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Gerald Ford on Energy & Oil
President of the U.S., 1974-1977; Republican Rep. (MI)
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Need more oil and gas production in comprehensive program
Q: [to Carter]: There seems to be a difference between you and the President on the use of nuclear power plants, which you would use as a last priority. CARTER: We're gonna run out of oil. We now import about 44% of our oil. We need to shift from oil
to coal. We need to concentrate our on coal burning and extraction, with safer mines, but also clean burning. We need to shift very strongly toward solar energy and have strict conservation measures. And then as a last resort only, use atomic power.
FORD: In 1975 I submitted to Congress the first comprehensive energy program recommended by any president. It called for an increase in the production of energy in the United States. If you're going to increase domestic oil and gas production--and we
have to--you have to give those producers an opportunity to develop their land or their wells. I think you have to have greater oil and gas production, more coal production, more nuclear production, and in addition you have to have energy conservation.
Source: The First Carter-Ford Presidential Debate
, Sep 23, 1976
No gas tax increase to solve energy crisis
Even after the Arab oil embargo of 1973, Congress failed to see the need for a comprehensive energy policy. There seemed to be only 3 broad options available to meet this serious threat to our economic stability.- Increase our domestic supply of
energy
- Conserve and manage energy demand
- Establish standby emergency programs similar to the gas rationing.
It would be difficult to persuade Congress to move on any of these fronts. The head of the Federal Energy
Administration believed that one of the "obvious" solutions to the energy problem was an increase in the gasoline excise tax of about 20 cents per gallon. When reporters asked me if I agreed with him, I replied that I thought it was the wrong approach.
Not only was the idea impractical--Congress would never pass such a tax--it was also inequitable, because if would place the full burden of conservation on the purchasers of gasoline. So it was not going to be included in the energy package.
Source: A Time To Heal, by Gerald Ford, p.228-229
, Jan 15, 1975
Higher taxes on oil to reduce imports
I turned my attention to the speeches I was scheduled to give on the economy and the energy crisis. I would urge the imposition of higher taxes on both imported & domestic oil and natural gas to encourage the conservation of fuel. The levies would reduce
our projected oil imports by about 1 million barrels a day by the end of 1975 and 2 million barrels a day by the end of 1977. The revenues from these new taxes would flow back into the economy in the form of additional tax cuts and credits and payments
to the poor. I was well aware that this plan contained risks. The increased taxes on energy could boost inflation by hiking the cost of oil and could deflate the economy by leaving industry with less money to spend in other areas. But I would have to
accept these risks.
[In the State of the Union speech], "America needs a new direction," I concluded, "a change of course which will put the unemployed back to work, increase real income and production, and achieve energy independence."
Source: A Time To Heal: The Autobiography of Gerald Ford, p.230-233
, Jan 13, 1975
Require oil marketing to independent contractors
Rep. Ford sponsored H.R.8341: The Independent Oil Marketers Supply Act:- Provides that no refiner who was in the business of furnishing any petroleum product to controlled marketers for resale or sale to the public shall fail to offer to supply
that product to independent marketers at reasonable prices in reasonable quantities, as long as he continues to furnish that product to controlled marketers.
- Violations of this Act shall be deemed to be an unfair act or practice in commerce.
Source: Bill sponsorship archives from the Library of Congress
, Jun 4, 1973
Let Big Three automakers collaborate on reducing emissions
Rep. Ford sponsored H.R.4942: Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Acceleration Act:- Permits a limited exemption to the antitrust laws which would allow motor vehicle manufacturers to enter into any contract or other arrangement for the purpose of
developing motor vehicle engines and devices which will meet or exceed standards which relate to the control of motor vehicle emissions.
- Authorizes procedures to be followed by manufacturers in entering into such contracts through Dec. 31, 1975.
Source: Bill sponsorship archives from the Library of Congress
, Feb 28, 1973
Page last updated: Apr 28, 2013
