Congresswoman Bachmann does not believe in man-made global warming. She has referred to global warming as a hoax, called for more investigation, and noted that the gases being pointed at as contributing to global warming are natural byproducts.
In 2006, Congresswoman Bachmann stated during a debate that in the 1970's the concern among scientists was global cooling and it has not been established that global warmin is occuring. She stated that we needed to focus more on the science and less on policy. By 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann was calling global warming an outright hoax. She has co-sponsored legislation to prohibit US contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and the Free Industry Act to remove carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other items from the definition of air pollutant.
Congresswoman Bachmann strongly opposes cap-and-trade programs, which she refers to as "cap-and-tax." She has stated that cap-and-trade is an energy tax that will not only cripple the US manufacturing sector and destroy our economic recovery, but it will harm families, small businesses, family farms, and individuals alike. Congresswoman Bachmann has asserted that placing the cap-and-trade restrictions on US businesses would raise costs and drive business overseas, amounting to a stimulus plan for China and India without any environmental benefits.
In addition to cap-and-trade programs, Congresswomam Bachmann also opposes attempts by the EPA to regulate carbon dioxide emissions through a finding that carbon dioxide represents a danger. She referred to such efforts as a backdoor energy tax.
To address the energy needs of the US, Congresswoman Bachmann is an advocate for the use of all types of energy. This includes wind, solar, nuclear, coal, and oil. Congresswoman Bachmann is a strong advocate for expanded drilling, drilling in ANWR, and drilling offshore. Congresswoman Bachmann has co-sponsored and advocated for the No Cost Stimulus Act of 2009. This legislaiton would open up the outer continental shelf and ANWR to drilling and exploration. She has also co-sponsored legislation to require the President to designate portions of no less that three military institutions to be used as refineries.
While in office, Congresswoman Bachmann has voted against the cap-and-trade program and against most energy legislation. She has co-sponsored legislation to increase the area availble for drilling, and to increase refining ability.
During her 2012 Presidential campaign, Congresswoman Bachmann stated that if elected, her Presidency would see gas come below $2 per gallon. This may have been alluding to the numerous pieces of legislation that she has co-sponsored to increase energy exploration and drilling, but no specific plan has been offered. Congresswoman Bachmann's 2012 presidential campaign website states that she will end the moratorium on drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, expand energy exploration, reign in the EPA, and ensure that additional tax burden is not placed on explorers and producers.
Look at the Science
In June of 2006, Congresswoman Bachmann responded to a quesiton on global warming in an interview and stated that global warming had not been established as fact, and that we needed to look at the science. To illustrate this fact, Congresswoman Bachmann discusses the concern of the 1970s of a global ice age.
Combating Energy Concerns
In May of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann released a video noting her support for increased oil drilling and exploration and her support for nuclear energy.
Global Warming is a Hoax
In March of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann participated in a town hall event and stated that global warming was a hoax.
The big thing we are working on now is the global warming hoax. It's all voodoo, nonsense, hokum, a hoax. The tax cap and trade system for limiting emissions is just another tax on businesses. By 2012, incandescent light bulbs will be no more. Fluorescent bulbs are more polluting because of their mercury content. We are working on the light bulb bill. If the Democrats can hose up a light bulb don't trust them with the country.
Support for Expanded Drilling
In June of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann released a statement noting her position that Congress should open up more land to drilling to decrease the cost of gas.
Bachmann Continues Fight to Cut Gas Prices
Blogger Call on Energy
Washington, D.C., Jun 23, 2008 -
U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-6) continued her fight to decrease our nation’s sky-rocketing gas prices hosting a gas press conference with 15 national bloggers and 6 Members of Congress and a special order on the House floor to hit home the message that our nation’s middle class is hurting and needs help.
"Congressional leadership is to blame for the off-the-chart gas prices," stated Rep. Bachmann. "America’s families are struggling to make ends meet. We must act now to bring them the relief they deserve. At a time when food costs are high, our nation’s taxpayers can’t afford to wait much longer for a relief plan from Congress.
"Last week Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) a member of the Appropriations and Natural Resources Committees laid out Democrat leaderships only plan when he declared that the federal government should take over our oil refineries. Socializing our oil industry does not provide relief for America’s families.
"It is critical that Congress vote to open our nation’s available shale and off-shore reserves and look to other energy resources like ethanol, nuclear and wind power to solve our energy dilemma. There is more recoverable oil shale in the states of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming than in the entire country of Saudi Arabia. That’s enough to meet our supply needs for over two centuries and decrease our rising gas costs.
"I will continue to work in Congress to see that families in Minnesota and all across the nation get help to make ends meet. Supporting my plan to explore here, explore now, and pay less is critical to helping the struggling middle-class get back on their feet."
Floor Speech on Energy
In June of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann spoke on the House floor about the need to open more areas for drilling for oil and natural gas.
Cut the Red Tape Act
In July of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann released a statement noting her Emergency Energy Cut-the-Red-Tape Now Act.
Bachmann Unveils Legislation to Curb Rising Gas Costs Authors “Emergency Energy Cut–the-Red-Tape Now Act”
Washington, D.C., Jul 7, 2008 -
Today, U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-6) unveiled key legislation, the Emergency Energy Cut-the-Red-Tape Now Act, which would allow Americans to tap our national energy resources and provide relief from off-the-chart gas costs. In announcing this legislation, she stated:
"Gas prices are continuing to spiral out of control and Congress has done nothing to give Americans the relief they deserve. Record high prices are having a major impact on American consumers and businesses, from the way people travel to the way they do business to the food they buy at the grocery store.
"Sadly, the United States is the only country in the world that discourages using its own energy resources. Our country imports 10 million barrels of crude oil every day. We’re also importing 1.3 million barrels of refined gasoline. However, we have the ability to be energy independent. We have the knowledge and expertise right here at home to procure and refine these products, get them to the pump, and create thousands of American jobs in the process.
"My bill, the Emergency Energy Now Act will give the Secretary of Energy the ability to open the ANWR, oil shale reserves, and the Outer Continental Shelf, and streamline the refinery process. And if the price of oil exceeds $100 a barrel, the Secretary will be required to waive leasing and permitting regulations to open up these energy stores.
"Once these federal lands that have been off-limits are open to exploration, we would immediately begin to tap into our own resources, helping make us less dependent on foreign energy sources and reducing the cost to consumers. It’s clear that the American people are hurting and need help now. Congress must allow for the immediate opening of these lands and allow American companies to help our nation by exploring, producing, and putting these sources of energy into production now."
Some estimates indicate that the permitting process adds 5-6 years to the time it takes to build a refinery. Also according to estimates an offshore oil platform takes seven years and an estimated 1-5 billion dollars before oil or gas can be recovered from one area.
Support for Drilling in ANWR
In August of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann appeared on CNN and spoke about the need to drill in ANWR. This followed an op-ed discussing a recent trip to ANWR to generate attention and support for drilling there.
Off to ANWR 7/18/2008 | Email Michele Bachmann | All Posts By Blogger
Today my House colleagues and I are starting our trip to ANWR. On the way, we’ll be stopping in Golden, Colorado to tour the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The lab’s purpose is to find fresh renewable ways to power our homes, businesses, and cars, a key component of the Republicans’ All-of-the-Above energy plan.
Hopefully we’re able to take some pictures there so I can share them with everyone. After that, we’ll be off to Alaska. I’ve got my video camera with me so I’ll be sure to take some good footage to share with everyone when I return next week. In the mean time, here are some facts from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) about the estimated amount of recoverable oil we have in ANWR.
According to the USGS, the mean estimate of technically recoverable oil in the Coastal Plain of ANWR is 10.4 billion barrels – all of which is now economically recoverable.
