with the private sector to make solar affordable and available to businesses and individuals in our state," he said during Wednesday's Republican debate. "That's the way we deal with global warming — not through government intervention, not through government taxes, and for God's sake, don't send Washington another dime until they stop wasting the money they are already sending now." New Jersey is among the top 10 states in the country with the most solar energy. Christie said he was also interested in other energy sources, like oil, natural gas and wind. (CNBC)

Mr. Christie is not a climate change denialist: “I think global warming is real,” he said in April. “And I do think human activity contributes to it.” But he withdrew New Jersey from a regional cap-and-trade program intended to limit carbon emissions that cause global warming, and argued last year against unilaterally curbing emissions when people in China are “doing things to the environment that would never be done in our country.” (NYT)

Simplified Quotes

• Ethanol in gasoline is the law; and that's just the minimum. (Mar 2015)
  • Christie speaking in support of the Renewable Fuel Standard at an agriculture summit
• Jersey shore for tourism instead of offshore drilling. (Aug 2011)
  • Full Quote: "New Jersey's beach resources and shore towns are what make the Jersey shore the unique destination it is, and are the reason thousands of visitors return year after year. As stewards of the environment, it is incumbent that we take all necessary measures to protect these treasures and to sustain our coastal communities and the diverse economies they support."

(OTI:E) Full quotes available on source page.

Rand Paul

Paul's Environmental (section page)

Balancing Environmental Safety with Deregulation

"Counteracting excessively burdensome government regulations has become a centerpiece of my tenure in Washington. All my actions seek to find a balance between environmental, safety and health protection, without compromising the ability of family businesses to flourish." (OTI - E)

"Unelected bureaucrats should not have the power to enact regulations that affect the lives of everyday Americans. Whether it's ObamaCare or EPA regulations, cutting red tape and opening the regulatory process to scrutiny is an important step in holding government accountable to all Americans. In the Senate, I proudly introduced the Regulations from the Executive Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. This legislation is designed to increase accountability for and transparency in the Federal regulatory process. As President, I will place common sense and reasonable limitations on a bureaucracy that seeks to target well-intentioned businesses with burdensome regulations." (OTI - E)

"Our federal government regulates everything and anything. How much water goes into you commode. How much water comes out of your shower-head. The temperature of the water in your washing machine. How many miles to the gallon your car must get." (OTI - E)

Criticisms of EPA

Agency's Abuse of 'Wetlands' Term

"The Clean Water Act never even mentioned the term "wetlands" while passing through Congress for approval. The unelected bureaucracy simply created the concept and defines it in distinct terminology dependent upon whatever scenario they are currently considering. "Wetlands" quite literally can mean whatever the EPA wants it to mean." (OTI - E)

"The definition of wetlands has become so absurd and transparent that the Army Corps of Engineers developed the "migratory bird theory." This theory states that if your land is a stopping point for any migratory bird that has traveled between real navigable waters, then your land is now de facto connected to the interstate navigable streams. I'm not kidding. This theory is irrational & completely illogical. How did it ever become enforceable law? It happened because Congress has abdicated its duty in this area. Citizens often run afoul of these rules inadvertently due to the constant evolution of complex and unexplained regulations." (OTI - E)

High Costs of EPA's Regulations

"Since its creation in 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency has done more harm than good. EPA regulations cost more than 5% of our annual gross domestic product (which was over $15 trillion in 2012). This is equivalent to the costs of defense and homeland security combined. Most Americans are unaware of this." (OTI - E)

"Too often our rights are violated by abusive and power-hungry EPA bureaucrats who use threats, coercion, and force to implement power grabs. I wish these instances of abuse were random and the exception, but they have unfortunately come to characterize what many Americans now rightly see as a rogue government agency. EPA regulations have hampered landowners' ability to manage their private property as they please and have seriously impaired job creation. As with the massive cost of the EPA, many Americans are unaware of the routine suffering caused by the overreach of such regulatory agencies."(OTI - E)

