“Unfortunately, some in the Republican Party are embracing the radical environmental ideas of the liberal left. As governor, I found that thoughtful environmentalism need not be anti-growth and anti-jobs.”
“Unfortunately, some in the Republican Party are embracing the radical environmental ideas of the liberal left. As governor, I found that thoughtful environmentalism need not be anti-growth and anti-jobs. But Kyoto-style sweeping mandates, imposed unilaterally in the United States, would kill jobs, depress growth and shift manufacturing to the dirtiest developing nations.
“Republicans should never abandon pro-growth conservative principles in an effort to embrace the ideas of Al Gore. Instead of sweeping mandates, we must use America's power of innovation to develop alternative sources of energy and new technologies that use energy more efficiently.”
“I adopt what I call no regrets policies. Policies that will allow us to become energy independent and will have as one of their by-products, reduction of the CO2 that we emit, the greenhouse gases that we emit. So let me tell you the kinds of things that I'd like to do.
“With regards to our developing more energy, I want to see us use more of our renewable resources: bio-diesel, bio-fuel, ethanol, cellulosic ethanol. I want to see us developing liquefied coal if we can sequester the CO2 properly. I want to see nuclear power. I want to see us develop our own oil off-shore, and in Anwar. Let's develop all the sources we can to provide for our own energy needs and free ourselves of independence on Ahmadinejad, and Chavez and Putin and others that have that oil today.
“Just put that in context. We spent about $430 billion last year in our defense budget. That doesn't account for the Iraq war... Russia last year sold about $500 billion worth of oil. It's a huge strategic imperative for us to become energy independent, and not to be putting money in the hands of people who don't like us that much.
“On the other side of the equation, in addition to developing our energy, we have to be more efficient in our use of it. And that means more fuel efficient vehicles. It means more energy efficient homes. The combination of more efficiency and the generation of more domestic-sourced energy will allow us to become energy independent. And we do need an Apollo type project. A Manhattan style project where we put in place the funding necessary to seriously get on track to becoming truly energy independent. And that has as the benefit, of reducing our emissions of CO2.”
“We need to initiate a bold, far-reaching research initiative -- an energy revolution -- that will be our generation's equivalent of the Manhattan Project or the mission to the moon. It will be a mission to create new, economical sources of clean energy and clean ways to use the sources we have now. We will license our technology to other nations, and, of course, we will employ it at home. It will be good for our national defense, it will be good for our foreign policy, and it will be good for our economy. Moreover, even as scientists still debate how much human activity impacts the environment, we can all agree that alternative energy sources will be good for the planet. For any and all of these reasons, the time for energy independence has come.”
Newt Gingrich is Romney's main challenger for the nomination.
In February 2007, Mitt Romney stated: “Unfortunately, some in the Republican Party are embracing the radical environmental ideas of the liberal left... Republicans should never abandon pro-growth conservative principles in an effort to embrace the ideas of Al Gore.”
In March 2008, Newt Gingrich was featured at a green conference where he stated we need to act to stop global warming, and if you don't care about global warming you should not be allowed to hold public office, that people on the right have been anti-environment, and that he favors sweeping changes to deal with global warming that includes using tax policy and price fixing.
Gingrich said these changes would include huge subsidies and unfunded tax breaks to help keep green companies in business in the U.S. Although he didn't mention Solyndra by name, he specifically mentioned that it was 'really stupid' that we ended such a program to help solar panel companies continue with large projects in the U.S.
Highlights:
(Following which are videos with Nancy Pelosi and John Kerry supporting the Global Warming Agenda, and examples of two decades of global warming activism.)
Newt Gingrich: “It is probable that carbon is a risk, and I argue in ‘Contract with the Earth’ that because I'm a conservative in the traditional sense, which means avoiding stupid risks, I think we should lower the carbon impact on the planet, because the truth is, we don't know for sure.”
“I think we should behave as though global warming is a threat. And I think we should limit the carbon loading of the atmosphere as an act of prudence.”
“I happen to agree with this... I think that's right, if somebody says to you, I don't care about the environment, you have to wonder if you should allow them to be in public office... You ought to care about Global Warming, and I may argue with you about what the solution is, but if you don't care about it, I don't want you in public office!”
“I think for the last 30 years we have gone down the trail where you had people on the right who were anti-environment.”
“And so I think there is a better way... I wrote the book ‘Contract with the Earth’ to make out the case that you can have a green conservatism... It's through tax policy, It's through establishing prices, It's through a variety of steps.
Moderator: “Newt, let me again just read a quote from your book. It says, you talk about, ‘Think globally and act locally’ ... So talk about that in the context of how this country ought to deal with the problem, which is sort of broad and honking-- if you subscribe to that view, as global warming.”
Gingrich: “I favor sweeping change. But I prefer doing it through the tax code. So I would have tax credits and other incentives... If you will tell me what you think cap-and-trade will change in terms of the variable cost of carbon, I'd be happy to have a tax credit for eliminating the use of carbon that was exactly the same economic effect... If you really wanted to accelerate the adoption of hybrids, make half the cost differential a tax credit.”
Moderator: “And you would fund that through a carbon tax?”
Gingrich: “No, I wouldn't worry about funding it right now.”
“The federal government ought to offer a huge, huge, in the half a billion to billion dollar range, subsidy to three metropolitan areas... We will create a hydrogen distribution system.”
Moderator: “Indeed California has tried this. They call it the hydrogen highway.”
Gingrich: “That is a step in the right direction.”
“The congress and the president have allowed the solar power tax credit to end... [Now] the next six facilities by the same company will be built in Spain... I shouldn't have used the word stupid earlier because it is a strong word and probably inappropriate, but this is an example of being really stupid... Here's something fairly simple: Pass a 30 year tax credit that doesn't have a problem...”