• That’s more than twice the proven oil reserves in all of Texas. • That’s almost half of the total U.S. proven reserve of 21 million barrels. • That represents a possible 50 percent increase in total U.S. proven reserves.
What does 10.4 Billion Barrels of Oil Mean? 10.4 Billion Barrels produces:
• 436.8 Billion Gallons of Gasoline o 12.6 Billion Tanks of Gasoline (based on a 16 gallon tank) o 93 tanks of gas for EVERY registered passenger vehicle • 10.4 Trillion Gallons of Diesel o 320 Million Tanks of Diesel (with Two 150 gallon tanks on a semi) • 4.3 Trillion Gallons of Jet Fuel o 5.7 Million Tanks of Jet Fuel (on fully fueled 737-600s with 6,875 gallon tanks)
Let’s be clear about this. The Coastal Plain of ANWR, also known as the 1002 Area, is neither wilderness nor refuge. It was set aside by Congress and President Carter in 1980 for future oil development. Development would be limited to 2000 acres of the Coastal Plain or 0.01% of the entire 19.6 million-acre refuge. These lands were set aside for America to produce its own energy resources. What are we waiting for?
A Sham Energy Bill
In July of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann wrote an op-ed discussing her opposition to the DRILL Act, and citing critical misperceptions that the bill was written on.
A Sham Energy Bill 7/17/2008 | Email Michele Bachmann | All Posts By Blogger
Today, the Democrats are bringing to the floor their supposed “drilling” bill. The Drill Responsibly in Leased Land (DRILL) bill was pushed through committee yesterday where Democrats voted down every pro-production amendment offered by Republicans.
This bill essentially does 3 things that the Democrats want to use to mislead the American people into thinking they support increasing domestic energy production.
SHAM 1 It once again brings back the “Use it or Lose it” idea that was defeated a few weeks back by a bipartisan coalition because of its worthlessness. The 68 million acres that the Democrats say are in need of “use” are, in fact, being used. They are in some stage of exploration right now but are caught up in a bureaucratic maze of approval. As far as the “lose it” portion of the proposal, energy companies are already required to utilize acquired leases within a five to ten year period or the Interior Department Secretary has the right to revoke the lease.
SHAM 2 It says we can’t export oil from Alaska. Not a bad idea, but the problem is we haven’t done that for the past 10 years.
SHAM 3 It “opens up” land to drilling in Alaska. While they’re on the right track, if they really cared about opening up land for drilling, they’d do so in ANWR and not in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA) that has (1) already been open for 25 years, (2) is 250 miles away from the nearest pipeline, and (3) isn’t all that serviceable in that it only has 53 workable days a year of thaw.
Conversely, ANWR is close to the Trans-Alaskan pipeline that is already in service. More importantly, ANWR has more production potential on a much smaller piece of land. If the Democrats’ key fear about drilling is the damage it causes to the environment, what sense does it make to use a much bigger piece of land for a substantially smaller return?
Democrats know the vast majority of the American people want to drill here, drill now, and pay less – but this bill will not hide 30 years of shutting off access.
This bill is more of the Democrats’ same failed policies. It’s simply cover for doing nothing to produce energy and it’s the Democrat Leadership’s excuse for blocking votes on real oil and gas production.
Just yesterday, at a Financial Services Committee hearing, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke stated “…a 1 percent increase in supply could lower prices by 10 percent.”
Support for all-of-the-above
In August of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann released a statement noting her opposition to a plan put forth by the Democrats to force oil companies to use their leased land or lose it.
Bachmann Criticizes Democrats' Energy-Lite Gimmick Continues Her Fight for All-of-the-Above Energy Solution
Washington, D.C., Aug 16, 2008 - (Washington, DC) Today, in response to Speaker Nancy Pelosi's unveiling of a so-called Democrat energy plan during the Democrats' weekly radio address, U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-6) made the following statement:
"While American families struggle to pay their bills because of record high gas prices, Republicans have continuously demanded action from Congress on a real energy strategy. In contrast, after months of inaction, the Democrats closed down Congress early and headed off to summer recess. And now, with polls showing how strongly Americans favor the real solutions Republicans propose, Speaker Pelosi finally announces plans to pursue a plan over the next few weeks - presumably before Congress' next recess at the end of September.
"You can dress it up in new language and put it in a national radio address, Speaker Pelosi, but the American people know that this is just the same old tired ideas from the Democrats. This isn't a strategy or a solution; it's a gimmick.
"The Democrats' energy-lite includes the so-called 'use it or lose it' myths that just this week were debunked by the Washington Post editorial board. 'The notion that oil companies are just sitting on oil leases is a myth. With oil prices still above $100 a barrel, that charge never made sense.' Those are the Post's words, not mine. And, according to Speaker Pelosi, the Democrats' energy-lite 'will consider opening portions of the Outer Continental Shelf for drilling.' Republicans have been talking about drilling off OCS for months now -- even years. Yet, all the Democrats can propose is to consider considering? Now's not the time for legislation that just proposes possibilities, Madame Speaker; the American people demand action.
"The fact of the matter is that Speaker Pelosi does not care about America's struggling families, she cares about retaining her majority in Congress. She has had countless opportunities to cut gas prices by allowing a vote on real energy solutions, but instead Democrats have been playing political games. Now they're trying to fool the American people by proposing energy-lite disguised as a real energy solution. The American people may not be in a position to buy much gas nowadays; but they're not going to buy this gimmick either."
Fast Track Shale Act
In August of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann released a statement noting legislation that she was putting forth called the Fast Track Shale Act.
Bachmann Introduces Shale Oil Exploration Bill Offers the Fast Track Shale Act as part of $2 Gas Plan
Washington, D.C., Aug 1, 2008 - (Washington, DC) – Today, U.S Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-6) introduced another energy exploration bill which would provide the American people with much-needed relief at the pump. The Fast Track Shale Act would open up U.S. federal lands that contain oil shale, cut red tape binding Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulations for commercial development of this shale, and set in place new research and development that will help foster a better process of extracting this form of oil.
"With our nation’s families facing record high prices at the gas pump, America must become less dependent on foreign oil and produce our own energy so that we knock down these rising costs," stated Bachmann. "Right now, America has an abundance of oil and natural gas sources that are readily available. Unfortunately, Congress is standing in the way of their retrieval and is continuing to make it illegal to access these valuable resources."
BLM estimates that the oil shale-rich areas of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming alone hold 1.23 trillion barrels of oil. This oil would completely offset Saudi Arabia’s 1.2 trillion barrels of known reserves making the United States independent of foreign oil all together.
"Before taking the majority in Congress, Democrats promised to meet our nation’s energy demands, but they’ve been entirely unwilling to vote on a comprehensive energy bill before breaking for August recess," said Bachmann. "With complete disregard for our nation’s hurting families, the Democrat-led Congress has continually blocked efforts on the House floor to expand the development of American petroleum resources and bring down the price of fuel. I will continue to call for more exploration in Congress as part of a comprehensive all-of-the-above energy strategy."
Promoting New American Energy Act
In July of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann released a statement noting her legislation to bolster renewable energy.
Bachmann Unveils Renewable Energy Legislation Part of her Plan for Two-Dollar Gas
Washington, D.C., Jul 31, 2008 -
(Washington, DC) Today, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann introduced a renewable energy bill as part of her All-of-the-Above energy strategy. Bachmann’s legislation would use tax incentives to promote new American energy sources and rein in out-of-control gas prices. The Promoting New American Energy Act would accelerate tax depreciation for investments in renewable energy, paving the way for long-term energy independence. In introducing this legislation, Rep. Bachmann stated:
"To combat this energy crisis, Congress must aggressively pursue all options – oil, gas, coal, wind, solar, biofuels, nuclear – leaving no stone unturned in the effort to provide Americans with relief and secure our energy future. My bill, the Promoting New American Energy Act, is part of a plan to do just that. It would accelerate tax depreciation to 3 years for investments in newer, cleaner, more efficient energy technologies. By encouraging greater investment in solar, wind, geothermal and more, these alternatives become a bigger part of our arsenal of energy options more quickly. And a diverse arsenal of solutions will decrease our dependence on foreign oil and curb our gas costs.
