Romney Outlines Energy Policy

In a speech given on Thursday in New Mexico, Romney provides details on what the energy policies of a Romney administration might look like. If energy policy is important to you in November, this was an important speech.

1.

His goal would be that the United States would not need to import any oil from any nation other than Canada and Mexico by the year 2020.

2.

According to Romney, the government has no place in investing in alternative energy research. "[Obama has] taken federal dollars, your money, to advance these companies — solar companies, wind companies — $90 billion in so-called green jobs...I don't want the government investing in companies, particularly companies of his campaign contributors."

3.

He wants to drill in the federal Alaskan wildlife reserve, which he claims will create millions of jobs and billions in new tax revenue.

4.

Romney wants to expand off-shore drilling, including new platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and in the waters along Virginia and North Carolina.

5.

Romney wants to give the states the ability to dictate energy production policy on federal lands within their borders. For example, Alaska would be able to determine if drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge should be permitted.

6.

He would approve completion of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would run from oilfields in Canada south to Texas refineries. Environmentalists, most especially in Nebraska, are concerned about the impact on delicate ecosystems along the pipeline's path.

7.

He believes that emerging energy technologies need to compete head-to-head with established fossil-based energy sources, allowing the market to pick winners and losers. "I think all energy sources need to stand on their own two feet...I would level the playing field."