Environmental
Contents
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)
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.
"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.
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)
