Jim Risch on Energy & Oil Republican Jr Senator; previously Governor

Yucca Mountain is the proper site for nuclear waste

A: Yes.

Q: Would you vote to oppose removing the designation of Yucca Mountain as the site for the temporary storage of nuclear waste?

A: Yes. Yucca Mtn is the proper site for this material.

Drill offshore; drill ANWR; drill for oil shale

A: Yes.

Q: Would you vote to oppose restrictions that would limit access to and exploration of oil shale in the western United States?

A: Yes.

Q: Would you vote to allow environmentally responsible exploration and production in the portion of Alaska called ANWR, which is estimated to hold 10 billion barrels of oil?

A: Yes.

No cap-&-trade; include India & China in carbon restrictions

A: Yes. Based on scientific study, yes.

Q: Would you vote for a provision in climate change legislation requiring our international competitors, such as India and China, to adopt similar restrictions prior to the U.S. legislation being fully implemented?

A: Yes.

We're running out of oil; we must drill our way through this

LaRocco responded, "We could create 14,000 new jobs in Idaho just by embracing new types of energy."

Rammell added, "I'm so sick & tired of global warming. If we continue to support this lie that global warming is going to destroy this world, we're going to destroy our economy."

25x25 policy: reduce fossil fuel use 25% over 25 years

A: As Governor I was one of the first in the nation to sign onto the 25x25 policy to reduce fossil fuel use 25% over 25 years. Congress is already in the process of attempting to reduce CO2 gasses. My greatest concern is how to most effectively reduce CO2 production in a manner sensitive to the economic risks and reaction that will impact the quality of life of the citizens as well.

Increase supply for short-term; alternatives for long-term

A: We must develop a comprehensive plan that addresses the energy supply shortages in both the short and long term. That plan must address all areas of energy, not just gasoline and diesel fuels. The US imports about 60% of its oil, yet we have declined to tap potential oil and gas fields within our own borders. In the short term we must increase the supply and not depend so heavily on foreign government-supplied oil. In the long-term, we must invest in clean coal technology, nuclear energy, and alternative forms of energy. Energy efficiency must also play a major role in an energy plan. This will not happen overnight, but the longer we put off action, the longer Idahoans will suffer under shortsighted policies.

Tap domestic potential in ANWR and continental shelf

Comprehensive policy with nuclear, clean coal & alternatives

A: I believe we need a comprehensive, long term energy policy. A policy that that includes nuclear, clean coal, domestic oil, solar, wind and other forms of "alternative" energy.

Opt out of EPA mercury program; no coal plants in Idaho

Let states lease energy rights on federal lands.

Congressional Summary:Authorizes a state to establish a program covering the leasing and permitting processes, regulatory requirements, and any other provisions by which the state would exercise its rights to develop all forms of energy resources on available federal land in the state.

Proponent`s argument for bill: (The Heritage Foundation): This important piece of legislation would allow state control of energy resources on federal lands. America has harnessed technological advances in recent years in drilling and extracting energy resources that have caused a surge in domestic oil and gas in several areas of the country. Most of that production has occurred on private and state-owned lands, not federal lands where output has been on decline. The benefits of transferring power to the states over their own energy decisions: States have an interest in both boosting their economies by tapping into the energy resources available to them and protecting the environment. More importantly, they are best suited to fulfill these two goals, not the federal government.

Opponent`s argument against bill:(The Wilderness Society): Oil and gas development can do serious damage to wildlands and waters, especially when it takes place in sensitive areas. The federal government began leasing public lands for energy development in 1920. We see energy development as a valid use of some public lands, but there are some wild places that must be protected. We work to ensure that the most stringent environmental precautions are applied when oil and gas development occurs on our public lands and that development does not happen in fragile wild areas. The Wilderness Society also makes sure that our most ecologically sensitive areas, such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, remain permanently off limits to oil and gas companies.

Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025.

A resolution that it is the goal of the United States that, not later than January 1, 2025, the agricultural, forestry, and working land of the US should provide from renewable resources not less than 25% of the total energy consumed and continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber. [Governors also signed letters of endorsement at www.25x25.org]

Rep. SALAZAR: `Our resolution establishes a national goal of producing 25% of America`s energy from renewable sources--like solar, wind and biofuels--by 2025. The `25x`25` vision is widely endorsed, bold, and fully attainable. If implemented, it would dramatically improve our energy security, our economy, and our ability to protect the environment.

`I am pleased that more than 20 of my colleagues in the Senate, from both sides of the aisle, are cosponsoring this resolution. In addition, the `25x`25` vision has been endorsed by 22 current and former governors and several State legislatures across the country. The Big Three automobile manufacturers--Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors--are all behind `25x`25` So are many agricultural organizations, environmental groups, scientists, and businesses, ranging from the Natural Resources Defense Council to John Deere.

`These Americans understand that we cannot continue to import 60% of our oil from foreign countries, many of which are hostile to the US, if we aim to be strong and secure in the world. They know that we will have to build a clean energy economy if we are to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. It is time for Congress to take a more active role in our clean energy future. Establishing a national goal--`25x`25` is the first step.`

Allow horizontal drilling into Alaska's Coastal Plain.

No Surface Occupancy Western Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act: Authorizes exploration, leasing, development, and production of oil and gas from the Western Coastal Plain.
• Defines the Western Coastal Plain as the area of Coastal Plain: (1) that borders the land of Alaska to the west and Alaska offshore waters of the Beaufort Sea on the north; and (2) from which the Secretary of the Interior finds oil and gas can be produced through horizontal drilling or other subsurface technology from sites outside or underneath the Coastal Plain surface.
• Authorizes the Secretary to establish a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in an environmentally sound program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources of the Western Coastal Plain.
• Considers such program to be compatible with the purposes for which the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was established.
• Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish lease sale procedures; and (2) offer for lease those tracts the Secretary considers to have the greatest potential for the discovery of hydrocarbons.
• Prescribes a scheme for the allocation of revenues produced by bonus, rental, and royalty revenues from the federal oil and gas leasing and operations authorized under this Act, requiring 50% to be paid semiannually to the state of Alaska, and the remainder to designated federal entities.