Raja Krishnamoorthi on Energy & Oil

All-of-the-above policy to lower energy costs

A: The cost of living is squeezing working families across Illinois, and Washington has made it worse. First, I will work to lower energy and utility costs by pursuing a reasonable, all-of-the-above energy policy that keeps reliable power online, protects energy independence, and brings down gas and electricity bills. Second, I'll work to lower health care costs by increasing price transparency, boosting competition, enhancing consumer choice and eliminating taxpayer-funded waste and fraud that drive up costs for working families. Third, I will work to reduce inflation and taxes by cutting waste, fraud, and inefficiency in federal spending, cutting regulations that unjustifiably raise prices, and supporting small businesses, manufacturers, and farmers.

The time for America's clean energy future is now

Now is the time to act to combat this global threat in a smart way that saves our environment while preserving and creating jobs. America, in concert with other countries, must work to reverse the damage being done to the global environment.

Supports federally developing renewable energy.

The Project Vote Smart Voter Guide inferred how candidates would respond to the question, 'Energy: Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?' Project Vote Smart notes, `in response to the increasing unwillingness of candidates to answer issue questions, Project Vote Smart has researched Congressional candidates` public records to determine candidates` likely responses on certain key issues. These issue positions, from the year 2016, are provided [for candidates who] refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2016 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests. Historically, candidates have failed to complete our test due to the advice they receive from their parties and advisors and out of fear of negative attack ads.`

Supports regulation of greenhouse gas emission.

The Project Vote Smart Voter Guide inferred how candidates would respond to the question, 'Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?' Project Vote Smart notes, `in response to the increasing unwillingness of candidates to answer issue questions, Project Vote Smart has researched Congressional candidates` public records to determine candidates` likely responses on certain key issues. These issue positions, from the year 2016, are provided [for candidates who] refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2016 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests. Historically, candidates have failed to complete our test due to the advice they receive from their parties and advisors and out of fear of negative attack ads.`

Voted YES to assist rural electric renewable energy.

Congressional Summary:This bill requires the Department of Energy to award grants to assist rural electric cooperatives with identifying, evaluating, and designing energy storage and microgrid projects that rely on renewable energy. (A microgrid is a group of interconnected energy resources that acts as a single controllable entity and that can disconnect from the grid to operate in island mode.)

SciPol statement in support: HR4447 would establish a microgrid grant and technical assistance program for rural electric cooperatives. Rural electric cooperatives are non-profit consumer-owned electric cooperatives that came into being in the 1930s to serve the needs of rural areas otherwise ignored by investor-owned (for-profit) utilities. Most rural electric power is still provided by rural electric co-ops.

Trump`s Statement of Administration Policy (against): HR 4447 would implement a top-down approach that undermines the Administration`s deregulatory agenda. HR 4447 would lead to higher energy costs and discourage innovation. It would create a `green bank` that would subsidize projects similar to wellknown failures like Solyndra. Finally, HR 4447 would interfere with our own energy destiny free from the reins of the Paris Climate Accord and international organizations that ignore the clear lessons that have led to American energy independence.

Common Dreams (against): Over 100 groups--including major environmental, climate and progressive organizations--oppose HR 4447. The heaviest burdens of the climate crisis fall on low-income communities and communities of color. `We applaud the environmental justice measures in this bill, but cannot support legislation that extends our country`s reliance upon fossil fuels,` said the Executive Director of the Progressive Democrats of America.

Legislative outcome: Passed House 220-185-24, Roll #206 on Sep. 24, 2020.