EPA's Circumnavigation of Due Process and Judicial Review

[The Sacketts were building their home when the EPA ordered them to stop] "They requested a hearing before the EPA where they could challenge the agency's claim that their property was a wetland. The EPA refused, claiming property owners have no right to a hearing regarding compliance orders. Throughout this waiting process, the daily $75,000 fine continued to accumulate." (OTI - E)

"However, they filed their own lawsuit in federal court, arguing that the Administrative Procedure Act entitled them to a hearing before a judge. Yet the Sixth and Fourth Circuits rejected any possibility of judicial review. Is this not a complete violation of the separation-of-powers principle? These circuit courts essentially handed the EPA free rein over innocent Americans and their private property. Our government was literally telling the Sacketts that in the US, you are free--unless the EPA decides to get involved, at which point your right to due process and private property becomes null and void." (OTI - E)

Voting Record on Other Issues

• Voted NO on protecting ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems.
• Rated 20% by The Humane Society Legislative Fund, indicating an anti-animal welfare voting record.

(OTI - E)

Support of Keystone XL Pipeline

"Washington's bureaucratic regulations, corporate subsidies, and excessive taxation have made it unnecessarily difficult for energy developers to take advantage of new and innovative forms of cheap and clean energy. Cutting the red tape and encouraging energy freedom, new technologies, and discoveries will be a priority in my administration. Like all other sectors of the economy, allowing businesses to compete in a free market will not only produce the most efficient forms of energy, but will also pass along the cost savings to the consumer. I support the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and I have repeatedly voted to allow this project to proceed." (RPW - E)

Ted Cruz

Cruz's Environmental (section page)

Keystone Pipeline

• [We need to] get more jobs by embracing America's energy renaissance. This means passing legislation to make it easier to build energy infrastructure, such as the Keystone pipeline." (USAP)

Climate Change & Related Policies

“Climate change is not science. It's religion"(CNS)

• Does not believe that climate change is backed with scientific evidence (NPR)
• Opposes the Clean Power Act and and sponsored Affordable Reliable Energy Now Act (ARENA) to limit its effects (TCWJ)
• Voted against the Water Resources Act (TCWJ)
• Criticized NASA for spending "too much money" studying climate change and earth science (NATJ)

Energy

• Supports opening more areas for offshore drilling (Reuters)
• Pushes against restrictions on fracking (Reuters)
• Encourages "expanding energy development on federal land" (Reuters)

Ben Carson

Carson's Environmental (section page)

The climate change debate is irrelevant

• Carson is not convinced that global warming is a threat or a proven trend (PBS)
• Believes temperature change is cyclical (PBS)

Says the focus should be on eco-friendly ways of developing the nation's energy resources

• "Our Environmental Protection Agency should be told to work in conjunction with business, industry and universities to find the most eco-friendly ways of developing our energy resources." (Bloomberg)

In favor of Keystone Pipeline

• Carson said the Keystone pipeline should be allowed to be built. "It's perfectly safe, so I can't really see a good reason not to do it." (Bloomberg)

Carly Fiorina

Fiorina's Environmental (section page)

Reinstste the Keystone XL Pipeline

• This would "ensure that the United States is the global energy powerhouse of the 21st century." (CFWEn)

Repeal regulations on fracking

• These limit the "ability to be energy independent by regulating drilling on federal lands." (CFWEn)
• The Environmental Protection Agency needs to "roll back" regulations, said Carly Fiorina at a town hall meeting. "The regulations that the EPA is rolling out now will destroy livelihoods. They will increase the cost of energy," she said. "They will destroy industries." (PTS)
• Fiorina believes the EPA is standing in the way of affordable and reliable electricity. (PTS)

Rick Santorum

Rick's Environmental (section page)

• Open up market access to all forms of domestic fuel production (RSWTR)
• Give states the freedom to choose where they want to explore for oil and natural gas and to set their own regulations for hydrofracking (RSWTR)