Newt Gingrich and Nancy Pelosi in April 2008 "We Can Solve It" Global Warming ad campaign sponsored by former Vice President Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection:
Nancy Pelosi: “We don’t always see eye to eye, do we, Newt?”
Newt Gingrich: “No, But we do agree our country must take action to address climate change.”
Newt then asks people demand action from our leaders and Nancy says the needed action can be found at Al Gore's website wecansolveit.org
(For the first time since Europe passed their cap and trade law in 2005, a cap and trade law had been submitted in congress and would be debated and considered for vote in two months. This ad was attempting to get the cap and trade law to pass by asking people to demand action from congress and directing people to the website. The website instructed people that "We must... urge our leaders to pass [the] legislation".)
''Just seven months ago, Newt was asked if he would do the commercial all over again. His answer?''
Newt Gingrich and John Kerry in April 2007 urging Senate Republicans to get on board with solving Global Warming:
John Kerry: “I’m excited to hear you talk about the urgency — I really am. And given that — albeit you still sort of have a different approach — what would you say to Sen. Inhofe and to others in the Senate who are resisting even the science? What’s your message to them here today?”
Newt Gingrich: “My message I think is that the evidence is sufficient that we should move towards the most effective possible steps to reduce carbon-loading of the atmosphere.”
John Kerry: “And do it urgently, now!”
Newt Gingrich: “And do it urgently. Yes... I’m delighted to be here with Sen. Kerry.”
(April 10, 2007)
A complete capture of the highlights, including Newt Gingrich plugging John Kerry's Pro-Global Warming Agenda book 'This Moment on Earth', calling it a clearly right-wing reader:
(Note: When Gingrich said conservative environmentalism, and said do things through means such as incentivizing the market, he was referring to Cap-and-Trade [see PBS interview listed below], government subsidies in behalf of green companies, and other liberal environmental policies, but cloaking it in conservative double-talk, and calling it his innovative conservative approach. In the above video link, Kerry actually calls Gingrich out for proposing even a bigger government approach than the democrats thought was healthy, causing Gingrich to trip on his words and back-pedal.)
TWO DECADES OF ACTIVISM ON GLOBAL WARMING:
1989: Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-GA) co-sponsors the ambitious Global Warming Prevention Act (H.R. 1078), which finds that “the Earth’s atmosphere is being changed at an unprecedented rate by pollutants resulting from human activities, inefficient and wasteful fossil fuel use, and the effects of rapid population growth in many regions,” that “global warming imperils human health and well-being” and calls for policies “to reduce world emissions of carbon dioxide by at least 20 percent from 1988 levels by 2000.” The legislation recognizes that global warming is a “major threat to political stability, international security, and economic prosperity.” [H.R. 1078, 2/22/1989]
1997: As Speaker of the House, Gingrich co-sponsors H. Con. Res. 151, which notes carbon dioxide is a “major greenhouse gas” that comes from “products whose manufacture consumes fossil fuels” and states “that the United States should manage its public domain National Forests to maximize the reduction of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere among many other objectives and that the United States should serve as an example and as a world leader... that substantially reduces the amount of carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere.” [H. Con. Res. 151, 9/10/1997]
FRONTLINE: “What was it that convinced you that global warming was a real and pressing problem?”
Gingrich: “Oh, I think the weight of evidence over time that it's something that you ought to be careful about... it seems to me that the conservative approach should be to minimize the risk of a really catastrophic change.”
FRONTLINE: “And when did you come to that?”
Gingrich: “Well, I thought over the last eight or 10 years it was useful to move in that direction... Conservatives refuse to think about it. The left tends to come up with ideas that won't work and represent a value system that's not likely to be adopted, and you're caught in this kind of a model. I'm writing a book called Contract with the Earth precisely to break out of that dialogue. And to say that there should be, in the Theodore Roosevelt tradition, a science-and-technology, entrepreneurial, market-oriented, incentive-led system that solves things -- which we did to some extent. If you look at sulfur and the Clean Air Act of 1990, there was an amazing breakthrough. [A Cap-and-Trade law Gingrich also favors for coal and oil as noted later in the conversation] ...
“I would make the argument that the United States ought to take the lead worldwide in developing the technologies and in developing the techniques that dramatically reduce the carbon loading in the atmosphere, and we ought to do it for our own interests. The United States is the wealthiest and most successful country in the world...
“I would like to see us go to a real market in which we accelerate the incentive to get rid of carbon. ...
“Look, there are scientists who challenged the science. My conclusion is that you do not have to agree with the most hysterical interpretations to agree that, as a matter of prudence, we should minimize carbon loading of the atmosphere. ...”
FRONTLINE: “Were you saying that in 1995?”
Gingrich: “Yes -- I mean, I say it today...”
FRONTLINE: “In 2000, candidate George Bush pledged mandatory carbon caps; it was a campaign pledge. What did you think of it at the time? Were you for that?”
Gingrich: “I think if you have mandatory carbon caps combined with a trading system, much like we did with sulfur, and if you have a tax-incentive program for investing in the solutions, that there's a package there that's very, very good. And frankly, it's something I would strongly support.”
FRONTLINE: “He reversed that campaign pledge within months of taking office. Would we be in better shape today if he had kept that campaign pledge?”
Gingrich: “If he had instituted a regime that combined three things I just said -- mandatory caps, a trading system inside the caps, as we have with clean air, and a tax incentive to be able to invest in the new technology and to be able to produce the new technology -- I think we would be much better off than we are in the current situation. ...
“The caps, with a trading system, on sulfur has worked brilliantly because it has brought free-market attitudes... Americans get incentives... What we ought to be doing is inventing a whole series of breakthrough mechanisms that create incentives for people to have a better environmental outcome... If Bush had led that effort in 2001, or if somebody will lead that effort in 2007, we will get much further down the road than we're going to get with litigation and regulation. ...”