"According to a study by the nonprofit, nonpartisan American Council for Capital Formation, investments in alternative energy experience less favorable tax depreciation rules in the U.S. compared to many other countries. My legislation will put America on better footing globally and take us one step closer to increasing our domestic energy production.
"The fact of the matter is that our nation is in an energy crisis and Congress needs to do everything in its power to increase domestic energy production and exploration. By establishing new tax incentives to encourage purchases of energy production equipment and technologies, this bill provides American businesses with the tools needed to increase production and lower our current sky-rocketing energy costs."
American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act
In July of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann released a statement noting her support for the American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act.
Bachmann Offers Discharge Petition to Cut Gas Prices H.R. 6107, the American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act
Washington, D.C., Jul 30, 2008 -
(Washington, DC) Today, U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-6) continued the fight to decrease our nation’s sky-rocketing gas prices and offered a discharge petition to release H.R. 6107, the American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act, for legislative action. With 181 cosponsors, this bipartisan bill which opens the Costal Plain of ANWR and mandates that the Secretary of Interior issue leases no later than 25 months from the date of enactment, deserves consideration by the U.S. House.
"Our nation’s families are experiencing record high gas costs and Congress has sat on the sidelines for far too long," stated Rep. Bachmann. "It’s time that Congress provide them the relief they deserve. Congressional leadership and their lack of action is to blame for off-the-chart gas prices. They must redeem themselves and bring this commonsense legislation to the floor before leaving for the August break.
"The 2000-acres of the Coastal Plain can deliver an additional 1 million barrels per day or more for 30 years. That's roughly equivalent to what the State of Texas produces daily. And, H.R 6107 would provide this at no cost to the American taxpayer. In fact, this bill would create jobs once the Costal Plain is open.
"I’m tired of the Democrats’ political games," concluded Rep. Bachmann. "America’s hard-working taxpayers need help making ends meet and I am going to force the Democrat leadership to stop ignoring them. I will continue to work in Congress to see that families in Minnesota and all across the nation receive help to get back on their feet."
H.R. 6107 also limits the footprint of development by including environmental regulations and restrictions for drilling. Once signed by a majority of House Members, 218, a discharge petition begins the process of forcing a bill out of a committee for action by the full House.
Support for Shale Exploration
In August of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann released a statement noting her support for legislation to promote shale oil exploration.
Bachmann Introduces Shale Oil Exploration Bill Offers the Fast Track Shale Act as part of $2 Gas Plan
Washington, D.C., Aug 1, 2008 - (Washington, DC) – Today, U.S Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-6) introduced another energy exploration bill which would provide the American people with much-needed relief at the pump. The Fast Track Shale Act would open up U.S. federal lands that contain oil shale, cut red tape binding Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulations for commercial development of this shale, and set in place new research and development that will help foster a better process of extracting this form of oil.
"With our nation’s families facing record high prices at the gas pump, America must become less dependent on foreign oil and produce our own energy so that we knock down these rising costs," stated Bachmann. "Right now, America has an abundance of oil and natural gas sources that are readily available. Unfortunately, Congress is standing in the way of their retrieval and is continuing to make it illegal to access these valuable resources."
BLM estimates that the oil shale-rich areas of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming alone hold 1.23 trillion barrels of oil. This oil would completely offset Saudi Arabia’s 1.2 trillion barrels of known reserves making the United States independent of foreign oil all together.
"Before taking the majority in Congress, Democrats promised to meet our nation’s energy demands, but they’ve been entirely unwilling to vote on a comprehensive energy bill before breaking for August recess," said Bachmann. "With complete disregard for our nation’s hurting families, the Democrat-led Congress has continually blocked efforts on the House floor to expand the development of American petroleum resources and bring down the price of fuel. I will continue to call for more exploration in Congress as part of a comprehensive all-of-the-above energy strategy."
Opposition to Democratic Energy Proposal
In September of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann released a statement noting her opposition to Democratic proposals for energy.
Bachmann Outraged at Democrats' Energy Sham Proposal Energy Bill That Brings Real Relief to the American People is Long-Overdue
Washington, D.C., Sep 16, 2008 -
Today, U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-6) made the following statement in response to the House Democrats’ sham energy proposal: "For twenty-one months the American people have been forced to pay off-the-chart oil and gas prices. They’ve waited anxiously for Congress to put aside the political games and come together to support a real energy solution. Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi and the Democrat-led Congress decided to stick with their same old tired gimmicks and brought to the floor – without allowing any debate on any amendments- a bill that does nothing to increase our nation’s energy production.
"In the dead of night last night, at 11 pm, the House Rules Committee met to determine what - if any – debate would be in order. With less than one hour's notice to any Republican, they slipped in and did not approve a single amendment, cutting off debate on the seminal issue of our time. This is irresponsible. This is practically criminal. Congress is literally robbing the American people of the opportunity to have real energy independence.
"How does the Democrat-led Congress respond to the cries of the American people? They introduce a gimmicky energy proposal that will multiply red tape and make it almost impossible to lower already skyrocketing oil costs. Their bill extends the moratorium on nearly 9/10 of all off-shore reserves, including some of the most promising areas for exploration. It also fails to include revenue sharing for coastal states with off-shore leases – which even Democrats have called a poison pill dooming their bill to failure. This is proof positive the House Democrats don’t mean business.
"This bill also keeps Alaskan oil bottled up, fails to access the 2.5 million barrels of oil available per day from shale reserves, and creates new no-drill zones off-shore. This bill completely binds American production and pushes us further into dependence on foreign oil.
"My Republican colleagues and I will continue to call for a vote on true energy solutions until the Democrat-led Congress sets aside business as usual and works to pass a real solution that works for our nation’s families."
Bachmann authored four amendments that would have promoted renewable energy technologies, opened access to shale oil reserves, cut the red tape on domestic production, and eliminated frivolous legal maneuvers that are used to bottle up American oil and natural gas.
Cap-and-Trade Forums
In April of 2009, Congresswoman Bachmann released a press statement and noted forums that she held on cap-and-trade programs.
Bachmann Hosts Cap-and-Trade Forums
Washington, D.C., Apr 9, 2009 - Today, U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann held two public forums – one in St. Cloud and the other in Woodbury – to discuss the financial impact of President Obama’s proposed cap-and-trade energy policy on family budgets and our economy with special guest Chris Horner, Senior Fellow and author with the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Rep. Bachmann issued the following statement at the conclusion of the two forums:
“I was very excited to see the tremendous turnout in both St. Cloud and Woodbury from so many 6th district residents interested in learning more about the serious ramifications of this cap-and-trade, or as I call it, cap-and-tax, policy proposed by the Obama Administration. President Obama has made this policy a cornerstone of his agenda, seeking its passage by August and it’s great that so many Minnesotans now have the facts on what this policy really means for them and for the economy. Cap-and-trade is an energy tax that will not only cripple our manufacturing sector and destroy our economic recovery, but it will harm families, small businesses, family farms, and individuals alike.
