Energy Independence
We will create a cleaner, greener and stronger America by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, eliminating billions in subsidies for oil and gas companies and use the savings to provide consumer relief and develop energy alternatives, and investing in energy independent technology.
Energy independence puts America in the driver's seat to pursue affordable and efficient energy solutions that will benefit all Americans, improve America's security, reduce the burden on American families, and help clean our environment.
American families should not have to pay the price for a failed national energy policy. They deserve an energy policy that creates a cleaner and stronger America that reduces our dependence on foreign oil and also creates new jobs for American workers. By clearing the pathways to innovation, investing in our workers and infrastructure, and providing American consumers with broader, more responsible choices, the Democratic plan will provide the tools to help move America forward, toward real energy security for the 21st century.
This is priceless. John McCain is campaigning aboard an oil rig, Genesis, jointly owned by Exxon Mobil and Chevron in the Gulf of Mexico. It is laughable that McCain would campaign on the Genesis to push his phony "drill here,...
So much for "all of the above." John McCain backs big tax breaks for Big Oil, but forget wind.McCain recently opposed the big $300 billion farm bill, which itself is extremely popular throughout the upper Midwest, describing the bill as...
As John McCain continues his "Job-Killing John" tour in Pennsylvania today, it's clearer than ever how out of touch he is with working Americans. McCain is insulated from the economic struggles of most Americans. As Americans face the consequences of seven months of job losses and spiraling energy costs, John McCain, who owns seven houses, has said that there has "been great progress economically." Perhaps it's not surprising then that John McCain is so out of touch with the struggles facing Americans today that he actually has said that the nation's economic problems are merely "psychological" and why he is calling for more of the same failed Bush policies and politics that have already cost thousands of Americans their jobs.
The Democratic National Committee today launched the first web ad of the Exxon-McCain '08 campaign. The ad, called "Exxon John," highlights McCain's promise of more giveaways for his new friends in Big Oil. Released on the same day activists across the country are participating in an Exxon-McCain '08 National Day of Action, "Exxon John" is a parody of the "Big John" video released earlier this year by Republican Senator John Cornyn.
ExxonMcCain '08 released the following video entitled "Exxon John" about the $4 billion in tax breaks John McCain wants to give Big Oil....
The reviews are in, and Day One of the Exxon-McCain '08 campaign was a roaring success. Recent reports show oil trader Harry Sargeant funneling hundreds of thousands of campaign cash to McCain, some of Big Oil's top talent helping run the campaign, and grassroots Exxon-McCain rallies taking place across the country. The word is getting out that Exxon-McCain '08 is the best bet for anyone looking for four more years of the same energy policies that have produced soaring energy costs and record profits for Big Oil.
A legislative record spanning 26 years and no one can come up with a single accomplishment "Exxon John" McCain has in ushering the U.S. towards energy independence. Yesterday, it was historian Mitt Romney. This time, it was ousted Hewlett Packard...
Sharpen your pencils and get your Scantrons ready. It's time for a pop quiz on John McCain and energy.
John McCain decided on a running mate for November, and it wasn't among the usual suspects. No, with the recent flood of oil money into John McCain's campaign, and his plan to give Big Oil $4 billion in tax breaks,...
WOLF BLITZER: Can you cite one legislative accomplishment that Senator McCain produced during those 26 years in Washington in order to achieve energy independence? GOVERNOR ROMNEY: Well, I’m not a historian that goes through all of the pieces of...
This week, with energy in the headlines and at the forefront of the economic struggles for America's families, Americans are demanding real solutions to soaring gas prices and the long-term energy crisis. But instead of looking ahead for comprehensive solutions to our nation's energy problems and towards reducing America's dependence on foreign oil and developing alternative energy sources, John McCain is turning to the Bush-Cheney play book which puts the interests of oil companies ahead of the interests of Americans. In fact, John McCain has at least 33 former oil lobbyists who advise him or fund-raise for his campaign.
91. Like Bush, McCain keeps landing in the headlines for his ties to the oil and gas industry and his "do nothing" energy policies.
Last week, House Republicans threw a temper tantrum at the Capitol when they were unable to force a vote on offshore drilling to help their oil industry contributors. This week, they are at it again. The Democrats are basically saying...
TPM Election Central: Ten senior Hess Corporation executives and/or members of the Hess family each gave $28,500 to the joint RNC-McCain fundraising committee, just days after McCain reversed himself to favor offshore drilling, according to Federal Election Commission reports. Nine...
This week, as John McCain continues on the Low Road Express, launching false attacks and airing desperate ads, donations from oil and gas companies are fueling his campaign - and driving his policies.
