Energy

“Our nation is faced with a growing global demand for energy, a severe reliance upon fossil fuels, high energy prices, and environmental concerns surrounding many of our current energy supplies. I believe it will take American innovation and smart policies that encourage conservation, energy efficiency, and increase renewable energy research and development to address this critical issue and create a comprehensive national energy policy.'

My Priorities
  • Investing in the development of clean renewable energy.
  • Ensuring America is less dependent on foreign sources of energy.
  • Promoting increased investment in biofuels R&D and production efforts
  • Encouraging innovation to meet our nation’s energy needs.
  • Supporting conservation and energy efficiency to reduce energy demands.
  • Maintaining low-cost power in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Protecting consumers from unfair energy market manipulation.
  • Investing in education to allow our country to continue to cultivate the scientists, researchers, and workers who will ensure we are a global leader in clean energy development.

My Accomplishments

  • I have consistently voted to repeal taxpayer funded subsidies for the oil and gas industry. Annually, these unnecessary subsidies total nearly $4 billion.
  • Secured funding for important alternative energy research and development programs.
  • Helped pass into law legislation that increased fuel economy standards for cars for the first time in 30 years.
  • Helped pass legislation to extend tax credits for renewable energy use and development.
  • Worked to ensure that the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) can provide stable and predictable rates and fought efforts to raise regional electricity prices.
  • Fought to include $3.25 billion in additional borrowing authority for BPA in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The additional authority will enable BPA to improve their aging transmission lines, bring renewable energy sources online, and help create new, green jobs throughout the Northwest.
  • Supported legislation to increase transparency in the energy market and increase criminal penalties for price gouging.
  • Cosponsored legislation to permanently ban offshore oil and gas development off the West Coast.