“While it is being messaged as a tax against big business polluters, the financial burden directly impacts every consumer. This tax will not only result in higher energy bills, it will increase the cost of everything from groceries to school supplies. But, let’s be honest: This isn’t really about being green, it’s about making green. The Democrats need the revenues this will generate to pay for their expensive spending agenda. But, that’s short-sighted because it will cost far more in the long-run than it will bring in. Any way you look at it, it’s low- and middle-income Americans who will pay dearly for this – especially in Minnesota. Cap-and-trade will increase energy costs for all energy consumers, but it will particularly raise costs for those who get their energy from coal-fired utilities, which are more dominant in the Midwest.
“With our economy in the shape that it’s in, everybody’s tightening their belts. Everybody’s worried about making their mortgage payments. Everybody knows someone out of work and wonders if they’ll be next. And, everybody has seen their savings and retirement dwindle. A cap-and-tax policy like this is the last thing families need right now.”
Fox Business Appearance
In March of 2009, Congresswoman Bachmann appeared on Fox Business and spoke about cap-and-trade legislation.
Package of Energy Legislation
In March of 2009, Congresswoman Bachmann released a statement noting the numerous pieces of legislation that she had introduced to make changes to the US energy policy.
Bachmann Introduces Legislation to Increase American-Made Energy without Increasing Taxes
Washington, D.C., Mar 31, 2009 - U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-06) today re-introduced her package of four bills that promote our nation’s energy independence. Her “all of the above” approach will increase the supply of clean, affordable, American-made energy today and provide tax incentives—instead of energy tax increases as proposed in President Obama’s budget—to invest in newer, more efficient energy technologies for the future.
“At a time when the American economy is experiencing the worst recession in decades, the last thing Washington should do is continue to restrict the development of cheaper energy and increase taxes to pay for energy exploration,” said Congresswoman Bachmann.
Her package includes: the Emergency Energy Cut the Red Tape Now Act, the Fast Track Shale Act, the Getting Resources Efficiently and Effectively Now, and the Promoting New American Energy Act.
Currently, the U.S. imports 10 million barrels of crude oil each day. In order to decrease reliance on foreign sources of oil, Bachmann re-introduced the Emergency Energy Cut the Red Tape Now Act, which would allow the Secretary of Interior to access offshore drilling, oil shale reserves, and streamline the refinery process. If the price of oil exceeds $100 a barrel, the Secretary would be required to waive leasing and permitting regulations to open energy stores.
Bachmann also reintroduced the Fast Track Shale Act, which would open federal lands that contain oil shale, cut the red tape at the Bureau of Land Management for commercial development, and set in place new research and development that will help foster even more efficient processes of extracting this form of oil.
“Unfortunately, frivolous lawsuits have often delayed accessing American energy resources. And quite frankly, that is often their objective. That is why I am also re-introducing the GREEN Act,” said Congresswoman Bachmann. “Environmental protections are important and necessary, but legal challenges to oil and gas leases, aimed at blocking production, can drag on unnecessarily for years.”
The Getting Resources Efficiently and Effectively Now (GREEN) Act would give the President or his designee the authority to review all leases to determine if they comply with applicable federal laws and following such approval no further administrative or judicial review would be permitted.
And, in order to promote an “all of the above” energy solution, Bachmann’s fourth bill, the Promoting New American Energy Act, provides incentives for newer, more efficient and cleaner energy by accelerating tax depreciation to 3 years for investments in newer, cleaner, more efficient energy technologies, including solar, wind, and geothermal investments.
“Ending our nation’s dependence on foreign oil can be done without spending the trillions of dollars President Obama has proposed. We have the resources and ability to develop American-made energy and to do so in way that creates jobs and provides tax incentives to encourage innovation to update our energy production,” said Congresswoman Bachmann.
Discussion of Carbon Dioxide
On Earth Day in 2009, Congresswoman Bachmann spoke about the idea that carbon dioxide was a pollutant. She notes that carbon dioxide is essential to life on earth and fundamental to the life cycle here. She mocks the idea that the US standard of living should be reduced to reduce a natural part of earth's atmosphere.
Mrs. BACHMANN. I thank so much my colleague, Mr. Pence from Indiana, for yielding to me for 5 minutes.
And I want to recognize and honor our colleague, Mr. Pete Olson.He's a wonderful freshman, and he's focused exactly on where we should be focusing, and that's on solutions.
We have a great solution to America's current energy crisis, and we do have one. And the great news is that the answer is here in our backyard. We have more coal in the United States than any other country in the world. We have abundant sources of natural gas. We have abundant sources of hydropower. We have abundant sources of wind, of solar. We have oil reserves. We have so much here in our backyard.
Instead of talking about a negative, draining our economy with the new cap-and-tax proposals, we could be here on this floor this evening talking about how we can create millions of new American jobs, high-paying jobs; be the lead exporter in the world of energy. That is the American story, and that's part of America's greatness. Unfortunately, the Obama administration, Mr. Speaker, as well as the Democrat majority that runs this body, is proposing a quite different solution. It's the new cap-and-tax proposal.
But people talk about cap-and-tax and they aren't sure exactly what we're talking about. Let's get back to step one: What is the problem? Why did we have to have this tax in the first place?
It's about carbon dioxide. Well, what is carbon dioxide?
Let us just go to a fundamental question. Carbon dioxide, Mr. Speaker, is a natural byproduct of nature. Carbon dioxide is natural . It occurs in Earth. It is a part of the regular life cycle of Earth. In fact, life on planet Earth can't even exist without carbon dioxide. So necessary is it to human life, to animal life, to plant life, to the oceans, to the vegetation that's on the Earth, to the fowls that fly in the air, we need to have carbon dioxide as a part of the fundamental life cycle of Earth.
As a matter of fact, carbon dioxide is portrayed as harmful, but there isn't even one study that can be produced that shows that carbon dioxide is a harmful gas. There isn't one such study because carbon dioxide is not a harmful gas. It is a harmless gas. Carbon dioxide is natural . It is not harmful. It is a part of Earth's life cycle. And yet we're being told that we have to reduce this natural substance and reduce the American standard of living to create an arbitrary reduction in something that is naturally occurring in the Earth.
We're told the crux of this problem is human activity. It's human actions that are creating more carbon dioxide. Is that true or false? Well, carbon dioxide is a natural part of the Earth's atmosphere. But carbon dioxide is perhaps 3 percent of the total atmosphere that's in the Earth. So if you take a pie chart and all of Earth's atmosphere, carbon dioxide is perhaps 3 percent of that total.
What part of human activity creates carbon dioxide? If carbon dioxide is a negligible gas and it's only 3 percent of Earth's atmosphere, what part is human activity? Human activity contributes perhaps 3 percent of the 3 percent. In other words, human activity is maybe 3 percent contributing to the 3 percent of carbon dioxide that's in Earth's atmosphere. It's so negligible; it's a fraction of a fraction of a percent. It can hardly be quantified.
But let's go ahead and give those who believe in the global warming theory, let's give them their due. And let's say that former Vice President Al Gore is completely right in all of his premises. Let's give him his every premise that he believes on carbon dioxide and that emissions are rising here on planet Earth. Let's give him every premise.
And as we give him every premise, let's also give former Vice President Gore every solution that he believes the United States should embrace to address global warming: that we need to reduce our standard of living, tax our people, hike up the taxes. Let's say we put into place every solution that Vice President Gore has put forth for our country.
Even if we give Vice President Gore his premise, even if we give him his solution, what will be the result? Under his own figures, under Al Gore's own figures, we would reduce the amount of carbon emissions in Earth's atmosphere by the year 2095--the end of this century--we would reduce them by less than seven-hundredths of 1 percent. In other words, the temperature of Earth would drop less than seven-hundredths of 1 percent by the year 2095, and we would be essentially bankrupting our economy to do that. Certainly we would be dramatically lowering the American standard of living.
