Press Releases

Chairman Lynch: John McCain is the Wrong Choice on Renewable Energy, Expresses outrage over McCain's pandering to Big Oil and neglect of struggling families

PAWTUCKET - Today in Houston John McCain proved once again why he's the wrong choice for America's future. While Senator McCain has talked tough about energy independence on the campaign trail, today during a speech in front of his friends in big oil McCain caved into his oil allies by calling for an end to a moratorium on off-shore drilling exploration, something he campaigned against in 1999 and has opposed in places like Florida, North Carolina, Oregon, and Maine. McCain also claimed to support renewable energy, despite a clear record of voting against renewable energy incentives in the Senate.

But this comes as no surprise from the candidate who has no problem being on both sides of the same issue. Senator McCain can try to cover up the facts with campaign rhetoric, but his proposals today make it clear he offers more of the same failed energy policies and skyrocketing gas prices Rhode Island's families have suffered from under President Bush that have cost jobs here at home and done nothing to increase our energy independence.

"John McCain is the wrong choice for America's future," said Rhode Island Democratic Party Chair Bill Lynch. "While working families in Rhode Island are struggling to fill their gas tanks and pay their utility bills, John McCain wants to put more money into the hands of Big Oil. And though Senator McCain talks a big game about making our country less dependent on oil, he's voted against measures to make that possible while now advocating drilling off our coasts which will take years to produce any oil. Like the gas tax, this is another impractical Washington gimmick that will do nothing to solve our real energy crisis. Rhode Islanders want solutions not more Washington double-talk, and that's why they'll reject John McCain and elect Barack Obama president in November."

MCCAIN'S OPPOSITION TO RENEWABLES

McCain's "Mixed Record" On The Environment Includes Votes Against Tougher Fuel Efficiency Standards And Incentives For Renewable Energy. "In speeches on the campaign trail, Mr. McCain frequently highlights the threat of climate change, but he has a mixed record on the environment in the Senate. In recent years he has pushed legislation to curb emissions that contribute to climate change, but he has missed votes on toughening fuel economy standards and has opposed tax breaks meant to encourage alternative energy. Leaders of several environmental groups were also sharply critical and noted Mr. McCain's Senate votes against incentives for energy conservation and alternative energy sources like wind and solar power." [New York Times, 5/13/2008]

MCCAIN TALKS BOOSTING RENEWABLES, HE JUST WON'T PAY FOR THEM.

President Of The League Of Conservation Voters Said McCain Should Stop Subsidizing "Mature" Industry Of Nuclear Power, Start Investing In Renewable Energy. According to a statement from Gene Karpinkski, president of the League "[It] is troubling that he continues to support taxpayer subsidies for a mature industry like nuclear which has yet to resolve its waste disposal problem.It would be far more cost-effective to invest in renewable energy like the wind energy plant he is visiting today. Better still would be a call for a renewable electricity standard, something he has voted against time and time again." [The Nation, 5/12/2008]

McCain Says He Would Veto The Farm Bill -- $300 Million in Renewable Biofuels Funding. The farm bill "provides $300 million in mandatory funding for payments to support production of advanced biofuels including cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel." There is also "$250 million in grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy and energy efficiency systems for agriculture and rural small businesses." [McCain Prepared Remarks, 5/19/08; Reuters, 5/15/2008]

McCain Opposed $290 Million For R&D On Renewable Energy, Including Wind Power. McCain voted against an amendment to extend the renewable energy production tax credit and clean renewable energy bonds programs for four years including $290 Million for renewable energy R&D on Solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydropower. [2006 Senate Vote #42, 3/14/2006]

McCain Cast Deciding Vote to Cut Funding For the Rural Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program From $23 Million To $3 Million. McCain voted for a motion to concur in the House amendment with the Senate amendment on the bill that made changes to programs for a net savings of $39.7 billion over five years. [2005 Senate Vote #363, 12/21/2005]

MCCAIN CAVES TO BIG OIL ON OFF-SHORE DRILLING

1999: McCain, Campaigning In California, Endorsed A Moratorium On Offshore Oil Drilling. "For a moment, Republican presidential hopeful John McCain almost sounded like a San Francisco liberal. The Arizona senator said yesterday that gays and lesbians would be welcome to serve in his administration. He decried the influence of money in politics. He endorsed a moratorium on offshore oil drilling." [San Francisco Chronicle, 7/29/99]

1999: McCain Supports The Current Moratorium On Oil Drilling. "In response to a query of the candidates, Gore and Bradley promised to support the existing moratorium, in addition to opposing the leases. Both also say they will work with the seven oil companies holding leases to find alternatives to drilling. That could mean canceling the leases, or buying out the companies in a deal like the one that secured the Headwaters Forest. McCain supports the current moratorium, but hasn't decided on the pending leases. Steve Forbes hasn't replied to questions about oil drilling." [Ventura County Star, 11/15/99]

McCain Said He Supported Florida's Decision Not To Drill For Oil. While meeting with Gov. Charlie Crist, McCain trumpeted his support of Florida's position on oil drilling, saying "In the case of the Everglades, the people of Florida have decided they don't want that tampered with for a variety of reasons and I totally agree." [AP, 10/2/2007]

McCain Said The Decision To Drill Should Be Left Up To The States. At a campaign event in Michigan, McCain promised voters he would not drill in ANWR, arguing that it should be a states decision. McCain said, "That's a fundamental federalist principle that I have. The states should decide what to do with their assets. if the states and others want to have drilling off their coast, such as Louisiana does, then that's fine with me. We're doing a great deal off Louisiana. The people of California don't want to and, as a federalist, I will respect that, as well." [McCain Campaign Event, Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1/15/08]

But, McCain Voted Against An Amendment To Give Coastal States More Authority In Federal Off-Shore Drilling Decisions. In 1992, McCain voted to kill an amendment to the National Energy Policy bill (S 2166) which would have strengthened the role of coastal states in federal offshore drilling decisions. [1992 Senate Vote #25, 2/19/1992]

McCain Voted Against Giving Governors Veto Power Over Natural Gas Lines Located In State Waters. McCain voted against an amendment to allow state governor to veto the siting, construction, expansion or operation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, located on-shore or in State waters. [2005 Senate Vote #146, 6/22/2005]

<< View all Press Releases