Rand Paul on Energy and the Environment

Summary

Rand Paul does not believe in man-made global warming. He is opposed to cap-and-trade and called the it a scam conceived by "petty dictators" such as Hugo Chavez to end capitalism (as stated by Chavez). He supports coal mining in Kentucky and opposes using the EPA to enforce greenhouse emissions. 

 

Climate Change about ending capitalism

In the victory speech for the 2010 Senate primary, Dr. Paul spoke about his belief that the global warming scare is really about ending capitalism as Hugo Chavez and others have stated (about 3:30 into clip). He states that by going to Copenhagen to attend a climate change conference, President Obama lends credence to the idea of global warming.

 

Opposition to cap and trade

In a November 2009 press release, Dr. Paul states his opposition to cap and trade.

Stopping Cap and Trade

Published on 13 November 2009 by David Adams in General News

Rand Paul has crossed the state talking to Kentuckians about how important it is to end Obama’s “Cap and Trade” effort to destroy the coal industry and cause energy costs to skyrocket for everyone. Many, many times, Rand has said “I am absolutely opposed to Cap and Trade.”

The good news is this radical bill is languishing in the U.S. Senate, thanks mostly to Republican opposition. Nevertheless, Rand encourages his supporters to keep the pressure on to keep this bad idea under wraps.

In a 2010 discussion with the Courier-journal, Rand Paul was asked about cap-and-trade and responded as follows:

 

Support for coal

In an August 2009 press release, Dr. Paul stated his support for coal.

Supporting coal makes sense

Published on 10 August 2009 by David Adams in General News

Dr. Rand Paul will fight efforts in Washington D.C. to destroy Kentucky’s coal industry. Rand understands that banning construction of new coal-fired power plants in the United States while China and India keep building serves only to hurt Americans and would have no impact on world pollution.

The Al Gore wing of environmentalism is primarily concerned with expanding the scope of government. Kentucky’s coal-producing families can best protect themselves by joining with the liberty movement and supporting smaller government across the board. Liberty-loving Kentuckians should in turn support coal as a key energy source and economic engine for America’s prosperity.

In a March 2010 press release, Dr. Paul reasserted his support for coal and controlling the involvement of the EPA.

Rand for coal

Published on 16 March 2010 by David Adams in General News

Rand Paul will speak at a pro-coal rally in Louisville on Thursday, March 18 at Jefferson Square Park. That’s at the corner of 6th and Jefferson downtown. The rally starts at 10 am ET.

Rand supports lifting EPA holds on mining permits, stopping anti-coal legislation like cap and trade, and helping Kentuckians in non-coal counties realize that coal is a very important part of our energy future.

 

Opposition to EPA regulation

In a campaign speech in Grayson county (7:00 into speech), Dr. Paul stated the unconstitutionality of an unelected government agency (EPA) enforcing a law that doesn't exist by stating that it would regulate greenhouse gases without a law.

 

Campaign Website Statements

 

Voting Record

Oil Company and Alternative Energy Subsidies

On March 29, 2012 the Senate voted on a cloture motion on legislation to end subsidies to oil companies and to continue subsidies in alternative energy that are scheduled to end. Specifically, the bill would have ended or limited subsidies to oil and natural gas companies while extending subsides for wind companies and biofuel companies. The legislation failed to pass a cloture motion through a mostly party line vote. Rand Paul voted against the legislationt to end oil subsidies.

Keystone Pipeline Approval

In March of 2012, the Senate voted on an amendment proposed by Senator Hoeven to approve the Keystone pipeline project. The amendment passed 56-42 with the support of all Republicans and 1/5 of the Democrats. Rand Paul voted in favor of approving the Keystone Pipeline project.

Keystone Pipeline - Presidential Waiver

In March of 2012, the Senate voted on an amendment proposed by Senator Wyden to prohibit oil produced in Canada and transported in any part of the Keystone pipeline from being exported unless the President waived the provision. The amendment failed 33-65 with the opposition of all Republicans and 2/5 of the Democrats. Rand Paul voted against approving presidential waiver to the Keystone pipeline.

 

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

This representative has not been identified as sponsoring or cosponsoring significant legislation related to this title.

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