ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Rocky believes that people are America’s most important natural resource and that our ability to create, to think, and to build should not be hindered by government. Time and time again, hard-working Americans have proven they can solve tough problems and overcome technological challenges. That means we can be both be good stewards of our environment and access the energy resources we need to power the economy.

The wrong approach to protecting our environment can stifle economic growth, limiting the ability of industry to invest in new technologies that reduce emissions. For example, the Cap and Trade plan currently before Congress is a huge tax on both families and industry without making our environment any cleaner or healthier. The administration admits the cost is projected to be $1,700 per family, while Heritage Foundation experts have estimated the cost per family will be $3,000 or more.

Free market solutions can help to provide the energy we need, decrease our dependence on foreign energy sources, and improve the quality of our environment. For example, the U.S. is blessed with huge supply of natural gas and energy companies have new technologies that allow for the extraction of this resource without harming the surrounding land, rivers, and wildlife. At the same time, speeding up the commissioning of new nuclear energy plants will provide clean, emission-free electric power needed by industry. The federal government can also offer incentives for energy efficiency.

Rocky understands that environmental rules and regulations are a complex maze that won’t easily be untangled. That’s why he favors allowing states exemptions when they come forward with free market approaches that both protect the environment and spur economic growth and job creations. This strategy worked with welfare reform in the ’90s and can work today to make sure America has a diverse and reliable supply of energy and a healthy environment.