In support of the Keystone Pipeline

• Approve the Keystone Pipeline for jobs and energy security (RSWTR)
• In reference to Obama's rejection of Keystone XL "Today's decision by the Obama Administration is another betrayal of the American worker, American manufacturing, and American security. Workers are struggling and our enemies are on the march. More than 15,000 manufacturers and 2 million manufacturing jobs have been lost, jobs that require cheap, secure energy sources. Yet President Obama has decided to again abandon them and our security to appease the fringe environmental Left." (RSWK)

Climate Change is not a real problem

• "The most recent survey of climate scientists said about 57 percent don’t agree with the idea that 95 percent of the change in the climate is being caused by CO2. … There was a survey done of 1,800 scientists, and 57 percent said they don’t buy off on the idea that CO2 is the knob that’s turning the climate. There’s hundreds of reasons the climate’s changing." (PF)

John Kasich

Kasich | Environmental | (section page)

Keep Energy Affordable And Reliable by Pursuing All Sources of Energy:

Diversifying our energy supply is the best strategy for economic growth. Government policies that encourage or discourage energy from any single source are economically counterproductive.

• Increase energy from all sources: More energy from oil and gas, nuclear, coal, alternatives and renewables and emerging technologies will provide the affordable, reliable energy our economy needs.
• Conservation is an energy source: The cheapest, cleanest energy is the energy we never have to produce. Efficiency and conservation are fundamentally conservative strategies for increasing energy supplies and should be pursued.

(JKWE)

Achieve Energy Independence:

Sourcing all our energy from North America and eliminating our reliance on overseas energy makes America safer and stronger.

• Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline: Increasing access to the oil produced along this new pipeline’s route only reduces our need for imported oil.
• Tapping more energy resources from federal land: Increasing access to oil and gas production on our nation’s vast system of non-sensitive public lands, when guided by responsible management plans, supports the goal of energy independence, and can be done safely with proper environmental protections.

(JKWE)

Use Common Sense In Energy Regulation:

Washington assumes authority that does not exist in pursuit of reckless regulations that will kill jobs. John Kasich will bring common sense and science to energy regulation in order to properly balance environmental stewardship and job creation.

• Scrap extreme regulations like the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan: This extreme regulatory proposal will drive needed electrical generation offline before it can be replaced. It will also force costly and unnecessary controls on remaining plants that will drive up electricity costs and make entire economic sectors uncompetitive. It must be scrapped and not replaced. Regulations on energy production which are counterproductive, extreme should be repealed. Paid for by Kasich for America, www.johnkasich.com 2
• Keep fracking regulations at the state level: Most states have strong regulations for hydraulic fracturing, and efforts by Washington to heap extra regulations on the industry would be costly and counterproductive. States that meet quality benchmarks should be allowed to regulate hydraulic fracturing themselves without job-killing federal interference.
• Overturn the ban on U.S. oil exports: Given the increased production of American oil and gas, we can and should end the artificial, counterproductive market distortion of the ban on U.S. oil and gas exports.

(JKWE)

Encourage Research In New Technologies:

Both the economy and environment benefit from technological breakthroughs. High-capacity, long-life batteries; fuel cells; the high-efficiency “smart” electricity grid; clean coal and other technologies can help improve the environment, increase efficiency and conserve energy. Unreasonable barriers to their development should be identified and removed to help make them a reality. (JKWE)

Quotes

Stewardship of the environment is nothing less than a moral obligation -- because God made it and gave it to us to properly manage. It will be part of the bequest we make to our children and grandchildren. We should take care of it. If we intend to provide a better life, and a better world, for future generations, we can’t ignore the quality of the environment we leave them. (Source: Speech to National Environmental Policy Institute, 4/27/9 , Apr 27, 1999)

For nearly 30 years, we have behaved as if protecting the environment was somehow at odds with the economic growth and prosperity that also are so important to us. This is a false and dangerous dichotomy; it forces unnecessary divisions between those who want to protect the environment and those who want economic progress. [We must get past] the “us- versus-them” rhetoric.. Economic progress and environmental conservation can and must go hand in hand for the sake of this generation and the next. (Source: Speech to National Environmental Policy Institute, 4/27/9 , Apr 27, 1999)

