Reply from Senator McCaskill-Clean Energy and Congress

On Thu, Sep 30, 2010 at 4:32 PM, <senator@mccaskill.senate.gov> wrote:

September 30, 2010

Dear St Louis Renewable Energy,

Thank you for contacting me regarding clean energy and oil spill liability legislation.  I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.

As you may know, in late July, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada introduced S.3663, the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act of 2010.  This bill would take four important steps toward addressing our country's longstanding energy challenges.  First, it would ensure that oil companies and not taxpayers will be held liable for any damage caused by future oil spills.  Second, it would reduce our energy consumption and create jobs by investing in Home Star, an energy efficiency program with bipartisan support.  Third, it would reduce our dependence on foreign oil by making significant investments in vehicles that run on electricity and natural gas.  Lastly, it would protect our environment by investing in the Land and Water Conservation Fund.  If enacted, all the investments made pursuant this legislation will be paid for by increasing the amount oil companies are required to pay into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.  Leader Reid has announced plans for the Senate to consider this legislation in the coming months.

Recently, I have heard from many Missourians, some with concerns and others in support of S.3663.  Many Missourians are disappointed that the legislation does not attempt to put a price on carbon, include a renewable energy standard that will help diversify how we produce energy, or provide funding for the National Historic Preservation Fund.  Others have raised concerns about the impact this legislation may have on U.S. oil companies.  In addressing the latter point, I think it is important to note that oil companies receive billions in taxpayer funded tax credits every year to continue their operations in the United States.  In fact, in the first quarter of 2010, profits for the top five oil companies exceeded $21 billion, a 38 percent increase over first quarter profits in 2009.  There are, however, several Democratic and Republican senators currently working with the Senate Majority Leader to find compromise language that will address the concerns of those states where oil companies contribute significantly to the local economy.  I am hopeful an agreement will be reached in the coming months that wins broad support and ensures this legislation remains paid for, meaning that it would not add to the national debt in these fiscally-constrained times.

While I understand that many Missourians are frustrated that Leader Reid did not decide to bring legislation before the full Senate that directly address the issue of climate change by requiring a cap on carbon emissions or include a renewable energy standard, it should not be overlooked that this bill goes a long way towards reducing our dependence on foreign oil and increasing our energy efficiency, both of which will help to reduce our emissions and the amount of energy consumption.  I have been a longstanding supporter of efforts to address climate change and increase our use of renewable energy.  In fact, I supported the renewable energy standard that was passed by Missouri voters in 2008, which requires Missouri's utilities to produce 15 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2021.  I have also recently cosponsored the Renewable Electricity Promotion Act (S. 3813) introduced by Senator Bingaman of New Mexico, which would establish a federal renewable energy standard similar to the one supported by Missourians.  However, I remain concerned that the current proposal to regulate greenhouse gas emissions does not include enough protections for Missouri consumers, who have no choice but to rely on power generated from coal.  I believe we must and can do better for Missourians who are already struggling to make ends meet.  As this debate continues, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a solution that addresses the threat of climate change while protecting Missouri consumers.  

As Congress considers how to address these difficult challenges, please know that I will keep the interests of all Missourians in mind before I cast any votes.

Again, thank you for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance to you on this or any other issue.

Sincerely,

Claire McCaskill
United States Senator

P.S. If you would like more information about resources that can help Missourians, or what I am doing in the Senate on your behalf, please sign up for my email newsletter at www.mccaskill.senate.gov.

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