What will this mean? As my colleague, Mike Pence, has said, the American people will be paying not once for their electric bill; they will be paying twice. The American people will be paying double. They will be paying double for their electric bill; they will be paying increased prices at the gas pump, increased prices at the grocery store. They will be paying increased prices when they go to Target or Kohl's to buy clothing or goods for their family or to Wal-Mart. When they go to buy furniture, the prices will be included. Why? Because energy touches every part of American life. There is no part of American life or life anywhere on the planet that energy doesn't touch. What will that mean?
That will mean dramatic job losses. As a matter of fact, a study in Spain was concluded and it talked about new green jobs that were created. For every green job that was created in Spain, 2.2 jobs were lost in Spain. Is that what we want in the United States, create green jobs only to see a dramatic reduction in American jobs? As my colleague, Mr. Pence, said, the American heartland--I represent the great State of Minnesota--we can't afford that. And the chart that Congressman Pence pointed to stated in the Heritage Study that Minnesota would lead the Nation in job losses if this new cap-and-tax situation was put into place, is that what America wants? I don't think so.
When you look at the fact that carbon dioxide is a natural Earth substance, part of Earth's life cycle, that human activity only contributes 3 percent of 3 percent, so negligible that even if we give the global warming enthusiasts every premise and put into place every prescription, that even so, by the year 2095, we will only reduce carbon dioxide emissions less than seven-hundredths of a percent. And we are willing to export American jobs to do that and do that in spite of knowing that China and India have already declared, We're not in. We're not in. So you might as well call President Obama's and the Democrats' cap-and-tax plan the ``India and China job stimulus plan'' because that's exactly what this will mean for the American economy.
We can do so much better.
As our colleague, Pete Olson, said, we can, instead, embrace American energy solutions and create more natural gas, more oil, more coal, cleaner ways of heating and electrifying our Nation. That's not the way President Obama wants to go. President Obama said you can build a new coal plant but we will bankrupt you. As my colleague, Mike Pence, said, your electricity prices will skyrocket. It doesn't have to be that way.
I am so excited about solutions that we can have in our country, and that would be to make life better for the average American by reducing America's energy cost. This is reality. This is the good news. It's available to you, and the Republicans have a plan to do just that.
I yield back to my colleague from Indiana to tell more of the positive solution and the concerns that we have about this new cap-and-tax. As we go forward in the next weeks, we want to let the American people know, Mr. Speaker, that there are solutions to this problem, that we don't have to reduce America's standard of living.
With that, I would yield back to my colleague and thank him with much appreciation for hosting this remarkable hour this evening.
Mr. PENCE. I thank the gen tle lady. And before she departs the floor--reclaiming my time--I would call the attention, Mr. Speaker, to you and anyone who might be looking in, to a map that reflects recent research done by the highly respected Heritage Foundation. They call this the manufacturing vul ner a bil ity index, which really calculates what the gen tle lady said about her home State of Minnesota, my home State of Indiana, represent those kind of heartland States that will be undeniably most impacted by a cap-and-tax system.
I would yield to the gen tle lady for a quick response. We're struggling in Indiana. Our economy, Mr. Speaker, has a 10 percent unemployment rate. The idea of Congress actually making a priority today--in the name of climate change--to pass legislation without numbers in it. Again, I want to emphasize we don't have numbers in this bill, but the estimates are based on independent studies that it will cost millions of jobs, the estimates are that it will burden families.
I would just ask the gen tle lady, are the good people of Minnesota in a better position than the people of Indiana to absorb a national energy tax of some $3,128 per household?
I would yield.
Mrs. BACHMANN. Absolutely not. As a matter of fact, in Minnesota, we have had, historically, a very low level of unemployment. However, now, with the economy in the condition it is in, Minnesota is very unusual; we are upwards of 8 percent unemployment. In my largest city, we are looking at approximately 10 percent unemployment. In one of my great rural counties, we are also at about 10 percent level of unemployment. In Minnesota, that is absolutely unheard of.
And I would also refer to the map that the gentleman from Indiana is holding. This is a wealth redistribution scheme--some people would call that socialism. This is a wealth redistribution scheme. The reason why I say that is because the individuals in the United States that live in the heartland will be paying the tax, much of which will be redistributed to States on the coast, which will be paying negligible tax. And so all of that money will be taken out of the area in the United States that is very hard hit by this economy and transferred to Washington, D.C. and redistributed to other States.
This is adding insult to injury to an already painful process that a lot of people are going through. And that is why no one can understand this right now. I think no more clear statement needs to be said than that which our President stated perhaps about 4 or 5 weeks ago when he stated, he will have--this is a nonnegotiable. He wants this cap-and-tax. This is President Obama's highest priority. He wants this passed. But he also said that our economy couldn't take the imposition of this tax right now; it couldn't take it because our economy is vulnerable. So he is saying that he wants to delay imposition of this tax until 2012.
What does that tell the American people? The American people are smarter than that. They recognize this is a tremendous burden on their pocketbook and a job killer and, therefore, it should be a deal killer here in the Congress. And I know for you this is, for me this is. We have got to get to a better solution. Thank God we have one.
Opposition to Cap-and-Trade
In May of 2009, Congresswoman Bachmann released a press statement noting her opposition to the Democratic cap-and-trade legislation.
Statement on the Democrats’ Cap-and-Tax Energy Proposal
Washington, D.C., May 5, 2009 - U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-06) today released the following statement as the American Energy Solutions Group discussed solutions to provide more affordable energy for individuals, families and small businesses:
“At a time when the American economy is experiencing a serious recession, the last thing Washington should do is restrict the development of cheaper energy and increase taxes to pay for retro energy ideas. Our government needs to slow down and think twice about enacting an energy policy that will clearly hurt our already struggling economy and financially impact—in the negative—every single American. And that’s exactly what cap and trade will do.
“Ending our nation’s dependence on foreign oil can be done without spending the trillions of dollars President Obama has proposed. The Energy Solutions Working Group is dedicated to an ‘all of the above’ approach that will increase the supply of clean, affordable, American-made energy today and encourage investment for newer, more efficient energy technologies for the future. We have the resources and ability to develop American-made energy and to do so in way that creates jobs and provides tax incentives to encourage innovation to update our energy production,” said Bachmann.
Floor Speech - Cap-and-Trade
In June of 2009, Congresswoman Bachmann spoke on the House floor on the upcoming vote on cap-and-trade legislation.
Mrs. BACHMANN. I thank the gentleman from Virginia. I support the gentleman's amendment.
We know, Madam Speaker, that this national energy tax will cost the American people $2 trillion. We know that. We know this will result in a loss of 2.5 million jobs every year for the American people. We know that. We know this will result in a reduced standard of living for Americans. We know that. What is the point and what's the benefit?
But what is worse than this is the fact that now, because of this underlying bill, the Federal Government will virtually have control over every aspect of lives for the American people. It is time to stand up and say, We get to choose. We choose liberty or we choose tyranny. It's one of the two.
The underlying bill represents the tyranny and the intervention of the Federal Government. Mr. Forbes' amendment represents liberty for the American people.
It's our choice. What will we choose today? Will we choose liberty or will we choose tyranny?
I choose Mr. Forbes' amendment.
Cap-and-Trade is a Tax
In June of 2009, Congresswoman Bachmann wrote an op-ed discussing the cap-and-trade program being proposed by the Democratic majority in Congress. She states that the scheme is nothing more than a tax.
Cap-and-Trade is a Tax 6/16/2009 | Email Michele Bachmann | All Posts By Blogger
Recently, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its analysis of the House Democrats’ cap-and-trade energy bill and found that it will result in $846 billion in new energy taxes that will affect every single American.