FRONTLINE: “Why do you think we have had three administrations who have not been able to deal with this issue on the federal level?”
Gingrich: “Because the left insists on pain, and the right insists on avoidance...
“I think that we're right at a tipping point where you could begin to imagine the development of an entirely new generation of systems; where you had a combination of a carbon cap with a trading system; you had prizes for the invention of major breakthroughs; you had incentives for investing in the new breakthroughs and accelerating their use and their development.”
OCT 2007: “More than any other issue, the environment requires consensus, or we risk a culture in which reactive forces neutralize every advance and remedy...
“We recognize that global climate change is supported by a wealth of scientific data derived from a diversity of measurement techniques...
“We are committed to protecting the earth from ALL current and future threats.” (emphasis added, pg 155, 189, 197 -- some of the few pages allowed in preview)
(Note: After saying global warming exists, Gingrich ran for office and no longer knows.
However, Newt Gingrich has never taken back his oft-stated view that whether we know global warming is occuring or not, we must act to prevent it.)
NEWT ON CAP-AND-TRADE:
FEB 15, 2007:
Gingrich: “I think if you have mandatory carbon caps combined with a trading system, much like we did with sulfur, and if you have a tax-incentive program for investing in the solutions, that there's a package there that's very, very good. And frankly, it's something I would strongly support.”
FRONTLINE: “In 2000, candidate George Bush pledged mandatory carbon caps; it was a campaign pledge... He reversed that campaign pledge within months of taking office. Would we be in better shape today if he had kept that campaign pledge?”
Gingrich: “If he had instituted a regime that combined three things I just said -- mandatory caps, a trading system inside the caps, as we have with clean air, and a tax incentive to be able to invest in the new technology and to be able to produce the new technology -- I think we would be much better off than we are in the current situation...
“The caps, with a trading system, on sulfur has worked brilliantly because it has brought free-market attitudes... Americans get incentives... What we ought to be doing is inventing a whole series of breakthrough mechanisms that create incentives for people to have a better environmental outcome... If Bush had led that effort in 2001, or if somebody will lead that effort in 2007, we will get much further down the road than we're going...”
“The right insists on avoidance... I think that we're right at a tipping point where you could begin to imagine the development of an entirely new generation of systems; where you had a combination of a carbon cap with a trading system... accelerating their use and their development.”
With a senate debate and vote pending on a major cap and trade bill, Al Gore starts an ad campaign featuring Newt Gingrich who says we must "demand action from our leaders", and Nancy Pelosi, who then directs people to a website that tells them to demand the legislation be passed:
April Fools marked the first full day of Al Gore's $300 million ad campaign featuring "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and former Speaker Newt Gingrich." The "campaign will amplify the calls of those asking the U.S. to join the rest of the industrialized world in cutting the six billion tons of carbon dioxide emitted... The European Union, since 2005, has done so with a 'cap and trade' system...
"A bill to establish a similar system for most emitting sectors in the United States, the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act (S. 2191), was approved by Sen. Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) Environment and Public Works Committee in December and is slated to reach the Senate floor in June."
Newt Gingrich is featured in the ad stating "Our country must take action to address climate change." and then asks people to "demand action from our leaders." Nancy Pelosi then tells people to "go to WeCanSolveIt.org." (see ad on this page)
The WeCanSolveIt.org site stated: "As individuals, we must urge leaders to make climate change a priority. We must speak up for what we believe in and urge our leaders to pass legislation that will dramatically reduce carbon emissions."
HEARING ON THE AMERICAN CLEAN ENERGY AND SECURITY ACT OF 2009
(This was a democrat sponsored, Obama endorsed bill that Al Gore promoted, which had as its centerpiece a carbon cap and trade mandate.)
2941 STATEMENT OF HONORABLE NEWT GINGRICH, FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
3098 I could strongly support an incentivized bill to maximize new technologies and to maximize green technologies...
3117 At Vice President Gore’s request I made a commercial with Speaker Pelosi. We said that we would address climate change...
3309 I do think that part of this bill is moving in the right direction. I would love to find a way to design a very bold breakout... But I would just close by urging you don’t mandate beyond the technology...
3479 In a Congress which passed a $787 billion stimulus without reading the bill, I think we can find the money. I am perfectly happy to work together to find the money...
3516 [But] your bill is not complete, and the EPA analysis included 150 percent increase in nuclear power, and there is no nuclear power section of the bill. So I would be perfectly happy to talk to you in more detail when the bill is complete. I would be glad to come back and testify if the bill gets completed, but this is an incomplete bill...
3698 The fact is the cap-and-trade system I proposed in 1970, affected 263 units and at its peak affected 2,000. Now, if you want to write a bill that covers the 2,000 most polluting places and say, fine, those 2,000 are part of cap-and-trade, I would be glad to look at it... If you would liberate the nuclear power industry from trial lawyers and regulatory controls, I would be glad to look at it...
3956 And I think that as a prudent person you can take steps to limit carbon loading of the atmosphere without having conclusively proved anything about that causality of whether carbon loading has an affect on the temperature of the earth, because I think frankly it is clear that as Mr. Barton earlier indicated that there has been an increase in carbon loading of the atmosphere, and there will probably be a continuing increase.
3964 In the interim I also wrote a book called Contract with the Earth, and I believe that it--I think one of the reasons I volunteered to come here today is I believe if we can find and incentivize a positive way to move to a new generation of greener energy... it is absolutely in our national security interests and our quality of life interest to do it.
"I never favored cap and trade. In fact I actively testified against it! I was at the U.S. house energy commerce committee the same day Al Gore was there to testify for it. I testified against it."
