FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2009
Contact:
Patrick Creighton, 202.870.0850
Laura Henderson, 202.621.2951
China, Russia, Cuba, Brazil Advance Robust, Supply-Focused Energy Policy
In Washington, Senate panel looks for new ways to ration, constrict American energy
Washington, DC – As our chief global competitors continue to expand their access to job-creating, economy-strengthening energy resources, the U.S. Senate Environment Committee held another hearing today focused on subsidizing inefficient, intermittent, and expensive energy sources, while discouraging access to affordable and reliable ones.
Following the hearing, Thomas J. Pyle, president of the Institute for Energy Research, issued this statement:
“Another week, and another missed opportunity by Congress to address our nation’s growing energy crisis. Russia is brokering a deal with communist Cuba to drill just miles from the Florida Keys. The Chinese are voicing interest in partnering with Canada to expand energy production. And Brazil is moving at breakneck speed to develop their oil and gas reserves offshore. But in Washington, our leaders sit idly by, debating misguided policies that will increase the cost of energy, cripple our economy, and make us less competitive.
“Energy rationing and taxpayer-subsidized ‘green jobs’ has been experimented on the local, state, and national level. And universally, it has delivered higher energy costs, and less economic growth. Spain’s experience has led to an unemployment rate approaching 20 percent in its country. Denmark, often touted as the world leader in wind energy, gives away electricity at a loss. And in Lone Star state, Austin residents pay almost three times more for their ‘green’ energy.
“Our national energy strategy is upside down. Instead of advancing meaningful, supply-oriented policies that keep energy affordable for all Americans – like the ones China, Russia and Cuba are advancing – our leaders are hard at work restricting access to our vast domestic supplies, taxing our affordable carbon based energy sources, and showering the “green” energy brokers on Wall Street with subsidies (tax dollars) and mandates. Increased domestic energy production creates good-paying jobs here at home. Washington must focus on creating these good jobs, not exporting them offshore.”
More from IER on ‘Green’ Jobs and Abracadabra Energy Policy:
- Study: Spain’s Green Jobs Experience.
- IER on Secretary Salazar and Solar: Interior Secretary Limits Domestic Energy Production, but Fast Tracks Solar Development.
- IER: Abracadabra Energy Policy: Are the Generating Alternatives to Coal-Fired Electricity Ready for Waxman-Markey Targets?
- IER Blog: Will “Green Energy” Trickle Down?
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