Lankford: President’s Climate Speech Just A Checkbox For Environmentalists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2013

Lankford: President’s climate speech just a checkbox for environmentalists

Washington, DC — House Republican Policy Committee Chairman James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement after the President delivered his climate change speech today at Georgetown University.

“The President checked a box on his to-do list for environmentalists today. However, once again, his energy rhetoric fails to live up to reality,” said Lankford.

Amid the President’s political push for clean energy, he made the assertion that our economy would falter if we stopped using fossil fuels. Unfortunately, that appears to be exactly what Americans will do, if his plans become reality. As protestors gathered outside Georgetown University in support of the Keystone XL pipeline, the President suggested that approval hinges on its impact on climate change.

“Keystone XL will be subject to some of the most stringent safety regulations,” observed Lankford. “TransCanada was able to mitigate the Nebraska Governor’s concerns about the location of the pipeline, and the State Department’s draft report issued in March suggests there is no outstanding reason NOT to build the pipeline. Given the State Department’s report, he should approve it today. The Administration is not studying the merits anymore, they are stalling progress.

“What is strange is that he stated he believes natural gas is a ‘transition fuel’ despite the fact that North America has an abundance that could last us 100 years or more. I believe natural gas, as a part of a real ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy, is not just transitional but the clean fuel of the future.”

The President also called on the EPA to implement a carbon standard for fossil fuel-powered generators, which would make it cost prohibitive to build any new coal power plants and harm existing plants by driving prices up for consumers. The President also requested an increase in emissions standards from the EPA for gasoline-powered automobiles. He also praised the EPA for its transparency and willingness to move important initiatives.

“Oklahoma energy companies have already seen the EPA’s closed-door consent decrees and sue-and-settle tactics stifle domestic energy production in favor of excessive regulation and federal control. Unless the President forces the EPA to change its tactics, there is no reason for them to change,” observed Lankford.

“As Oklahomans watch their electricity prices skyrocket this summer, the President told us today, ‘you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.’ This speech is yet another example of the way in which this Administration favors clean energy rhetoric over real solutions for lower energy costs and American energy independence,” concluded Lankford.

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