FOX Forum of Presidential Candidates Dec 3, 2011 (followed by flash-back)
MITT ROMNEY ON GLOBAL WARMING:
“Scientists are nearly unanimous in laying the blame for rising temperatures on greenhouse gas emissions. Of course there are also reasons for skepticism. The earth may be getting warmer, but there have been numerous times in the earth’s history when temperatures have been warmer than they are now. Climate cycles with great variations in temperature predate the greenhouse gas emissions of the past three centuries, and they even predate the rise of human populations. In fact, climate change has been going on from the beginning of the world; it is certainly not a new phenomenon. Even the apparent unity among scientists is not a sure indicator of scientific fact.” -- No Apology, pub. March 2010, p. 227
“I am uncertain how much of the warming, however, is attributable to man and how much is attributable to factors out of our control. I do not support radical feel-good policies like a unilateral U.S. cap-and-trade mandate. Such policies would have little effect on climate but could cripple economic growth with devastating results for people across the planet.” -- No Apology, pub. March 2010, p. 227
Mitt Romney on How Spending Cannot Solve Global Warming:
“In 2004, Danish economist Bjorn Lomborg gathered ten of the world’s leading economists, including three Nobel laureates, in what he called the Copenhagen Consensus. He asked them prioritize the greatest problems faced by humankind. They were not asked to determine which problems were the most severe, but rather to rank the most severe global challenges according to the cost and benefit of overcoming them… Astonishingly, spending money to prevent global warming came in last. Why? To reduce global temperature even by a very small amount requires enormous investment. Achieving the Kyoto objectives, they reasoned, would cost $150 billion a year and only delay the global temperature that would otherwise have been reached in the year 2100 by six years.” -- No Apology, pub. March 2010, p. 227
“My own visits to China convince me that there is at least one more significant reason to pause before we engage in extreme and expensive measures aimed at cooling the planet: the thorny issue of feasibility. China emits more carbon dioxide than does the United States. It accounted for two-thirds of the entire world's increase in greenhouse gases in 2007, the latest year in which the figures have been reported. By 2030, China will emit more greenhouse gases than North America and Western Europe combined. In fact, China and other developing nations will be the source of over 80 percent of the worldwide growth in emissions... If developing nations won't curb emissions, even extreme mitigation measures taken by the United States and other developed nations will have no appreciable effect on slowing the rate of greenhouse gas emissions.” -- No Apology, pub. March 2010, p. 229-30
Interview when governor, June 2006:
Judy Woodruff: “Talking about Global Warming, is this an issue that everybody should be concerned about, that the government should be doing much more about?”
Mitt Romney: “The issue of the over use of energy in our country is a major issue. The over use of oil in particular is a major issue. It has political implications around the world for us.
And it may well be that the emission of carbon dioxide is contributing to global warming. I don't know how much is related to CO2 emissions, how much is cyclical. But it certainly wouldn't hurt to reduce our use of CO2, and it certainly would be great to dramatically reduce our use of oil.
“And so the equation to get the job done means we have to develop additional sources of energy whether nuclear, bio-fuels, liquefied coal and so forth. So additional sources of energy. At the same time we have to be far more effective in conserving energy through means of efficiency and better technology. Look, if we could somehow magically wave a wand over our automobile fleet, and replace all of our cars with the current best technology, 35 miles per gallon type technology, we'd be saving an extraordinary amount of oil. We wouldn't have to be buying what we are buying from the Arabs. And so those are the kinds of measures I think we're going to have to take as a nation.”
Judy Woodruff: “Are you going to see the movie [An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore] or have you seen it?”
Mitt Romney: “I haven't seen the movie, no... That's not top on my list. But I do a lot of reading on the topic and agree we should dramatically reduce our use of oil, for a lot of good reasons. One is not to spend billions of dollars and send them outside this country. And we could become far more efficient in using the energy we have and developing additional sources right here.”
More quotes in answers to questions with respect to Global Warming.
Mitt Romney: “From a strategic standpoint, the prospect of potentially having a significant slow-down in our economy because of a shut-off of oil in any place of the world,
that's something that has to concern us. And at the same time, the things we do to create energy independence also allow us to put less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. There are multiple reasons for us saying we want to be less dependent on foreign energy and develop our own sources. That's the real key of course: Additional sources of energy here, as well as more efficient use of energy. That will allow the world to have less oil being drawn down from the various sources where it comes without driving prices to too high a level. It will keep people, some of whom are not real savory characters from getting too wealthy and having an influence on our foreign policy. So, for all good reasons, including our economy, making us more independent on a foreign policy basis, and potentially reducing the warming of the planet, it's a good idea to become more energy independent.”
CNBC Interviewer: “In terms of potential climate change, and I know there is still a debate about all that, ...”
Mitt Romney: “We're going to see the world adopt measures that allow us to develop our energy without having to rely on sole sources that are unreliable... I have to tell you, with regards to global warming, that, that's something, which you're right, the scientists haven't entirely resolved. But no question about one thing, it's getting warmer.
And there are a lot of good reasons for us to use less energy, to use it more efficiently, and to develop sources here in this country that could allow us to be more independent of foreign sources.”
“Is global warming an issue for the world? Absolutely Is it something we can deal with by becoming energy independent and energy secure? We sure can.
“It's going to help our economy because we're going to invest in new technologies to get ourselves off of foreign oil. And as we get ourselves off of foreign oil, we also dramatically reduce our CO2 emissions.”
“In 2004, Danish economist Bjorn Lomborg gathered ten of the world’s leading economists, including three Nobel laureates, in what he called the Copenhagen Consensus. He asked them prioritize the greatest problems faced by humankind. They were not asked to determine which problems were the most severe, but rather to rank the most severe global challenges according to the cost and benefit of overcoming them… Astonishingly, spending money to prevent global warming came in last. Why? To reduce global temperature even by a very small amount requires enormous investment. Achieving the Kyoto objectives, they reasoned, would cost $150 billion a year and only delay the global temperature that would otherwise have been reached in the year 2100 by six years.” -- No Apology, pub. March 2010, p. 227
“What was wrong with Kyoto, is it said okay America, you put in place these caps, but China, who is now the biggest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, you don't have to do anything. China and India by the way, they are competing for our jobs. I don't want to put on our employers and our employees costs which then the Chinese or the Indians don't have to pay, to make our jobs even less competitive.”
