On Energy and the Environment Reform – Let’s Learn from the Healthcare Debate

Former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) – “Unless we want a repeat of the flawed, partisan and failed healthcare debate, let’s agree up front to focus on Energy and Environment reform solutions that enjoy wide bi-partisan support.”

Contact: Chris Barron
(202) 286-4533

(Washington, D.C.) –Today, Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) are rolling out their climate change legislation. In response, former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), current President and CEO of Main Street, issued the following statement:

“Unless we want a repeat of the flawed, partisan and failed healthcare debate, let’s agree up front to focus on energy and environment reform solutions that enjoy wide bi-partisan support. Instead of an 11th hour dog and pony show, like we saw at the Healthcare Summit, let’s have an open, transparent and truly bi-partisan effort from the start.

“We can pass legislation that will put our country on a path towards energy independence while at the same time protecting our fragile environment and while creating – not destroying – good, high-paying 21st century jobs.

“The Republican Main Street Partnership, which represents centrist Republicans in the House and Senate, has laid out our ‘Principles for Energy and Environmental Reform.’ While this list is not exhaustive, we believe it provides a solid framework around which we can forge a meaningful bipartisan compromise.”

MAIN STREET’S PRINCIPLES FOR REFORM:

1. We must recognize that energy and environmental policies are inextricably linked, and that job creation can – and should be – a critical component of any energy and environmental reform legislation.

2. We acknowledge that global climate change is real and we support implementing policies that seek to reduce emissions.

3. Recognizing that climate change is occurring our government should take reasonable steps to encourage the reduction of green house gases that contribute to climate change.

4. To find effective solutions to the energy and environmental challenges we face, Congress must undertake a truly bipartisan effort.

5. Energy and environmental legislation should not be held hostage by the most expensive and controversial provisions.

6. For the free market to truly work, all energy sources should be treated equally - the government shouldn’t pick winners and losers. Only by unleashing the innovative power of the free market can we expect to find long term environmentally friendly energy solutions.

7. We should recognize that energy is a regional issue – any comprehensive legislation dealing with energy and the environment should recognize the regional consequences and afford for those regional differences.

8. As our energy needs are expected to grow 40-50% by 2030, future US energy policies should not only encourage the deployment of renewable energy sources and new technologies, but expand and improve the efficiency of existing energy sources and traditional power generation.

9. Nuclear Power must be an important component of any comprehensive energy and environmental legislative package.

10. Congress must reverse the Massachusetts v. EPA decision that gives EPA supreme power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. By law, the EPA is prevented from taking economic considerations into account. We need to address climate change, but we must take a responsible, pragmatic approach that does not further depress our economy and cost the US jobs.

The Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) is dedicated to promoting and building a pragmatic, thoughtful, fiscally conservative, and inclusive “Governing Majority,” where political debate is encouraged to promote solutions to improve the lives of all Americans. Embracing the full spectrum of center-right ideologies and values in order to build coalitions, RMSP is the largest organization of elected leaders who are in the mold of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. For more information on RMSP, visit our website at www.republicanmainstreet.org.