Congressman Dave Camp, ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee laid the case out very clearly as to what this energy tax means for middle-class America:
“The President has repeatedly stated married couples earning less than $250,000 a year would not face higher taxes, but this legislation imposes an energy tax on every American and provides no help to families making more than $42,000 or individuals making as little as $23,000. Increasing Americans’ fuel and utility bills in this recession is not only bad policy, but it completely ignores the hardships millions of Americans are already facing. This is dangerous legislation in desperate need of closer review.”
If that wasn't bad enough, Bloomberg has reported that the Democrats' cap-and-trade energy tax will raise gas prices by 77 cents.
I think it's safe to say that President Obama's campaign rhetoric is catching up to him. Rather than prospering, all Americans are being hit hard by the reckless policies being practiced in Washington.
Ideology Over Science
In July of 2009, Congresswoman Bachmann wrote an op-ed discussing the EPA's desire to implement restrictions on carbon-dioxide over the objections of scientists.
EPA Substitutes Ideology In Place of Scientific Integrity 7/1/2009 | Email Michele Bachmann | All Posts By Blogger
Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Waxman-Markey climate change bill, also referred to as cap-and-trade, or cap-and-tax, or the national energy tax, on the premise that if we don't act now to cut carbon emissions, our planet's environment will incur irreversible damage.
Now, we know that cap-and-trade is an absolutely disastrous economic policy, resulting in higher costs for every single American on energy and all manufactured goods. It is an economic time bomb for our nation's already struggling economy that will serve merely as a huge revenue booster for the federal government. We know that.
So supporters of this legislation claimed that we had to pursue this disastrous public policy because science says we must do it to save the environment. Enter the EPA, and its new administrator Lisa Jackson. You’ll recall that the EPA made a similar announcement not long ago, making an endangerment finding and stating that it would have to regulate carbon dioxide if Congress didn’t.
Last week, CBS News reported that "the Environmental Protection Agency may have suppressed an internal report that was skeptical of claims about global warming, including whether carbon dioxide must be strictly regulated by the federal government."
CBS states that "the EPA official, Al McGartland, said in an email message to a staff researcher on March 17: 'The administrator [Jackson] and the administration has decided to move forward... and your comments do not help the legal or policy case for this decision.'" The report's author, a 38 year employee of the EPA, was diverted to other work.
In other words, two weeks before the EPA submitted its pro-regulation recommendation to the White House, the EPA center director suppressed a 98-page report that warned against making hasty "decisions based on a scientific hypothesis that does not appear to explain most of the available data."
But, wait, there’s more.
If we go back to January of this year, it was the EPA's Lisa Jackson who said, " I will ensure EPA's efforts to address the environmental crises of today are rooted in three fundamental values: science-based policies and programs, adherence to the rule of law, and overwhelming transparency."
It seems to me that Jackson substituted ideology in place of scientific integrity in this case. If Jackson really meant what she said, this report should not have been quashed but instead given ample consideration and debate. But in rushing through a major policy initiative of this White House and Congress, I guess you can't let the facts and the truth get in the way of action.
Lockup Our Energy Resources
In July of 2009, Congresswoman Bachmann wrote an op-ed noting her desire to see US oil resources locked up for US use.
Locking Up Our Energy Resources 7/13/2009 | Email Michele Bachmann | All Posts By Blogger
As Americans hit the road for their family vacations this summer, they're undoubtedly noticing the money they leave at the gas pump. AAA's Fuel Gauge Report has the national average at $2.58 for regular gas. That's a far cry from the $4.11 we were paying a year ago. But, the need for an all-of-the-above strategy for energy independence remains just as great now as it did then.
So, it's puzzling that the Obama Administration is trying to restrict our ability to tap into American oil and natural gas resources.
Robert Bryce, Managing Editor for Energy Tribune, wrote in the Wall Street Journal on July 7, 2009 that President Obama is calling for the elimination of two tax incentives that encourage oil and natural gas exploration. President Obama calls them "unjustifiable loopholes" for big, bad oil and gas. The facts show that these two tax provisions more than pay their way all the while opening up American supplies that make us more energy independent.
One allows for the expensing of "intangible drilling costs," which are things like wages, fuel, and pipe. The other provides an allowance for percentage depletion, so well owners can deduct a portion of the value of the production of their wells. Together, these two provisions make up the bulk of the total $1.92 billion in federal oil and gas subsidies. An investment banking firm, Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co., analyzed the impact of eliminating the intangible drilling cost tax incentive and found that it alone could lead to an increase in the cost of U.S. natural gas by 50 cents per thousand cubic feet.
But, together, these tax provisions helped us to make advances in energy technology and to tap into natural gas reserves in Texas and Pennsylvania that were previously thought to be too expensive to reach. A report by the Department of Energy this April found that these newly available resources total 649 trillion cubic feet of gas. That is the equivalent of 118.3 billion barrels of oil, which is more than the proven oil reserves of Iraq.
As Bryce points out, "Simple arithmetic shows that eliminating the drilling subsidies that cost taxpayers less than $2 billion per year could result in an increased cost to consumers of $11.5 billion per year in the form of higher natural gas prices."
When you're gassing up the car for your next family outing, think about what it will take to make energy more affordable and energy independence more attainable. It's got to be an all-of-the-above strategy.
EPA and Carbon Regulation
In December of 2009, Congresswoman Bachmann wrote an op-ed discussing the regulation of carbon dioxide through the EPA.
EPA to Force Businesses to Regulate Carbon Dioxide 12/7/2009 | Email Michele Bachmann | All Posts By Blogger
With the future of cap-and-trade currently in limbo in the Senate, President Obama and liberal leaders in Congress are getting a bit nervous about the prospects of their national energy tax becoming law, and rightly so. More and more evidence is pointing to the highly skeptical statistics of global warming trends, and the scientific community is becoming increasingly wary about the soundness and significance of man made global warming.
In fact, recently revealed emails written by scientists at the Climatic Research Unit of the U.K.'s University of East Anglia and their peers calling into question the scientific rationale for regulation have turned the global warming debate on its head.
But, if you were worried that facts and figures would get in the way of the United States pursuing a radical agenda, have no fear. Where Congress falls short, we have the EPA to pick up its pieces.
Today, the EPA officially declared carbon dioxide a dangerous pollutant. This is bad news for businesses and jobs alike.
The Wall Street Journal reports that:
"an 'endangerment' finding by the Environmental Protection Agency could pave the way for the government to require businesses that emit carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases to make costly changes in machinery to reduce emissions -- even if Congress doesn't pass pending climate-change legislation. EPA action to regulate emissions could affect the U.S. economy more directly, and more quickly, than any global deal inked in the Danish capital (Copenhagen Climate Change Conference), where no binding agreement is expected."
U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donahue released a statement on the EPA's costly decision, saying the EPA's endangerment finding "could result in a top-down command-and-control regime that will choke off growth by adding new mandates to virtually every major construction and renovation project."
The National Association of Manufacturers had harsher words stating that the EPA action won't do much to combat climate change and "is certain to come at a huge cost to the economy."
The timing of this announcement is no coincidence. President Obama is scheduled to fly to the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference later this month, and now he has something to show his similarly misguided peers.
With unemployment at 10%, our government and its agencies shouldn't be looking for ways to eliminate jobs and make it more expensive for businesses to operate. They should be doing exactly the opposite. But again, what else would you expect from liberal leadership that is more focused on seeing through their radical agenda instead of creating jobs and getting our economy back on track.
The Back Door Energy Tax
In March of 2010, Congresswoman Bachmann wrote an op-ed discussing EPA movements to establish a national energy tax without legislation dictating such a tax.
The EPA's Backdoor National Energy Tax 3/2/2010 | Email Michele Bachmann | All Posts By Blogger
In an attempt by the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a national energy tax by circumventing the legislative process, the EPA (with the backing of the Obama Administration) is pushing emission regulations which will destroy jobs and further impact our already struggling economy.