Exxon Mobil posted the largest quarterly profit in U.S. history, reports the Associated Press. Lifted by record crude prices, Exxon Mobil says its second-quarter earnings rose nearly 14 percent to $11.68 billion, the biggest quarterly profit ever by any U.S....
The only thing that makes oil executives cheer more than record profits? John McCain changing positions on offshore drilling. Watch:...
Yesterday in California McCain once again paid lip service to reducing America's dependence on foreign oil, but his record doesn't bear out his proclaimed commitment to energy independence. McCain has consistently voted with Bush and Big Oil and against renewable energy and new energy jobs.
Following a Sunday Washington Post article entitled "Industry Gushed Money After Reversal On Drilling" exposing Big Oil's big donations to John McCain following his reversal on offshore drilling in June, the Democratic National Committee today released a web video entitled "Gusher" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95NSWsNah60). The web video links McCain's reversal on offshore drilling, his next-day fundraisers with energy executives in Texas, and the resultant dramatic increase in donations from oil and gas industry executives and employees to the McCain campaign.
Oil executives flooded John McCain's campaign with cash after his mid-June reversal on offshore drilling. The remarks, delivered in front of oil executives in Texas, received a boisterous applause. Watch the video, "Gusher."...
The McCain campaign spent yesterday fielding tough questions about Senator McCain's shift on offshore drilling after an article in the Washington Post exposed a dramatic increase in donations from the oil and gas industry to McCain following his reversal to join Bush in supporting offshore drilling.
In today's Washington Post Matthew Mosk details the timeline of events following McCain's June reversal to support off-shore drilling, from the weak reasoning he offered for changing his position to his next-day fundraisers with energy executives in Texas to the resultant dramatic increase in donations from oil and gas industry executives and employees -- and, of course, how McCain's shift on energy brings him even more in line with President Bush. It's 100 days until the election, and each day brings new proof of how McCain offers more of the same failed policies and old politics.
Yesterday the McCain campaign hit a rough patch as they tried to escape the fallout over McCain's continued gaffes on foreign policy and ongoing coverage of his promise of four more years of failed Bush-McCain policies on Iraq, energy and the economy.
Think Progress: In announcing his newfound support for offshore drilling, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) consistently touts the safety of offshore oil exploration. “[I]t’s safe enough these days that not even Hurricanes Katrina and Rita could cause significant spillage,†he said...
John McCain's failed economic policy tour continues, and so does his doubletalk. Though he claims to have a "comprehensive economic plan that will create millions of good American jobs," McCain supports more of the same Bush economic policies that have hurt American workers and unfair trade deals that have led to the loss of hundreds of thousands of American jobs. Not exactly good news to the 200,000 workers in Pennsylvania and Ohio who have lost their jobs under President Bush and the millions more worried about keeping theirs.
This is what a real energy plan looks like:
On a conference call today, Nevada State Sen. Steven Horsford, Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid, and Scott Sklar, Chair of the Steering Committee of the Sustainable Energy Coalition, discussed the difference between the candidates' energy plans, and what each would mean for Nevada.
Today's McCain Myth: John McCain has a responsible energy plan that will create jobs and decrease waste.
In the same week John McCain admitted that his new plan to end the moratorium on offshore oil drilling would have nothing more than a "psychological impact" on energy prices, McCain is bringing his out of touch campaign agenda to Nevada. While recent polls show that three quarters of Nevadans oppose construction of a nuclear repository at Yucca Mountain, Senator McCain has repeatedly voted to approve it and now proposes the construction of at least 45 new nuclear power plants. Presumably, Senator McCain's energy plan would require shipping the waste from those new plants to Nevada.
Today's McCain Myth: John McCain and Gov. Schwarzenegger agree on oil drilling.
McCain proves he would be no friend to the environment
This week John McCain reversed himself again, announcing that he now supports lifting the moratorium on off-shore drilling despite previously opposing such a plan to reverse decades of U.S. policy. McCain and President Bush stood behind the plan even though it does nothing to address current gas prices, it would take years to see a drop of oil from these leases, and oil industry execs already have thousands of untapped leases at their disposal. The oil industry, which stands to benefit most, praised McCain's reversal but industry experts agree that this move, just like his gas tax holiday, is nothing more than a Washington gimmick that would do little to solve our real energy crisis.
He's already flip-flopped on coastal drilling in Florida and other states, from just a few weeks ago, just like President Bush. But he's not done flip-flopping yet, as a townhall yesterday proved. Asked about it, drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), McCain said that he would be "more than happy to examine it again."
Republican leaders are known for trafficking in myths and alternate realities: "Climate change is a hoax. Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden were classmates and best friends in the 3rd grade. John McCain would make a good president." The usual...
