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7/29/2019 McDonnell & Mead OpEd - Aug 22 2012 - Politico
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By Gov. Bob McDonnell and
Gov.Matt Mead
During the worst economic downturn
since the Great Depression, the
president experiments with mandatory
health insurance penalties, a failed
$831 billion stimulus and other issues.
At the same time, he largely ignores
a major policy area with tremendous,
job-boosting potential - growth of the
energy sector.
Increasing American energy production
could create millions of well-paying
jobs, provide new revenues to pay down
the federal debt, restore condence
to every business and provide more
affordable energy to households
across America - all while advancing
environmental progress.
Unfortunately, after nearly four years in
ofce, the president has failed to developa sensible, comprehensive energy policy.
In fact, by impeding projects like the
Keystone XL pipeline and enacting
policies that restrict energy production,
this administration has made clear
that it is unwilling to fully harness our
domestic energy or provide the benets
of energy development to the American
people. We need a leader with a bold
plan to get our country on the righttrack.
To ll the void in leadership from the
president, Republican governors have
developed An Energy Blueprint for
America that gives a true assessment of
the energy challenges and opportunities
facing our nation and, more importantly,
offers solutions for reaching our energy
potential. The plan recognizes the need
for a state-centric approach that utilizesevery means of energy production.
Key provisions include:
Regulatory Modernization
A cumulative cost-benet analysis
of the barrage of new regulations
promulgated and enacted by the
Environmental Protection Agen
under this administration must undertaken.
Our nations core environmen
statutes have not been modernized
over 20 years. The time has come to r
examine these statutes to make certa
environmental policy is performanc
based and responsive to changing cos
technologies and needs.
The Department of Interior hrestricted millions of square miles
federal lands and waters from ener
development. The department shou
open federal lands and waters for ener
production - and not just for renewabl
Litigation has increasingly be
the norm for determining air qual
standards. The states and private sect
need certainty - legislation is necessa
to provide this certainty.
The National Environmental Poli
Act (NEPA) process must be reform
to create consistency among fede
agencies.
Federal agencies such as the EPA mu
respect the states role in federal a
state partnerships.
An energy blueprint for America
Support state
leadership to
provide safe and
effective regulatory
management
of uranium
development.
OPINION CONTRIBUTOR
AUGUST 22, 2012
7/29/2019 McDonnell & Mead OpEd - Aug 22 2012 - Politico
2/2
Oil
Approve the remaining portion of
the Keystone XL Pipeline and ease
regulatory burdens which prevent the
construction and operation of adequate
petroleum infrastructure.
Allow for responsible development in
the National Petroleum Reserve and the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Lift restrictions on drilling on the
Outer Continental Shelf. Waters off
states like Virginia, which was removed
from the most recent Five Year Plan by
the Obama administration, should be
reopened to job-creating explorationand development.
Work with Canada and Mexico to
further develop the idea of a North
American Energy Partnership.
Natural Gas
End attempts by the federal
government to restrict natural gas
production and allow states to developsound environmental regulation.
Establish state best practices for
regulation of hydraulic fracturing.
Federal regulatory regimes layered over
state regulations increase costs and
delays with no added benet.
Coal
Reconsider federal environmental
regulations proposed and promulgatedunder the current administration.
Allow the NEPA process to ll its
intended purpose. Do not use it to block
commerce and exports.
Nuclear
Support state leadership to provide safe
and effective regulatory management of
uranium development.
Insist the federal government fulll its
obligation to implement a program to
manage used nuclear fuel.
Renewables
Any renewable or clean energy
standard for electricity production
would be counter-productive and should
be left to the states.
Infrastructure
Expedite permitting for transmission,
pipeline and renery infrastructure.
Establish sensible regulatory polic
for reners and reconsider burdensom
rules.
Research & Development
The government plays an important roin research and development but lon
term subsidies are counterproductiv
The private sector must be protable
order to develop new technologies.
Despite the impact of energy on eve
facet of the economy, Americas ener
future is not a focus of the curre
administration. These ideas offer
by Republican governors will help p
America back to work and proviAmerican economic and ener
security.
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell
Chairman of the Republican Govern
Association. Wyoming Governor M
Mead is Chairman of the Republic
Governors Public Policy Committe
Energy and Environment Committee.
AUGUST 22, 20