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Tulsi Gabbard on Energy & Oil
Democratic Presidential Challenger; HI Rep.
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Off Fossil Fuel Act: plan to deal with climate change
Long before there was ever a Green New Deal, I introduced the most ambitious climate change legislation ever in Congress called the Off Fossil Fuels Act. That actually laid out an actionable plan to take us from where we are
today to transition off of fossil fuels and invest in green renewable energy, invest in workforce training, invest in the kinds of infrastructure that we need to deal with the problems and the challenges that climate is posing to us today.
Source: July Democratic Primary debate (second night in Detroit)
, Jul 31, 2019
Ban fracking
Gabbard on Fossil Fuels vs. Renewable Energy: Ban fracking. 11 CANDIDATES HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS: Cory Booker; Peter Buttigieg; Bill de Blasio; Kirsten Gillibrand; Jay Inslee; Wayne Messam; Bernard Sanders; Eric Swalwell;Tom Steyer;
Elizabeth Warren; Marianne Williamson.The rise of fracking has enabled energy companies to produce vast amounts of oil and gas from shale rock formations, but the process remains controversial because of the use of chemicals to crack the rock.
Source: Politico "2020Dems on the Issues"
, Jul 17, 2019
2017: Short-sighted to withdraw from Paris Climate Accord
Q: As president, would you keep the US in the Paris Agreement?Ms. Gabbard's campaign responded with a 2017 statement: "President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, making us just one of three countries in the world not to
participate, is short-sighted and irresponsible. Without global action to drastically curb carbon pollution, climate change threatens the safety and security of the planet, especially in places like Hawaii where we are already experiencing its
devastating effects. The US should be leading by example, leveraging innovation through science and technology, investing in clean energy, creating renewable energy jobs that cannot be outsourced, growing the economy, enhancing U.S. energy independence,
and lowering energy costs for families and businesses, while reducing carbon emissions. We must continue to persevere and do our part to support efforts in the private sector and at all levels of government to combat climate change."
Source: 2019 "Meet the Candidates" (NY Times.com)
, Apr 18, 2019
OFF Fossil Fuels: retrofit homes & fund new technology
Q: Do you support a federal carbon tax?Gabbard: My OFF Fossil Fuels Act (H.R. 3671) would take the fossil-fuel tax credits that are repealed and create the OFF Fossil Fuels Fund, including low-income weatherization and retrofit assistance, electric
vehicle rebate program for consumers, extension of tax credits for wind and solar energy, and environmental justice provisions for a clean energy future.
Q: Do you support increasing federal funding for clean-energy research?
Gabbard: My OFF
Fossil Fuels Act states that we must invest in early-stage proof-of-concept technologies. The U.S. National Laboratories are centers of basic scientific research already working on technology programs such as grid modernization and security, battery
storage, solar and wind technology efficiency. Focus on investing in early-stage breakthrough energy technologies. Funding these technologies could lead to innovations that could dramatically change how energy is generated, stored and distributed."
Source: 2019 "Meet the Candidates" (NY Times.com)
, Apr 18, 2019
Mixed score on "350 Action's 2020 Climate Test"
The environmental group 350 Action released a candidate scorecard known as the 2020 Climate Test to assess presidential hopefuls on three major metrics: support for a Green New Deal, opposition to new fossil fuel development and refusal to accept money
from energy companies. [Candidates supporting all three issues]: - Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)
- Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT)
- Sen. Elizabeth Warren (MA)
Four candidates have supported two of 350 Action's three benchmarks.-
Sen. Cory Booker (NJ)
- Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI)
- Gov. Jay Inslee (WA)
- Andrew Yang (CA)
Three candidates have failed all three of 350 Action's tests, attacking the Green New Deal or making no firm pledges to work against fossil fuel companies.
- Donald Trump (NY)
- Former Rep. John Delaney (Md.)--Does not support the Green New Deal.
- Former Gov. John Hickenlooper (Colo.)--Does not support the Green New Deal.