In addition to the flip-flop on the offshore drilling moratorium, John McCain added two other flip-flops on energy and the environment. McCain made a major shift in his global warming agenda on cap and trade and redefining the word "mandatory."...
On the same day John McCain is traveling to Houston to cave in to his friends in Big Oil, Senator McCain's campaign released a new ad intended to promote him as a champion of renewable energy. McCain is expected to call for more offshore drilling today--despite supporting a moratorium on drilling during his last presidential campaign. McCain will reverse himself on the need for a windfall profit tax for oil companies. While McCain said he was open to a tax on excessive oil company profits just six weeks ago, tonight he will tell industry executives he opposes one. Yet, despite his pattern of repeatedly voting against promoting green jobs and renewable energy technologies, McCain's new ad claims he will break our dependence on foreign oil by promoting renewable energy.
Today's McCain Myth: John McCain is against off-shore drilling.
While John McCain likes to talk tough about energy independence and renewable energy, John McCain today will cave in to his friends in the oil and gas industry. Despite supporting a moratorium on off-shore drilling during his last presidential campaign and opposing offshore drilling in places like Florida, North Carolina and Oregon, Senator McCain will call for the elimination of the moratorium during his remarks in Houston today. McCain will talk about promoting renewable energy, despite a clear record of repeatedly voting against the renewable energy incentives he now claims to support. McCain will criticize "reckless speculators" who are driving up gas prices by "gaming the system," even though that speculation was allowed to take place because the "Enron loophole" his top economic advisor and campaign co-chair Phil Gramm forced through left energy trading markets virtually unregulated.
Jeff Alberici, an eight-grade teacher in New York, husband and father of three, delivers this week's Democratic Radio Address. Alberici discusses Democratic plans to tackle high energy and gas prices and the Republican efforts to block them without any solutions of their own.
Today Bush is planning to announce a "realistic intermediate goal" for limiting emissions from greenhouse gases in the United States. According to the White House, they will "press for incentives for technology."
I previewed this yesterday -- today the House Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming "will bring top-level executives from the five largest oil companies to discuss the current state of oil and gas prices, oil company profits, and the need for clean, renewable fuels to ease demand for oil and cut global warming pollution."
The price of a gallon of gasoline increased to yet another "new high" of $3.29 -- that's 3.1 cents more in one week. Just looking not-so-far back, on January 17, 2005, when Bush began his second term, the average price was $1.84 a gallon.
Oil hits $105 a barrel.
First time ever.
"After eight years of failed Republican leadership, Americans are ready for change, not the third Bush term we'd get with any of the Republican presidential candidates," said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. "President Bush's final State of the Union must be just that. America literally cannot afford another State of the Union address by a Republican who may have a new name, but most certainly will support the same policies that have kept us in a never ending war in Iraq and gave us an economy that's not working for all Americans."
Speaker Nancy Pelosi will deliver the Democratic Radio Address tomorrow. In her address she will discuss historic energy legislation that will set the nation on a path to energy independence and reduce the cost of home heating oil and the price at the pump.
Really? The Everglades?
Democrats passed legislation that will increase the use of renewable resources like wind and solar, create jobs, invest in biofuels--and pay for it by repealing $16 billion in tax breaks for oil and gas companies.
In a victory for the American people, the Senate passed important legislation increasing fuel efficiency, creating laws against price gouging, and boosting the use of renewable fuels.
As President Bush offers Americans more of the same failed special interest energy agenda today at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in Alabama, a facility shut down just weeks ago due to safety concerns, Democrats in Congress are working to enact smart energy reforms to make our country safer, more secure and energy independent.
Once again Senate Republicans have put the special interests before the people they are supposed to represent, blocking a measure to provide tax breaks for renewable energy.
Is the Republican Party falling in love with being in the minority? How else do you explain why they would filibuster an energy bill that would reduce our dependence on foreign oil by focusing on energy conservation and renewable fuels.
Energy independence is something that both sides talk about, but it's an issue where the old Republican Congress simply failed to lead. Now the Democratic Congress is taking up the issue, offering bold ideas to reduce our nation's dependence on oil by significantly reducing our oil consumption.
Sky-high gas prices are putting the squeeze on working families this Memorial Day weekend, when about 32.1 million travelers will be riding by motor vehicle.
Despite Rudy Giuliani's desperate attempts to distance himself from his ties to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez yesterday, the truth is the Giuliani that Americans do not yet know is beholden to energy special interests. Not only has Giuliani profited from Chavez controlled Citgo Petroleum Company, but he also has showed incompetence when dealing with air quality standards following 9/11.