Knowing full well these regulations will further hamper our nation's already precarious finances; the EPA is stealing a playbook from the White House and moving full speed ahead on a policy that the majority of Americans simply don't want. If these regulations come into effect, new taxes will force jobs overseas and shift higher prices onto the consumer, almost guaranteeing that our 10% unemployment rate will climb higher.
If a national energy tax was in the interest of the American people, wouldn't cap-and-trade have cruised through the Senate and been to the President’s desk by now? Instead, cap-and-trade is stalled and may never see the light of day due to its unpopularity and the increased damage it will inflict on our already fragile economy.
I believe the EPA and President Obama need to adhere to the legislative process and not force a jobs-killing tax on businesses throughout our country. Therefore, I signed on to a resolution with my Republican colleagues to put a stop to the EPA’s backdoor approach to raise your taxes. Now, more than ever, job growth needs to be encouraged, not stifled by taxes and regulation.
Keep Offshore Drilling Afloat
In July of 2010, Congresswoman Bachmann wrote an op-ed discussing the movement of offshore drilling platforms away from the Gulf of Mexico and towards overseas locations.
Keep Offshore Drilling in the U.S. Afloat 7/14/2010 | Email Michele Bachmann | All Posts By Blogger
As the unemployment rate sits at 9.5%, American jobs are literally floating away. Two oil drilling rigs from the Gulf of Mexico recently embarked on a two month journey overseas. Diamond Offshore announced one rig is going to the Nile River delta of Egypt and the other is heading to the Republic of Congo; and their job opportunities went with them.
These rigs were sitting idle due to President Obama’s deep water drilling ban and his administration’s subsequent new moratorium, even though a federal judge struck down the first ban. Diamond Offshore could not wait for the Administration to lift the ban in six months. Instead, the company saw an opportunity for up to $234 million to be generated through drilling off the shores of Congo.
The moratorium must be reconsidered before more rigs float away to aid other country’s economies. Additionally, the rigs already existing in the U.S. need to be utilized, under the highest safely standards, to provide more jobs which our nation so desperately needs.
Other countries are benefiting from offshore drilling while the U.S. is slipping far behind, as reported today in the Investor’s Business Daily newspaper:
According to RigLogix, the U.S. offshore rig fleet of 93 rigs of different types is only being used to 38% of capacity. In the Alaskan offshore, none of the four rigs is under use. In the remaining parts of the U.S. offshore, only two of the 28 rigs are in use, a grand total of 7%.
By contrast, 148 of the North Sea's 159 rigs are under contract, for a 93% utilization rate. Off the coast of Brazil, 68 of the 79 rigs are in use, for an 86.1% utilization rate. West Africa, which includes Republic of Congo, has 67% of its 76 rigs in use. Even Mexico, much maligned for not investing and squandering opportunities, utilizes 52% of its 62 rigs.
Just as the U.S. is falling behind in exports, amounting to only 17% of GDP as the rest of the world sails by with higher numbers, the 34% rig utilization shows how badly we're falling behind offshore.
The off shore drilling moratorium must be reconsidered before more rigs float away to aid other country’s economies. The tragedy that has cost the Gulf so much already should not be exploited like this to further an out-of-touch energy policy the President and Congressional Democrats have promised. The rigs already existing in the U.S. need to be utilized to their fullest capacity and under the highest safely standards to provide more jobs which our nation so desperately needs.
It is not too late for the U.S. to be a leader in deep oil drilling and safe exploration. But, President Obama must act quickly before more oil rigs are thousands of miles away providing jobs and revenue to foreign nations.
$2 a Gallon Gas
At a campaign event, Congresswoman Bachmann promised that if elected, she would bring down the cost of gas to less than 2$ dollars a barrel. She offered no plan to achieve this goal.
Under President Bachmann presidency, you will see gas come back down below 2$ a gallon again. That will happen.
Reagan Debate
In September of 2011, Congresswoman Bachmann participated in the Republican debate at the Reagan library. She notes her opposition to the EPA involvement.
Congresswoman Bachmann, a question about energy, back to that subject for a moment. Were you quoted correctly -- and do you stand by it -- as wanting to drill in the Everglades in Florida?
BACHMANN: The question was asked of me about that. And what I said is we have American energy resources all across this nation. And, of course, we would do it responsibly. That was my response at the time.
And on this issue on human -- human activity as being the cause of climate change, I think it's important to note that the president recognized how devastating the EPA has been in their rulemaking, so much so that the president had to suspend current EPA rules that would have led to the shutting down of potentially 20 percent of all of America's coal plants.
Coal is the source that brings 45 percent of America's electricity. What we're seeing is that a political agenda is being advanced instead of a scientific agenda. And this is leading to the -- to massive numbers of jobs being lost.
The president told us he wanted to be like Spain when it came to green job creation, and yet Spain has one of the highest levels of unemployment. The president is bringing that here in the United States. And I think tomorrow night, when the nation tunes in to the president, I'm afraid that we won't be seeing permanent solution. I'm afraid what we'll be seeing are temporary gimmicks and more of the same that he's given before.
...
BACHMANN: Energy is one of the greatest opportunities for job creation that we have in the United States. We just learned today that if the federal government would pull back on all of the regulatory restrictions on American energy production, we could see 1.2 million jobs created in the United States.
We could also see created over 50 percent more American energy production. And we could also see $800 billion more revenue coming into the United States government.
Don't forget the day that President Obama took office, gasoline was $1.79 a gallon. It's entirely possible for us to get back to inexpensive energy.
The problem is, energy is too high. Let's have a goal of bringing it down, because every time gasoline increases 10 cents a gallon, that's $14 billion in economic activity that every American has taken out of their pockets. This is a great solution, and this is the place to start with American job creation.
Huckabee Forum
In December of 2011, Congresswoman Bachmann participated in a forum that was hosted by Mike Huckabee. She speaks about the need to get rid of the EPA.
Official Website Statements
Energy Independence
Energy reform is perhaps one of the most critical issues facing Congress as Americans pay high prices at the pump day after day, and our dependence on foreign oil continues to threaten our national security. I believe it is imperative we look for real solutions to lower gas prices for American families and increase domestic energy production to break our dependency on foreign sources of oil.
We can achieve these goals by cutting federal regulations that drive up energy production and processing costs, increasing U.S. capacity to refine crude oil and exploring areas that are currently off limits to domestic production like the Alaskan Energy Slope, the oil shale areas of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, and the outer-continental shelf.
In addition, we must look beyond our traditional sources of energy to diversify our supply and find innovative solutions to help protect the environment. Minnesota has proven to be a leader in the production of biofuels, wind power, and other renewable sources of energy. As a member of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus (RE&EEC), I am working to raise awareness and educate lawmakers on technologies to improve energy efficiency and explore alternative forms of energy.
Campaign Website Statements
“All-of-The Above” Approach to Energy Development
At a time when the American economy is experiencing the worst recession in decades, the last thing Washington should do is continue to restrict the development of cheaper energy or increase taxes on energy consumers.
From reserves in the mountain West to ANWR to the outer-continental shelf, we have untapped resources that can increase energy supply and reduce prices. And, constantly improving technology gives us the ability to explore while preserving our natural heritage for generations.
I have introduced 4 pieces of legislation to free up our energy reserves and promote alternative forms of energy.
The Emergency Energy Cut the Red Tape Now Act, to improve access to offshore drilling and oil shale reserves and streamline the refinery process;
The Fast Track Shale Act, to improve our ability to access shale oil on federal lands;
The Getting Resources Efficiently and Effectively Now (GREEN) Act, to fast track access to American energy resources; and
The Promoting New American Energy Act, to accelerate tax depreciation for investments in technologies like solar, wind and geothermal.
