Kerry's Record on An Energy Policy for America's Future

There are few issues as far-reaching as energy. Every day, American families and businesses need reliable and affordable energy to power our homes, cars, schools, stores, factories and offices. Energy is important to our economy, our prosperity and our way of life. Unfortunately, energy production and consumption can degrade our air, land and water and deplete finite resources. Every day, American service men and women put their lives on the line overseas to ensure that oil can flow from the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere to the corner filling stations here in America. For these reasons, decisions we make today will greatly touch our economy, environment and security for generations. Throughout his career, Senator Kerry has fought for a balanced national energy policy that enhances our use of fossil fuel energy, promotes domestic renewable energy like solar, wind, geothermal and biomass and promotes clean energy technologies such as efficiency and fuel cells. Senator Kerry has always fought for Massachusetts families and consumers facing high energy costs today. Some of his work for Massachusetts and the nation is outlined below.

PROTECTING OUR PUBLIC LANDS

Senator Kerry has led the fight to protect America’s natural treasures including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil and gas drilling. President Bush has pledged to lease the Refuge’s coastal plain, its biological heart, to oil and gas companies. The resulting development would industrialize the Refuge and forever degrade its pristine ecosystem. Senator Kerry believes the benefits of drilling are simply too small and that the Refuge should be protected for future generations.

When the Bush Administration signaled that it may overturn a longstanding policy prohibiting oil and gas drilling off the coast of New England, and especially in the fishing ground of Georges Bank, Senator Kerry moved to strengthen that prohibition. The Senator amended the law preventing drilling to ensure New England’s coast had the same protections as other federal waters. The provision became law in 2001.

EFFICIENT CARS AND TRUCKS

Senator Kerry and Senator John McCain put forth a bipartisan proposal to increase the fuel economy of cars and trucks sold in America to between 32 and 36 mpg by 2015. By 2020, the proposal would save 2 million barrels of oil per day, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 127 million metric tons annually, reduce smog and ozone forming pollution by 201 million kilograms annually, reduce toxic emissions by 93 million kilograms annually, and save consumers $28 billion.

Senator Kerry is a lead cosponsor of the CLEAR Act to provide tax credits to consumers who purchase advanced technology vehicles. Using hybrid, electric, fuel cell and alternative fuel technologies, these cars, trucks and buses reduce our dependence on oil, cut pollution and save consumers money. Toyota, Honda and Ford will all have hybrids in the market starting in 2003, including S.U.V.s that will achieve 40 mpg on the highway.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Senator Kerry has called for the creation of a national renewable portfolio standard of 20 percent by 2020. Under this proposal, 20 percent of all electricity produced in the United States would come from renewable sources like wind, solar, geothermal and biomass.

Senator Kerry authored an amendment to the FY2002 Budget Resolution that increased budget authority for renewable energy, energy efficiency, research and other programs to reduce air pollution and mitigate global warming. The amendment passed the Senate.

SOUND DOMESTIC PRODUCTION & SUPPLY

Senator Kerry has called for a balanced energy policy including significant oil and gas production. He supports the exploration and development of vast tracks of state and federal land throughout the U.S., including in Alaska, in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere. For example, Alaska recently completed a lease sale of 950,000 acres on its North Slope and has plans to lease another 7 million acres. The Department of the Interior has plans to lease 3 million acres of federal land in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Some 32 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico, which British Petroleum (BP) has called one of the most promising reserves in the world, have been leased but are not, yet, in production. Senator Kerry also supports federal assistance in the creation of a pipeline carrying natural gas from the oil fields of Alaska’s North Slope to the lower 48 states.

Senator Kerry authored provisions in the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act to strengthen pipeline
safety, inspection and enforcement. There have been approximately 5,700 natural gas and oil
pipeline accidents nationwide, with 54 of them occurring in Massachusetts, since 1984. The
legislation has passed the Senate and awaits House consideration.

PROTECTING CONSUMERS
n the winter of 2000, New England was hit by skyrocketing heating oil prices. Senator Kerry called on Energy Secretary Richardson to organize a meeting to investigate the cause and solutions. The Summit took place in Boston, where Senator Kerry, industry leaders and officials from around New England joined Secretary Richardson to gather information and press for solutions.

Senator Kerry authored the Home Heating Readiness Act, a bill to require the Secretary of Energy to report to Congress on the readiness of the heating oil and propane industries to prevent and prepare for shortages. The Senator also cosponsored the Summer Fill Act, which encouraged consumers to fill tanks when fuel is relatively less expensive in the summer months. Both bills were signed into law by President Clinton.

Senator Kerry joined other New England Senators to secure funding to assist low income families facing high energy costs. Commonly referred to as LIHEAP, the program, whose funding exceeds $1.5 billion, is used to help families make regular payments in the case of emergencies and to improve home efficiency and lower heating and cooling costs.
Senator Kerry supported the creation of a Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve to respond to localized price shocks and a "swap" from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve of 30 million barrels to respond to short market difficulties. A reserve was created and a swap took place in 2000.