Rudy Giuliani yesterday called Hugo Chavez, leader of oil-rich Venezuela, a dangerous foe of the United States--even though Giuliani's law firm lobbies for the U.S. branch of an oil company controlled by Chavez.
With the Senate recently completing their 100th work day, it's worth taking a look at all they have already done to improve the lives of Americans. Unlike the do-nothing Republican Congress they replaced, Democrats have already pursued a positive agenda and gotten things done on ethics reform, minimum wage, energy independence, eduction, health care, homeland security, veterans, and Iraq.
Today, President Bush traveled to Kansas and Missouri to sell his rehashed policies in an effort to save his failed legacy on energy. In his State of the Union address in January, President Bush once again proposed to cut gasoline usage and impose requirements and set goals for renewable and alternative energy. But, this recent rhetoric is only an attempt to cover-up a long record of Republican opposition to renewable energy programs and efforts to gut programs aimed at reducing America's dependence on foreign oil.
The following resolution was adopted by the DNC Resolutions Committee at its meeting on February 1, 2007, in conjunction with the meetings of the Democratic National Committee, February 1-3, 2007. Submitted by: Gov. Howard Dean, DNC Chair/Vermont Debbie Dingell, Michigan...
While President Bush has been on a post-State of the Union PR campaign to promote his recycled rhetoric on energy independence, the fact remains that over the last six years President Bush has done nothing to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. Today, he will visit with members of Securing America's Energy Future (SAFE), a group whose aim is to "reduce America's dependence on oil." This latest photo-op on energy independence ignores the fact that SAFE has called for immediate action for some time, noting that "The time for action arrived long ago," and that "We must not waste another moment."
Today, President Bush traveled to Wilmington, Delaware to sell his rehashed energy policies. In his State of the Union address last night, President Bush once again proposed to cut gasoline usage and impose requirements for renewable and alternative energy fuels. This recycled rhetoric follows years of opposition by Republicans to renewable energy programs and continued efforts to gut programs aimed at reducing America's dependence on foreign oil.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement in response to President Bush's State of the Union address this evening
The ability of the Democrats to win over significant numbers of Republicans on most votes signals the slim but enticing possibility of Democratic mastery over a demoralized Republican Party. If the new bipartisanship takes root, the prospects for health care legislation and immigration reform sharply improve.
The last item on the 100 Hours Agenda? Rolling back multi-million dollar subsidies the GOP-controlled Congress awarded to Big Oil and investing in energy independence. From the LA Times: When oil company executives came before the Republican-controlled Congress in 2005...
Union Leader: [Democrats are] championing a consensus legislative agenda geared toward helping families that have been left behind by the GOP. They're standing up for America's shrinking middle class. Pelosi has pledged to spend her first 100 hours on key bread-and-butter economic issues long neglected under Republican rule. This is a leader who understands her mandate.
Senator Boxer prepares to take over the Environment Committee: "Any kind of weakening of environmental laws or secrecy or changes in the dead of night — it's over," Boxer said. "We're going to for once, finally, make this committee an environment committee, not an anti-environment committee. ... This is a sea change that is coming to this committee."...
Today, ExxonMobil announced that “its third-quarter earnings rose to $10.49 billion, the second-largest quarterly profit ever recorded by a publicly traded U.S. company.†Royal Dutch Shell also “beat all forecasts with a 21 percent rise in underlying third-quarter profit.†These earnings reports come “as high crude prices this year have fueled record profits in the oil industry†which has triggered “an outcry from consumers who were being asked to pay about $3 a gallon for gasoline in early August.â€
Democrats have been on the forefront in pushing for energy independence. In Idaho, Americans want clean and safe energy.Wind and other renewable sources meet what appears to be a growing desire among Idahoans for green energy. A public outcry over...
Despite the White House's lofty rhetoric when it comes to renewable energy the fact is that America's dependence on foreign energy has increased under Bush's watch. The Bush Administration allowed their friends in the energy industry to write our nation's energy policy. Since then, America's working families have struggled to keep up with escalating gas prices.
Today, President Bush will be peddling his failed energy policies during a visit to Alabama. Upon entering office, the Bush Administration put their friends in the energy industry in charge of writing the nation’s energy policy. As a result, the past five years have led to increased energy costs for America’s working families and made America more dependent on foreign oil.
One year ago, President Bush signed the Republican energy bill, giving $8 billion in tax breaks to energy companies. Since then, the American people continue to struggle just to fill up their gas tanks, as gas prices are up 65 percent. Energy companies, who have given generously to the Bush White House and Republicans in Congress, have realized record earnings.
