Candidates Discuss Energy
Energy industry leaders and two GOP presidential candidates spent the day discussing a robust and coherent U.S. energy policy on Monday.
The Colorado Energy Summit, sponsored by the Colorado Farm Bureau, Consumer Energy Alliance and the Colorado Oil and Gas Association sought to raise awareness of the importance of energy issues to our nation’s economic recovery. The three partners hosted the event at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO.
“What a better way to raise awareness about a CFB priority issue than to use the national spotlight of the campaign for President,” said Don Shawcroft, President of Colorado Farm Bureau. “We would like to thank both candidates for attending the event and connecting the dots between robust domestic energy production and economic recovery.”
Headlining the playbill were Speaker Newt Gingrich and Sen. Rick Santorum, both vying for the GOP Presidential nomination. The candidates spoke forcefully for a strong U.S. energy policy that focused on reducing the cost of energy and exploring additional sources.
Noting that he thought that affordable energy was one of our nation’s greatest assets, Sen Santorum advocated for an energy policy that leveraged our nation’s petroleum reserves.
“Thanks to hydraulic fracturing Pennsylvania now has the largest natural gas field in the world,” said Santorum, also pointing out that affordable energy is the key to reviving manufacturing in the U.S.
Speaker Gingrich focused on domestic energy production as well and put additional focus on renewable sources of energy.
Gingrich told the crowd that, “I am for developing all forms of American energy — it is vital for our national security and for our standard of living.”
Gingrich called for the use of renewable energy sources in areas where the free market dictated the extent of their development. In response to a question from an audience member, he declined to support a national renewable energy standard, saying it would only drive up costs to taxpayers and distort the dynamics of the energy market.
The Summit also brought together representatives from the Colorado energy industry for a discussion about how best to shape public policy in order to encourage growth in the sector.
Speaker Gingrich’s Remarks to the Summit
Sen. Santorum’s Remarks to the Summit
Legislative Tracking 2013