Source: Mother Jones, "On Climate," on 2020 Presidential Hopefuls
, Mar 27, 2019
Address climate change; US must lead worldwide effort
This really needs to happen at the national level, and it needs to happen at the global level. Even if we made the kind of change we need to see, the radical change we want to
see here in this country, to completely get off of fossil fuels and invest in green economy and sustainable infrastructure and make the kinds of changes we want to see, that still will not have enough of an impact.
This is why it's so important that we have relationships with these other countries that are based on cooperation, so that we can talk about how we can protect our environment,
how we can protect our future. If we can't have those conversations, then there's no possibility for progress there.
Source: CNN Town Hall on 2020 Democratic presidential primary
, Mar 10, 2019
Silent on Green New Deal; supports push for renewables
Green New Deal: No stated position but proposed a bill in
2017 to transition to 100% renewable energy to generate electricity by 2035.
Source: Axios.com "What you need to know about 2020"
, Mar 10, 2019
No more fossil fuels for electricity by 2050
One of the most aggressive pieces of climate change legislation in Congress, Gabbard's "OFF Fuels for a Better Future Act" would mandate a dramatic move away from fossil fuels. The plan would require electric utilities to use 80 percent renewable
resources by 2027 and 100 percent by 2035. In addition, it would set similar goals for car emissions, mandating zero emissions by 2050. Finally, it would end all subsidies and tax breaks for fossil fuels and it would ban fracking.
Source: PBS News hour on 2020 Presidential hopefuls
, Jan 14, 2019
Tax incentives for wind, solar, biomass and wave energy
I will work to ensure that Hawai`i becomes the destination of choice for green energy startups, including wind, solar, biomass and wave energy technology. As a Congressional representative, I will work to provide tax and
other incentives for green and high technology businesses to locate here. Such industries would not only provide good jobs for our people, but will help us achieve greater energy self-sufficiency.
Source: 2012 House campaign website, votetulsi.com, "Issues"
, Nov 6, 2012
Supports regulating greenhouse gas emissions.
Gabbard supports the PVS survey question on greenhouse gases
Project Vote Smart infers candidate issue stances on key topics by summarizing public speeches and public statements. Congressional candidates are given the opportunity to respond in detail; about 11% did so in the 2012 races.
Project Vote Smart summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: 'Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?'
Source: Project Vote Smart 12-PVS-q18 on Aug 30, 2012
Voted YES on banning offshore oil drilling in Gulf of Mexico.
Gabbard voted YEA Interior & Environment Agencies Appropriations
Congressional Summary: House amendment to H.R. 5538, the Interior & Environment Agencies Appropriations bill for FY 2017. This amendment would prohibit funds to be used to research, investigate, or study offshore drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
Heritage Foundation recommends voting NO: (7/13/2016): The Gulf of Mexico continues to be a very important asset for our energy future and it continues to produce significant amounts of oil and natural gas. Yet the Eastern Gulf of Mexico has not participated to this point despite its significant potential. A 2014 Heritage Foundation report said: "Excessive regulations and bureaucratic inefficiencies have stymied oil production and prevented the full effects of the energy boom." This amendment would block any potential progress that could take place by preventing the necessary work that would need to be prepared in the East Gulf for potential lease sales and eventual
production.
Sierra Club recommends voting YES: (1/12/1974): The Sierra Club believes that no offshore petroleum exploration should occur unless and until the following conditions are met:
- Strengthen the Coastal Zone Management System.
- Lease sales should be prohibited in areas that possess:
- High seismic activity
- Fragile or unstable geological structures
- Proximity to particularly diverse or productive marine ecosystems, or marine sanctuaries
- Where visual impact of offshore structures would significantly reduce aesthetic values
- Where the risks are unusually high.
- Petroleum exploration and production must be subject to automatic, heavy fines for all oil spills regardless of cause.
- The Sierra Club opposes leasing of lands beyond 200 meters depth until international agreements [define] ownership of sea floor resources.
Legislative outcome: Failed House 185 to 243 (no Senate vote).
Source: Supreme Court case 16-H5538B argued on Jul 13, 2016
Page last updated: Dec 14, 2019