Questioner: “All Mitt talks about is energy independence, what about the rest of the world? ... He always says it's not called America Warming, it's called Global Warming... How are you going to make global warming bigger than America warming? What are you going to do beyond just mere energy independence to get the whole world on board with your plan?”
Mitt Romney: “We can become far more effective by pursuing my policy of energy independence.
“And if we can get China, India and Brazil and the rest of the world also to come together in a global effort, then that's going to change, if you will the CO2 emissions for the entire planet. And that's something I support.
“I do want to make sure however, that we don't end up with something like the Kyoto Accord, which said, okay, America, you've got to reduce your CO2 according to these limits that we're putting in this provision, but China and India don't have to. That in my opinion would have frankly a negative impact on the planet. Because what would happen if nations like ours say we are going to strictly limit our CO2 emissions, bring them down, but if we let a nation like China not have to do that at all? Then what's going to happen is the energy intensive industries here are going to get up and go there. And you'll end up having more pollution and more CO2, because they'll go to a place that's just burning coal, dirty coal! They're building a new power plant I'm told as much as one a week. A new coal power plant every week! Think about that.”
“I do not support radical feel-good policies like a unilateral U.S. cap-and-trade mandate. Such policies would have little effect on climate but could cripple economic growth with devastating results for people across the planet.” -- No Apology, pub. March 2010, p. 227
CNBC Interviewer: “Do you favor carbon caps, do you favor carbon taxes?”
Mitt Romney: “We're going to see the world adopt measures that allow us to develop our energy without having to rely on sole sources that are unreliable... There are a lot of good reasons for us to use less energy, to use it more efficiently, and to develop sources here in this country that could allow us to be more independent of foreign sources.”
CNBC Interviewer: “You're leaving the door open to carbon-cap or carbon-tax?”
Mitt Romney: (shaking head no) “Oh, I'm not a man that favors taxes! So I'm not going to make a statement of that nature.”
“Cap-and-trade is an energy tax, disguised in the sheep's clothing of market terminology.” -- No Apology by Mitt Romney, pub. March 2010, p. 245
“Republicans should never abandon pro-growth conservative principles in an effort to embrace the ideas of Al Gore. Instead of sweeping mandates, we must use America's power of innovation to develop alternative sources of energy and new technologies that use energy more efficiently.”
• Became the first state in the nation to establish a drinking water standard for the chemical perchlorate in order to protect sensitive populations;
• Set tough standards requiring significant reductions of mercury emissions from power plants; and
• Increased enforcement against environmental violators - one such effort was a unique aerial enforcement initiative that detected illegal wetland destruction through the use of computer-mapping technology.
Gov. Romney announces strict new clean air regulations:
“Governor Mitt Romney today announced that Massachusetts will take another major step in meeting its commitment to protecting air quality when strict state limitations on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants take effect on January 1, 2006.
“ "Massachusetts continues to be committed to improving air quality for all our citizens. These carbon emission limits will provide real and immediate progress in the battle to improve our environment," Romney said. "They help us accomplish our environmental goals while protecting jobs and the economy."
“Massachusetts is the first and only state to set CO2 emissions limits on power plants. The limits, which target the six largest and oldest power plants in the state, are the toughest in the nation and are designed to lower emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and mercury from power plant smokestacks.”
“Known as “Nicole’s Law,” the bill is named for Nicole Garofalo, a 7-year-old Plymouth girl who died in January of 2005 after a snow-blocked heating vent trapped toxic carbon monoxide fumes in the family home.
“ "Today, we have the opportunity to turn the senseless death of Nicole Garofalo into the wake-up call that the little girl never heard," said Romney. "In signing this bill, we’ve taken a big step toward preventing similar tragedies from striking other families in the Commonwealth."
“In 2003, there were nearly 3,000 carbon monoxide cases reported statewide, most of which occurred in residences during the winter months.”
“ "The passage of this law means that something good has come from Nicole’s death," said Mark Garofalo, Nicole’s father. "Her legacy will be one of protecting other little boys and girls from the deadly dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning."
“To prevent future cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, Nicole’s Law requires residential buildings that contain enclosed parking or equipment such as boilers, furnaces and hot water heaters to have working carbon monoxide detectors. Local fire departments will inspect residences upon the sale or transfer of a property to ensure compliance with the law.”
“On April 27, 2003, Buzzards Bay was the site of a massive oil spill when a Bouchard Transportation barge struck rocks and spilled 98,000 gallons of industrial fuel oil into the bay.
“ "The Buzzards Bay oil spill had a profound impact on the environment and quality of life here on the South Coast, and we vowed at that time to do all we could to prevent such disasters from happening again," Romney said. "We have delivered on that promise. Our vessel safety requirements are stronger, financial penalties have been significantly increased, and now Buzzards Bay coastal communities have the emergency equipment they need if disaster strikes again."
“Last year’s Oil Spill Act created several preventive measures to ensure the safe passage of hazardous cargo through Massachusetts waterways. It also established a trust fund paid for by oil companies to purchase equipment and provide training for coastal communities that may have to respond to an oil spill emergency. The approximate $300,000 cost of the trailers delivered today was paid for out of this fund.”
“The Governor joined MassHousing, The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC), and The Enterprise Foundation (Enterprise) at the announcement. Collectively these organizations will make available $209 million worth of incentives to build 1,000 new environmentally-friendly, "green," homes in Massachusetts. This project will not require any new taxpayer dollars.