New York Times' Columnist Bob Herbert writes today that it's "time to aggressively counter the dangerous nonsense" of those who dispute the threat posed by Global Warming. Examples: Senator Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), Chair of the Senate Committee on the Environment: “[M]an-made...
Aside from the unbearably high temperatures, global warming can also cause the power to go out. Days of heat and humidity have driven demand for electricity to record highs in California and other states. If people cannot take the weather...
Today, the Vice President spoke at a closed door, special interest fundraiser for Congressional candidates before heading to a photo-op with members of the Michigan National Guard. With such unusual Republican attention directed at the state, I have to ask:...
Reuters notes that Congress is back this week. U.S. lawmakers returning from a weeklong break on Monday will take up a long list of unfinished -- and possibly insurmountable -- tasks that could help decide whether voters will re-elect them...
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on our nation's energy independence.
Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney issued the following statement on the RNC's latest misleading web advertisement
Five years after Vice President Cheney issued an energy plan written by and for his friends in the energy industry and after five years of failed leadership on reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil, the Bush Administration has again failed the American people.
This week, Senator Maria Cantwell from the state of Washington delivered the Democratic Radio Address.
On a day when Shell Oil Company announced profits of more than $6 billion, Americans continue to be gouged at the pump while Republican leaders in Washington offer no solutions, only tax breaks for their industry friends.
Republicans in Washington have again put special interests ahead of the concerns of the American people. With 74 percent of Americans disapproving of the President's handling of the gas crisis, and even more thinking that the White House has not developed a good plan to get gas prices under control, Republicans in the Senate rolled out a small, inadequate plan.
This week, Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan delivered the Democratic Radio Address. To listen to the audio, click here. Good morning. This is Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan. These days, every morning, Americans are paying more and more simply to...
Mouse over each state and look below the map to see how much gas prices have increased in the past year. You will see the actual dollar amount and percent increase as well as the increased costs for one- and...
Since he first ran for President in 2000, President Bush has offered a number of different explanations for what he can and cannot do to help the millions of hard-working Americans deal with out-of-control gas prices.
When people talk about the Republican culture of corruption and the buying and selling of our democracy, a lot of times you think it's just preferential treatment or special access or inflated importance that they buy. With folks scratching their...
President Bush's speech on energy policy and skyrocketing gas prices yesterday is already drawing criticism and scrutiny from editorial boards and political writers across the country.
With his poll numbers in the low 30’s and American struggling under the weight of record-high gas prices, President Bush has finally embraced sound Democratic proposals he once rejected.
Last week, President Bush declared that he was decisive, that he was, in fact, the “Decider-in-Chief.†Yet, on issue after issue, he has ignored or pushed off big decisions or argued that there was nothing he could do.
It's tough turning on the television and watching the president pretend his priorities include reducing the price at the pump for average Americans. It should be completely obvious to people at this point how the energy racket works in D.C....
This week, Senator Bill Nelson from Florida delivered the Democratic Radio Address. To listen to the audio, click here. Hi, I'm Bill Nelson, Senator from Florida. I know that many of you are anxious right now - with $3 gasoline...
Democratic leaders across the country joined House and Senate Democrats in unveiling a comprehensive plan for providing the American people with real security. The agenda stands in stark contrast to the dangerous incompetence of the Republican leadership.
The Bush Administration's bungling of a deal to allow a foreign government-owned firm to run some of our nation's largest seaports has put the spotlight on the White House's continuing efforts to put the priorities of corporate special interests above the concerns of the American people.
On the heels of a Chicago Tribune report today detailing the sharp cuts in energy conservation programs in President Bush's budget, Treasury Secretary John Snow is in Memphis today to sell the President's hollow energy proposals.
This week, President Bush and members of his Cabinet are touring the country, trying to convince the American people that the Bush Administration is finally joining Democrats in working to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
This week, President Bush and members of his Cabinet are touring the country, trying to convince the American people that the Bush Administration is finally joining Democrats in working to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. As part of that...
This week, President Bush and members of his cabinet are touring the country, trying to convince the American people that the Bush Administration is finally joining Democrats in working to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.
This week, President Bush and members of his Cabinet are touring the country, trying to convince the American people that the Bush Administration is finally joining Democrats in working to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.
This week, President Bush and members of his Cabinet are touring the country, trying to convince the American people that the Bush Administration is finally joining Democrats in working to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.
Today, as President Bush toured the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, he had a difficult balancing act between his empty rhetoric and the realities of his failed energy policy.
On the eve of a presidential visit to a renewable energy lab in Colorado, the Department of Energy said it has transferred $5 million to the operation, which had funding cut and employees laid off this month due to budget shortfalls.
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