Issue Position: Energy

Issue Position

America is addicted to oil. While it is true that we are producing more of our oil domestically and importing less, we are consuming more oil than ever before. Large amounts of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere from oil production, contributing to global warming.

My opponent supports the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. This pipeline would carry tar sands oil from Canada down to the Gulf Coast. Ioppose the project for several reasons. Tar sands oil releases more greenhouse gas than conventional oil, and reports indicate that this could push us beyond the point of no return for reversing climate change. Additionally, I am fundamentally opposed to using eminent domain to take private property, especially for a foreign corporation. Already this is occurring throughout the Midwest, and is an utter travesty.

Furthermore, the oil from the pipeline is intended for overseas exports, not for American consumption. This would raise the price of gas nationwide. And it is predicted that only 40 fulltime, permanent jobs will be created as a result of constructing the pipeline.

The trend towards natural gas only sidesteps the problem. Fracking is doing irreparable damage to the environment, polluting the air with greenhouse gases and injecting poisonous chemicals into the ground that taint our water supply. My opponent also voted to expedite the approval of natural gas exports (HR 6). While I support increasing our exports in general, this is not the way to do it. Exporting natural gas would only raise the already high price of fuel here at home, hurting consumers and manufacturers. Meanwhile, opening the natural gas market to other countries will only further enrich oil and gas companies, who receive billions of dollars a year in tax breaks.

I support an all of the above renewable strategy: solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal. Here on Long Island, I support offshore wind farms, providing tax incentives for installing solar panels on your property, and expanding the East River tidal power project.

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