Note: These quotes are both from 1999

(OTI:E)

Martin O'Malley

O'Malley's Environmental (section page)

Renewable Energy

• Create a Clean Energy Jobs Corps to partner with communities to become more energy efficient, create new green spaces, and restore and expand forests (MOW-CEF)
• Generate 100% of American electricity with renewable energy by 2050 (MOW-CEF)
• Federal legislation that caps on carbon emissions from all sources, proceeds from permits returned to low- and middle-class families and invested in job transition assistance and Clean Energy Jobs Corps (MOW-CEF)
• Reject projects like Keystone XL and deny new permits for drilling in Alaska, the arctic, and off the coast (MOW-CEF)
• Increase royalties and emissions fees for fossil fuel companies currently drilling on federal land and invest proceeds in jobs and skills training (MOW-CEF)

Carbon Emissions

• Caps or taxes on carbon emissions from all sources, proceeds from permits returned to low- and middle-class families and invested in job transition assistance and Clean Energy Jobs Corps (MOW-CEF)
• Fully implement Clean Power Plan (Ballotpedia)
• Adopt a zero-tolerance policy for methane leaks from current oil and gas production (Ballotpedia)

Marco Rubio

Rubio's Environmental (section page)

Fix Environment with the Free Market

• "We must be willing to embrace the free-market approach--not European-style, big-government mandates." (OTI)

Climate Change

• "I do not believe that human activity is causing these dramatic changes to our climate the way these scientists are portraying it, and I do not believe that the laws that they propose we pass will do anything about it, except it will destroy our economy." (OTI)

Energy Plan

Optimize America’s Resources

• Empower states and tribes to control onshore energy development within their borders (MRWEP)
• Rewrite the Obama administration’s five-year Offshore Drilling Plan (MRWEP)
• Immediately approve the Keystone XL Pipeline (MRWEP)
• Immediately lift the 1970s-era ban on crude exports (MRWEP)
• Expedite approval of American natural gas exports (MRWEP)
• Defend U.S. interests in international climate negotiations (MRWEP)
• Bolster the energy security of U.S. allies (MRWEP)
• Conclude TTIP negotiations without restrictions on access to U.S. energy exports (MRWEP)

Minimize Government Bureaucracy

• Create a national regulatory budget to limit the power of unelected regulators (MRWEP)
• Stop President Obama’s carbon mandates (MRWEP)
• Expose the true costs of environmental litigation to taxpayers (MRWEP)
• Simplify and improve the environmental review process (MRWEP)

Maximize Private Innovation

• Reform higher education system to support energy jobs of the future (MRWEP)
• Facilitate private-sector-led development of new technologies (MRWEP)
• Overhaul the tax code and cut taxes for business of all sizes (MRWEP)

Mike Huckabee

Huckabee's Environmental (section page)

Energy

"We should explore and exploit all forms of domestically produced energy — oil, gas, wind, solar, bio-fuels, hydro-electric, nuclear, coal — anything and everything."(MHWE)

• push for energy independence
• support Keystone Pipeline

Hillary Clinton

Clinton's Environmental (section page):

• "I do believe that the green-collar job piece of [the economic stimulus package] is important. That’s why I have $5 billion to do it." (DD 2008)

Jeb Bush

Bush's Environmental (section page)

On the role that renewable energy sources should play

"I support an approach that uses diverse sources—such as wind, solar, other renewables, nuclear, natural gas and coal—for this country’s energy needs. Power generation should reflect, as much as possible, the diverse attributes and needs of states and their citizens. The federal government should not be dictating what types of power should be used where."(BB)

Reduce Environmental Regulation

"Energy resources must be developed in a way that protects human health and the environment. Rules play an important role in making sure this is the case. But the Obama Administration’s excessive rules too often usurp state and tribal authority and go beyond what is necessary"(JBW-EP)