Congress must open up domestic supplies of energy to exploration if we are to reduce your pain at the pump and lead our nation to real energy independence.
And as a member of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, I am working to raise awareness and educate lawmakers on technologies to improve energy efficiency and explore alternative forms of energy. We must never stop exploring alternative energy. For instance, France gets 80% of its energy from clean, safe nuclear energy. Yet, the U.S. hasn’t built a new reactor in three decades. We cannot limit our capacity for ingenuity in the search for energy answers.
2012 Presidential Campaign Website Statements
Achieving Affordable Energy
When Barack Obama was inaugurated, gasoline cost $1.83 a gallon. Today, prices have more than doubled. And a major reason is this Administration’s determination to lock up and raise the price of America’s abundant energy resources.
The government has conservatively estimated that America’s offshore reserves alone include approximately 86 billion barrels of recoverable oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Many of these resources are off limits due to various moratoria and restrictions, many of which President Obama previously pledged to lift.
Now, his Administration, overreacting to the BP oil spill, has reversed that promise and brought approvals for deepwater wells in areas open to development to a virtual standstill. Not to mention threatening energy companies with new levies and cap-and-trade rules that would further hike costs and which the President has openly acknowledged are intended to price our coal industry out of business.
Meanwhile, in a deeply cynical, highly political ploy, the President recently released millions of barrels of oil from our Strategic Petroleum Reserves in an artificial effort to temporarily reduce prices – letting loose for a few months a daily energy supply roughly equivalent to the daily output we could see for years to come from allowing limited and environmentally safe drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge.
Besides driving up prices, the Administration’s actions are costing jobs and hurting our economy. It’s been estimated that opening up offshore areas for greater development could add two percent a year to our gross domestic product and bring in more than $2.2 trillion in revenue and royalties.
The natural gas industry has already proven what’s possible through new technologies that have dramatically increased reserves, resulting in more than a century of supplies. That’s the kind of “game-changing” advance that could reduce costs, create jobs and increase our security – if only government would get out of the way.
As President, I will work to lift the restraints that keep America from energy security. I will fight to increase access to the billions of barrels of oil and trillions of feet of natural gas on the Outer Continental Shelf and reverse the Administration’s “permatorium” in the Gulf of Mexico. I will stop the Environmental Protection Agency’s cap-and-trade rules in their tracks, and end this “Job Killing Agency’s” threats against our rapidly growing domestic shale gas industry and the energy and manufacturing bonanza it is offering. And I will put a halt to the threat of higher taxes against the explorers and producers whose investments and innovations offer the best hope of bringing down prices and ensuring our energy independence.
Voting Record
Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act
The Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act would have hastened the sale of drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Virginia. It passed the House 266-149, but was never brought up for a vote in the Senate. Michele Bachmann voted in favor of the Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act.
Michele Bachmann voted in favor of the Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act.
Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011
The Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 would have prevented the EPA from passing any tax on greenhouse gases and excluded GHGs from the definition of air pollutants. Michele Bachmann voted in favor of the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011.
Michele Bachmann voted in favor of the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011.
American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (Cap-and-Trade)
Also known as Cap and Trade, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 sought to create a system of carbon credits which would be issued to each business, and dictated the amount of carbon each business was allowed to put into the evironment through the creation of goods or the use of energy. When a company exceed the amount of carbon allocated to it (exceeded it\'s cap), it could then trade or purchase carbon credits from businesses below their allocated level. The bill passed the house in a 219-212 vote, but was never brought up for a vote in the Senate. Michele Bachmann voted against the Cap and Trade Program.
Michele Bachmann voted against the Cap and Trade Program.
Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008
In February of 2008, the US House passed the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008. Among other things, the bill created tax incentives for renewable energy. The bill was widely supported by Democrats and mostly opposed by Republicans. It never came ');
echo('up for a vote in the US Senate, but passed the US House in a 236-182 vote. Michele Bachmann voted against the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008.
Michele Bachmann voted against the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008.
Renewable Energy and Job Creation Tax Act of 2008
In September of 2008, the House passed what was called the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Tax Act of 2008. Among other things, the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Tax Act of 2008 created tax credits for renewable electricity, and paid for those credits with PAYGO offsets. The bill had widespread Democratic support and Republican opposition, but passed with a vote of 257-166. Michele Bachmann voted against the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Tax Act of 2008.
Michele Bachmann voted against the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Tax Act of 2008.
Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008
In May of 2008, The US House passed the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008. The Act created tax incentives for energy production and conservation. The bill was largely supported by the Democrats and largely opposed by the Republicans. The bill passed the House in a 263-160 vote. Michele Bachmann voted against the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008.
Michele Bachmann voted against the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008.
Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007
Among other things, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007 removed oil & gas exploration subsidies. The bill passed the House in January ');
echo('and passed the Senate in June. In the House, the bill was supported by almost all Democrats and opposed by a majority of Republicans. It passed with a 264-163 vote Michele Bachmann voted against the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007.
Michele Bachmann voted against the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007.
No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2007 or NOPEC
The No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2007 or NOPEC. The bill Amends the Sherman Act to declare it to be illegal and a violation of the Act for any foreign state or instrumentality thereof to act collectively or in combination with any other foreign state or any other person, whether by cartel or any other association or form of cooperation or joint action, to limit the production or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any other petroleum product (petroleum), to set or maintain the price of petroleum, or to otherwise take any action in restraint of trade for petroleum, when such action has a direct, substantial, and reasonably foreseeable effect on the market, supply, price, or distribution of petroleum in the United States. The bill was not brought up in the US Senate, but passed the House in a 345-72 vote. Michele Bachmann voted in favor of the NOPEC Act.
To stimulate the economy and create jobs at no cost to the taxpayers, and without borrowing money from foreign governments for which our children and grandchildren will be responsible, and for other purposes.
To greatly enhance the Nation's environmental, energy, economic, and national security by terminating long-standing Federal prohibitions on the domestic production of abundant offshore supplies of natural gas, to dedicate fixed percentages of the resultant royalties for environmental restoration projects, renewable energy and carbon sequestration research, and weatherization and energy assistance for those in need, and to share a portion of such royalties with producing States, and for other purposes.
Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal provisions prohibiting any federal agency from entering into a contract for procurement of an alternative or synthetic fuel for any mobility-related use, other than for research or testing, unless the contract specifies that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and combustion of the fuel must be less than or equal to such emissions from the equivalent conventional fuel.
Requires the President to designate not less than three closed military installations or portions thereof that are appropriate for siting a refinery for gasoline or other fuel. Designates the Department of Energy as the lead agency for coordinating applicable federal refinery authorizations and related environmental reviews with respect to a designated refinery.
Amends the Clean Air Act to: (1) exclude from the definition of the term "air pollutant" carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, or sulfur hexafluoride; and (2) declare that nothing in the Act shall be treated as authorizing or requiring the regulation of climate change or global warming.
Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal provisions prohibiting any federal agency from entering into a contract for procurement of an alternative or synthetic fuel for any mobility-related use, other than for research or testing, unless the contract specifies that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and combustion of the fuel must be less than or equal to such emissions from the equivalent conventional fuel.
Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to authorize the Secretary of Energy to use amounts in the Nuclear Waste Fund to make competitive grants to enter into long-term contracts with private sector entities for the recycling of spent nuclear fuel. Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to complete a rulemaking establishing a process for licensing by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, of facilities for the recycling of spent nuclear fuel. Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to provide that the receipt and disbursements of the Nuclear Waste Fund shall not be counted as new budget authority, outlays, receipts, or deficits or surplus for purposes of the executive budget, the congressional budget, or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) (thereby moving the Fund off-budget).
Amends the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 to repeal the prohibition on using certain funds to issue regulations for: (1) a commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public lands; or (2) an oil shale lease sale.