“ "Combining affordable housing and environmentally-friendly smart growth isn’t just about dollars and cents. It’s about promoting common sense," said Romney. "By simultaneously investing in affordable housing and smart growth, Green Communities will help support our economy while maintaining the kind of diversity and healthy environment that makes Massachusetts such a great place to work, live and raise a family." ...
“ "We commend Governor Romney, MassHousing and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative for joining Enterprise in making smart, sustainable building mainstream in affordable housing," said Bart Harvey, chairman and CEO of The Enterprise Foundation... "This partnership will produce healthier, more energy efficient, affordable housing for residents across the Commonwealth," said Rob Pratt, director of the Renewable Energy Trust...”
Governor Romney works to protect the state's ocean waters:
“Governor Mitt Romney today filed pioneering legislation that will make Massachusetts the first state in the nation to put in place a comprehensive statewide planning process to assess new projects proposed for state ocean waters.
“Romney noted the critical need to safeguard the state’s coastal waters from unregulated new uses, saying that recent proposals off Massachusetts waters have revealed significant gaps in state and federal authority to permit offshore uses and lease open space.
“ "Right now, our ocean waters are vulnerable to unplanned development. We want to avoid a Wild West shootout, where projects are permitted on a ‘first come, first served’ basis," said Romney. "The only way to protect our beautiful ocean environment is with comprehensive ocean zoning reform."
“To advise him on effective ways to update state environmental regulations to meet the challenges posed by new ocean uses, Romney created an ocean management task force in 2003 comprised of a broad range of stakeholders, including environmental groups, regulators and the fishing industry. The legislation filed today reflects the panel’s recommendations...
“The plan will define acceptable uses for specific zones of the Bay State’s coastal waters, which extend three miles offshore along the state’s more than 1,500 miles of coast. It will also improve the state’s ability to coordinate with the federal government for projects that occur in federal waters that impact the state. Before the final plan is adopted, it will be subject to a public notice and comment period, including one or more public meetings.”
Governor Romney provides support for smart growth:
“Governor Mitt Romney today awarded 12 Bay State cities smart growth technical assistance grants, helping them spark economic development and generate new jobs in their downtown areas.
“In addition, Romney announced more than $120,000 in state grants to help fund five projects consistent with smart growth principles.
“ "If we are to attract new businesses and jobs to Massachusetts, we must be innovative in creating clearer, faster and more predictable paths for economic development. These grants will help us to reach those goals," said Romney. "By targeting development to areas where there is already infrastructure in place, not only can we revitalize our older communities, but we can also curb sprawl as well." ”
“Governor Mitt Romney today announced that the state will invest $516.5 million in Commonwealth Capital funds to build housing near public transit, improve water quality and sewer service and upgrade transportation and environmental infrastructure to support smart growth across Massachusetts.
“ "To generate new jobs, spark economic growth and remain competitive, we need to be smart about how we invest taxpayer dollars in growth and development in Massachusetts," said Romney. "These grants and loans will go a long way towards ensuring a robust economy and prosperous quality of life in the Commonwealth for many years to come."
“Romney made the announcement in Chelsea, which will receive $3 million for various projects, including $500,000 to help transform a downtown street -- now pocked withvacant lots and closed businesses -- into a vibrant, new transit-oriented area targeted for residential and commercial use.
“ "These grants and loans make sure that capital funds are prioritized for communities that make smart growth happen," said Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey...
“The awards – $15.5 million in grants and $501 million in low-interest loans – are part of a system initiated by Romney that distributes state funding in a targeted fashion. Cities and towns competitively apply for Commonwealth Capital funds by detailing initiatives to produce more housing or to change local zoning rules to promote smart growth principles. More than 260 cities and towns have participated in the program since its inception in 2003.
“ "The state spends hundreds of millions of dollars every year on infrastructure and Commonwealth Capital is a way to make sure that investment is in alignment with the Romney Administration’s sustainable development agenda," said Douglas I. Foy, Secretary of the Office for Commonwealth Development, which was created by Romney to coordinate state agencies responsible for housing, transportation, environment and energy.”
Romney reaches agreement to clean up Cape Cod power plant:
“Governor Mitt Romney today announced a major step forward in the clean up of the Mirant Canal Power Plant in Sandwich, putting the last of the state’s oldest and dirtiest power plants on target to comply with the Commonwealth’s toughest in the nation’s emissions standards.
“ "Today’s agreement with Mirant Canal produces immediate health and environmental benefits for the citizens of Cape Cod," said Romney, who made a campaign pledge to clean up the state’s power plants. "Now each of the state’s dirtiest power plants is on target to meet our toughest-in-the-nation emission standards."
“The three-party settlement between the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Mirant Canal LLC and the community group Cape Clean Air (CCA), avoids a long and protracted legal battle that would have threatened the plant’s environmental compliance.”
Costs are down, but environmental enforcement is up:
Romney touts efficiency and innovative strategies
“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts cracked down on environmental violators at a record pace in the last fiscal year, hiking enforcement actions by 54 percent and assessed penalties by 49 percent. These results were achieved even as costs were reduced by nearly one-third at the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
“ "Innovative programs and cutting-edge technologies are being used today to protect our environment," Governor Mitt Romney said. "Massachusetts will continue to be a national leader in environmental protection by utilizing these new tools to target environmental scofflaws."
“Romney pointed out that DEP hit a five-year peak in higher-level enforcement actions and in the assessment of administrative penalties last fiscal year. These gains were realized as DEP trimmed its workforce by 24 percent and reduced its operating budget by 28 percent over the last three years. Currently, DEP has an annual budget of approximately $50 million with 920 employees.
“In Fiscal Year 2004, enforcement actions increased by 54 percent over Fiscal Year 2003, from 600 to 922. This is 40 percent higher than the five-year enforcement average of 656. Over the same period, administrative penalties increased by 49 percent, from $2,819,046 to $4,205,600. Total penalty dollars – including civil and criminal fines obtained in court – rose from $3,712,171 to $11,116,850.
