State of Massachusetts Archives: on Energy & Oil
Ayanna Pressley:
We need to encourage renewable energy
In Congress, I will push to rejoin the Paris Climate Accords, invest in renewable energy production, and develop resilient infrastructure. In addition to protecting our environment, these
investments can be a boon for workers--creating thousands of new jobs in technology, manufacturing, and construction.
Source: 2018 MA 7th House campaign website AyannaPressley.com
Jul 4, 2018
Ed Markey:
Simply unneeded to subsidize oil industry
Markey said the nation should end tax breaks for oil companies and other corporations. "Subsidizing the oil industry is like subsidizing a fish to swim and a bird to fly," Markey said. "You simply don't have to do it."Markey and Gomez split on the
proposed Keystone XL Pipeline, which would bring oil from Canada to Texas. Gomez said the project would create jobs, while Markey said the US would end up bearing all the environmental risk while the oil itself is dumped onto the international market.
Source: Boston Herald on 2013 MA Senate debates
Jun 11, 2013
Gabriel Gomez:
Keystone XL project brings jobs
Markey said the nation should end tax breaks for oil companies and other corporations. "Subsidizing the oil industry is like subsidizing a fish to swim and a bird to fly," Markey said. "You simply don't have to do it."Markey and Gomez split on the
proposed Keystone XL Pipeline, which would bring oil from Canada to Texas. Gomez said the project would create jobs, while Markey said the US would end up bearing all the environmental risk while the oil itself is dumped onto the international market.
Source: Boston Herald on 2013 MA Senate debates
Jun 11, 2013
Jeff Beatty:
Opposed gas tax hikes; roll-back gasoline prices
His message on the economy, he says, ought to resonate among such working, middle-class voters. He wants to cut taxes, roll-back gasoline prices and trim government spending.He said that, in contrast, his opponent is a globe-trotter who has proposed
gas tax hikes.
"He doesn't get it," said Mr. Beatty, who is retired from a career in the US Army, CIA and FBI and running a small security business. "He doesn't have any contact with the lives most of us lead. I'm a proud member of the middle class."
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette on 2008 MA Senate Debate
Apr 2, 2008
Jeff Beatty:
Should have drilled ANWR 10 years ago; so drill now
Q: Is there any way your plan or your policies would diverge from John McCain's?A: Sure. First of all, we were out there before he came up with his proposal. Second, he was not for drilling in ANWR. But I'm not running against John McCain,
I'm running against John Kerry. Contrast me to John Kerry. John Kerry doesn't want to drill in ANWR, doesn't want to drill off the coast. If you drill off the coast, that oil becomes available within two years.
It's supply and demand, it's the most simple rule of economics.
John Kerry says no to ANWR--you know why? He says because it will take ten years before any of that oil comes online. I said, ‘OK, what if we had done it ten years ago? You've been in the
Senate all this time. Did you not look down the road and see that we were going to need to be in control of our own destiny, not at the mercy of a Middle Eastern country who, whether they decided to pump more gas or not, we would have to go begging for?
Source: Dedham Times Interview on 2008 MA Senate Debate
Jul 16, 2008
Jeff Beatty:
Additional drilling has to be part of the solution
Beatty said he is all for developing alternative energy sources and electric- and hydrogen-powered cars, but he said additional drilling for domestic oil has to be part of the solution.Beatty said he supports the proposed additional drilling in
Alaska's ANWR wildlife preserve; drilling off the coast of the US; and Sen. John McCain's call for a temporary suspension of the federal 18 cents per gallon gasoline tax.
Source: Attleboro Sun Chronicle on 2008 MA Senate Debate
Jul 30, 2008
Kerry Healey:
I like wind energy, but Cape Wind is a bad idea
Cape Wind is a bad idea, it's in the wrong place. I love renewable energy and I like wind energy, but it's in the wrong place and it's going to hurt our fishing industry and that's why I oppose it.
Source: 2006 MA Gubernatorial debate on Fox News with Chris Wallace
Sep 25, 2006
Martha Coakley:
Supports national cap-and-trade system, plus renewables
Has called climate change the "most pressing issue of our time."
She has proposed a plan she feels will reduce the country's dependence on fossil fuels that includes a national cap-and-trade system and providing incentives to spur renewable energy development.
Source: Nancy Reardon, Quincy Patriot-Ledger: 2010 MA Senate debate
Jan 14, 2010
Scott Brown:
Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology
Rep. Brown indicated he supports the following principles regarding the environment and energy. Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology. Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated,
unused or abandoned. Q: Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
A: Yes.Q: Should state environmental regulations be stricter than federal law?
A: No.
Source: 2002 MA Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2002
Scott Brown:
Opposes cap-and-trade system, but renewables OK
Does not believe climate change is entirely man-made.
Opposes a cap-and-trade program, feeling it would create higher costs for families and businesses, but backs what he calls "reasonable and appropriate" development of wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal energy.
Source: Nancy Reardon, Quincy Patriot-Ledger: 2010 MA Senate debate
Jan 14, 2010
Scott Brown:
Cap-and-trade is a national energy tax
At their last debate, Scott Brown blasted his Democratic opponent, Attorney General Martha Coakley, for supporting cap-and-trade: "You're in favor of cap and trade, which is a national energy tax," Brown said to Coakley."It's not a tax,"
Coakley replied.
"It's a tax," Brown insisted.
Senate Democrats support cap and trade. I asked Brown about his opposition to it last month, at a campaign stop in Medfield. "If we don't use cap and trade, how do we reduce emissions?"
I wondered.
"You can reduce by conservation, wind, solar, hydroelectric, nuclear," Brown told me. "You can provide a total package and let people have different avenues and different ways to heat and light their businesses.
How does government enforce that? They have their hands in pretty much everything. I'm sure there'll be a role for government--and at some point, government needs to get out of the way, as well."
Source: WBUR article on 2010 MA Senate debate
Jan 18, 2010
Sonia Chang-Diaz:
Supports green public transportation
She's also been a leading champion for fair taxation, affordable housing,
reliable and green public transportation, and protections for immigrants.
Source: 2021 MA Governor campaign website SoniaChangDiaz.com
Aug 30, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026