Energy in the U.S. Senate race
I spent some time researching and writing on energy policy in the U.S. Senate race this week. For those who might have forgotten, your players are incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, Democratic state Sen. Kay Hagan and Libertarian Chistopher Cole.
Click here for Sunday's story on the energy policy debate.
And click here to read the graphic that accompanies the story in the Sunday paper. (PDF)
Both Hagan and Dole did events this week where they talked energy policy. Dole visited with the Chamber of Commerce down in Lincolnton to chat about economic issues, which pretty much is headlined by gas prices and energy policy these days. Hagan visited the wind power demonstration site run by Appalachian State, wanting to highlight her commitment to non-petroleum energy sources.
Click here to listen to a portion of my conversation with Dole. We start out talking nuclear and end up on her telling how she went about turning the lights off in her hotel room that morning.
To read more from Dole on energy policy:
- * a recent blog post laying out some ideas. She also includes some bullet points on energy in her economic security plan.
- * a floor statement from July 23 on energy policy.
- * A June 4 floor statement on the climate security act.
- * more from Dole’s Senate office.
Click here to listen to a portion of my conversation with Hagan. We were talking at the top of Beech Mountain standing under the wind turbines, so I apologize for the wind blowing in your ear during this clip.
For more from Hagan on energy policy:
- * This is her campaign’s energy plan.
- * Back during the primary, Hagan put a campaign ad on the air concerning energy:
Cole isn’t on the campaign stump regularly, but did send along an e-mail after we chatted over the phone, highlighting his differences with the other two candidates. I’ll paste that after the jump.
And of course, your thoughts are welcome at the comments link.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Cole’s e-mail:
- Elizabth Dole recently changed her position on offshore drilling. In response Democrat Kay Hagan complains that production from new fields offshore or in ANWR won't come in to the market for approximately ten years. Dole was right in changing her position, and Hagan is right about the time lag for new gasoline at the pump.
But where Hagan is wrong and Dole is silent is about the impact of such a policy change on CURRENT prices at the gas pump. Only Libertarian Christopher Cole explains how that FUTURE production can
lower CURRENT prices, prices which are dragging down our economy and strangling the family budget.
What Hagan ignores is the role of expected FUTURE supply on current price. Due to OPEC intransigence and possible interruptions due to Bush policy against Iran, speculators fear interruptions to oil supply for years to come. They have therefore bid up prices on present shipments, in order to assure their future inventory. With that future supply assured by increased access at home, that price pressure will be removed, resulting in immediate easing of pump prices.
Cole supports open access to offshore oil and natural gas deposits, as well as those under federal lands, such as the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve. Not only would that assure future oil supply, but it will provide economic growth and high-wage jobs in such regions as North Carolina's coastal plain. Cole also disputes the alarmist response of some on the left who complain of ecological risks, pointing out that major spills, such as the Exxon Valdez in Alaska, have always come from tankers, not rigs or modern land-based pumps.
For further information, Cole recommends this article from the Ludwig von Mises Institute, a free-market economics think tank, based at Auburn University: http://mises.org/story/3047
--
Christopher Cole
Libertarian nominee, US Senate
Huntersville, NC
http://www.lpnc.org/2008/us_senate.php
http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=12999
Comments (2)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
Did witch Hagan, tell about her eminent domain policy, every thing belongs to the government.
Did she tell about how her and the corrupt good ole boys have wreck the states budget. How they went 875 million in debt, without the consent of the taxpayers. How there is plenty of PORK to buy votes. Little for state employees?
Her lack of energy program SUCKS.
Posted on August 10, 2008 7:40 PM
Dog:
Welcome to the comments. You're welcome to take issue with candidates and their policies, but please avoid name-calling. It only detracts from your point anyway.
Is there something specific in Hagan's energy policy with which you take issue? It's certainly fair game to disagree but to say she doesn't have one doesn't seem accurate.
Since we were talking about energy policy, we didn't discuss about the state budget, eminent domain policy or state employees. However, I would point out those have been subjects of other posts here and stories in the paper.
Posted on August 10, 2008 7:48 PM