“These dramatic new results are a result of DEP’s focus on compliance and enforcement in three areas targeting activities with high potential for environmental harm and human health risk: illegal wetlands destruction; illegal removal, handling and disposal of hazardous asbestos waste; and enforcement against owners of contaminated urban sites who fail to fulfill their cleanup obligations...
“ "Massachusetts should be applauded for using innovative techniques and high technology solutions to increase enforcement and protect wetlands and other important resources," said Laura A. Johnson, president of the Massachusetts Audubon Society.”
“Governor Mitt Romney today signed legislation that creates protective measures to safeguard sensitive coastal areas from the harmful effects of oil spills...
“In June 2003, an Oil Spill Commission was named to investigate possible changes to existing laws and regulations to increase the safety of commercial barges traveling in state waters. The legislation signed by the Governor implements the Commission’s recommendations and incorporates many suggestions made by the Governor’s Office in draft legislation submitted to the Commission...
“ "History will look back on the passage of this legislation as one of the most important events in the ongoing effort to save Buzzards Bay," said Mark Rasmussen, Executive Director of The Coalition for Buzzards Bay...”
Governor Romney takes leadership with environmental plan:
“Governor Mitt Romney today unveiled the state’s comprehensive Climate Protection Plan, taking action to reduce pollution, cut energy demands and nurture job growth in the Commonwealth...
“ "EPA New England applauds Governor Romney for his strong environmental leadership," said Robert W. Varney, Regional Administrator of EPA’s New England regional office. "We look forward to working with the Governor to implement many of these recommendations, especially through EPA programs such as Energy Star, Green Power Partnerships and Climate Leaders, which will help reduce emissions, lower energy costs, save taxpayer dollars and strengthen our economy." ...
“ "The potential for economic growth in Massachusetts extends even further through implementation of this plan," said Romney. "More efficient use of energy resources will keep manufacturing costs down, allowing local businesses to stay competitive in the world marketplace." ”
Romney signs bill to restore inland fish and game fund:
“Governor Mitt Romney today signed into law a measure to restore the Inland Fish and Game Fund, a sportsmen- and women-funded account that helps fund the state’s wildlife restoration and maintenance efforts.”
Romney announces new mercury emission regulations:
“Governor Mitt Romney today unveiled proposed regulations that will require the state’s oldest power plants to significantly reduce mercury emissions, putting Massachusetts in the forefront of reducing air pollution...
“Under Romney’s direction, the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) have proposed a two-phase mercury emissions standard. The first phase requires facilities to capture 85 percent of the mercury contained in combusted coal by October 1, 2006. The second phase requires facilities to capture 95 percent of the mercury by October 1, 2012. In total, the regulations will cut mercury emissions by over 130 pounds per year...
“Recently, Massachusetts has also required municipal waste combustors to cut their mercury emissions by 90 percent or more and the state has aggressively advocated for increased recycling of mercury products.”
Romney teams up with EPA to protect Mass coastline:
“Romney announced that the Commonwealth will provide weekly beach water lab testing for 60 coastal communities free of charge this summer... Romney also unveiled a new Web site that will allow beachgoers to log on to the Internet to check if local beaches are safe for swimming...
“Additional dollars will be used to fund research efforts at the Bay State’s three flagship beaches: Wollaston Beach in Quincy, Ryder Beach in Provincetown and Willows Pier Beach in Salem. The flagship beaches are the most heavily visited in the state and have been known to have past problems with beach water pollution. The Public Health Department will work with environmental engineers and scientists to identify sources of pollution and recommend remedies.”
“A new provision of the legislation will also permit an assessment of $25,000-per-day fine for knowingly making “false, inaccurate, incomplete or misleading statements” pertaining to a spill incident.
“Romney noted that the Coast Guard today said that the amount of oil spilled into Buzzard’s Bay on April 27 by a tanker owned by Bouchard Transportation was approximately 98,000 gallons, not the 14,700 gallons originally reported...
“Romney’s bill stiffens the financial penalties associated with the spilling of toxic materials, many of which have not been updated for decades. Currently, there is a daily penalty of $25,000 for illegally discharging oil or other pollutants into the water. Romney’s proposal increases that penalty up to $50,000 per day.
“ "It’s time to bring these environmental penalties up to date. Companies that transport toxic materials perform a necessary service that carries with it a great responsibility, and they must live up to those responsibilities," Romney said...
“The planned legislation also contains a measure that takes into account environmental considerations in the awarding of state contracts. If companies are found to have a substantial record of environmental violations, they could be barred from the state bidding process.
“ "These proposals are all tools we should have in our environmental enforcement toolbox," Romney said.”
“Under Romney's plan, the task force will advise the Administration on new management and planning regulations for projects in state ocean waters. These regulations will protect and manage ocean resources in a manner that maximizes public use, utility and enjoyment while minimizing impacts on ecosystems.
“State ocean waters, generally extending to three miles offshore, are owned by the Commonwealth and held in trust for its citizens. Currently, the state lacks the ability to do offshore planning and is only able to review private project proposals in a reactive manner. Recent proposals in ocean waters off Massachusetts have revealed significant gaps in state and federal authority to permit offshore uses and lease open space.
“ "We have accepted zoning as a means of planning on land for appropriate uses of largely privately-owned property, while virtually no planning is done for ocean spaces, which are public," Environmental Affairs Secretary Ellen Roy Herzfelder said. "It is time to put some rational ocean management policies in place." ...
“In addition to this work on Massachusetts' policy, Romney announced his intent to intensify a dialogue with federal government officials about creating a U.S. ocean management policy to address these same issues in federal waters.”
“SALEM - Pledging to make clean air and public health a priority, Governor Mitt Romney today announced that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has rejected a request by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to delay tough new regulations aimed at cleaning up one of the state's oldest and dirtiest power plants...
“ "If the choice is between dirty power plants or protecting the health of the people of Massachusetts, there is no choice in my mind," said Romney. "I will always come down on the side of public health." ”
Plans to create jobs and a cleaner environment with Renewable Energy Trust Fund
“LOWELL - Governor Mitt Romney today announced a plan to redirect the focus of the state's Renewable Energy Trust Fund to support economic development as well as the creation of alternative sources of energy that will have a positive environmental benefit.
“ "The Trust Fund has been growing for years, and I believe now is the time to refocus its assets in such a manner that it can become a major economic springboard for the Commonwealth by focusing on job creation in the renewable energy sector," said Romney...”
Governor Romney declines to join a CO2 Reduction Initiative:
“Sulfer dioxide from electric power plants have been successfully reduced in the United States through a cap-and-trade strategy. But that success was achieved among only a few hundred entities, all of whom are in the same highly regulated industry in the same country. Most important, those utilities had ready options that would help them eliminate their sulfer-dioxide problem...
“As governor, I explored joining with other New England states to create a carbon dioxide cap-and-trade program for our electric utilities. I was assured by its proponents that it would raise electric rates by only 3 to 5 percent. But when I met with the state's major manufacturers, they produced estimates of 30 percent increases in rates. One of the state's largest employers insisted that if we implemented the plan without a "safety valve" to limit the cost and volatility, his company would not be able to locate any new facilities in our state. I didn't sign on.” -- No Apology, pub. March 2010, p. 244
ENVIRONMENTAL ENDORSEMENTS:
“Traveling up I-75 through northern Michigan toward the Mackinac Bridge, a sign for the DNR [Department of Natural Resources] Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center always catches my eye.
“In the 1960s, MacMullan was head of conservation and natural resources for Gov. George Romney. Called the "fiercest conservationist" ever to hold the post, MacMullan made the bold decision to stock salmon and launch the sport fishing industry in the Great Lakes, now a $4.5-billion enterprise that supports thousands of jobs. With MacMullan's help, Romney's successor, Gov. William Milliken, fought successfully for the Michigan Environmental Protection Act -- a model for national action.
“With visionaries like Romney, MacMullan and Milliken, Michigan has always been a conservation leader.
“Mitt Romney grew up in that tradition and has a firsthand appreciation of how important the Great Lakes are to Michigan's high quality of life. Romney knows that Michigan's ecology and economy depend on healthy Great Lakes and clean water that is safe for drinking, beaches that are safe for swimming, and fish that are safe for eating.
“As Michigan's economy struggles today, Mitt Romney understands that cleaning up the Great Lakes can be the key to unleashing a new era of growth and job creation.
“With Romney in the White House, we would see a strong commitment to making the health of the Great Lakes a national priority. He should work to consolidate the more than 140 different Great Lakes-related programs scattered across 10 federal departments under one agency whose chief reports directly to the president. Other key priorities include:
“• Preventing diversions: With lake levels approaching record lows, Michigan cannot afford to let the Great Lakes be diverted to thirsty states outside the basin. That's why Mitt Romney supports Great Lakes governors in their efforts to prohibit diversions, encourage conservation and enact sustainable water use standards. Romney believes that our governor must retain the right to veto diversions that threaten the Great Lakes.
“• Stopping invasive species: More than 180 invaders from around the world now call the Great Lakes home, wreaking havoc on natural systems. Since most invaders arrive in ballast tanks of ocean-going vessels, Romney supports adoption of tough standards to keep alien species from getting in to hurt the lakes, while allowing vital commerce to continue on the lakes.
“• Cleaning up toxic hotspots: From the Detroit River to Saginaw Bay to Torch Lake in the Upper Peninsula, there are 14 areas on the Great Lakes in Michigan where the legacy of pollution continues to threaten the health of people and wildlife. Romney believes the cleanup of these toxic hotspots has been far too slow, bogged down by bureaucracy, legal wrangling, endless planning and lack of resources. Romney will advocate a new approach that brings everyone to the table to develop new funding mechanisms, set clear lines of accountability, and agree to specific timelines for restoring the health of the Great Lakes...
“Mitt Romney is the only sure bet to restore, protect and sustain our Great Lakes.”
"The Republican governor led the fight to control sprawl and bring more affordable housing to the Bay State with groundbreaking laws and a dramatic reorganization of state agencies. In 2003, he combined transportation, housing, environmental and energy agencies into a super-agency, charged it with stopping runaway suburban growth, then appointed a Democrat environmentalist to run it. By comparison, Connecticut is still nibbling around the edges of smart growth.
"The former venture-capital company CEO and rescuer of the 2002 Winter Olympics also worked with the Democratic legislature to stop job losses and reduce a projected $3 billion budget shortfall. He managed to balance his state's budget without sales or income tax or gas increases. And he streamlined other government agencies — all while maintaining the state's huge accomplishments from a decade of education reforms that put Massachusetts ahead of Connecticut on many academic achievement scores...
"Mark Twain said about Wagner that his music “is better than it sounds.” Mr. Romney is a better leader than his perplexing campaign performance makes him out to be."
Commissioner of Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation:
“ "When I met with Governor Romney, I was deeply impressed by his knowledge of Alaska issues and his commitment to the responsible development of our resources to benefit our nation," said Mead Treadwell. "Governor Romney has the experience, vision, and values to lead our nation with integrity and success. Alaska voters can look at his tested and proven record to know that he is the candidate to overcome the challenges facing our nations just as he has in private business, at the Winter Olympics and as Governor. Governor Romney is the leader our country needs." ”
- Mead Treadwell, former Deputy Commissioner of Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation, Senior Fellow of the Institute of the North, Chair of the United States Arctic Research Commission.
HUMOR - JOKES
