On the issues: Energy policy

Question by Columbian staff writer Kathie Durbin:

Describe briefly your vision for the nation’s energy future and the region’s. What new energy sources should the federal government promote/subsidize? Do you believe it’s possible for the U.S. to wean itself from fossil fuels? Regarding the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, what steps, if any, would you support to hold BP accountable, repair the environmental and economic damage in the region, and strengthen federal spill prevention rules?

David Castillo, Republican

We are blessed in the Pacific Northwest with an abundance of hydroelectric energy that provides us with lower energy rates than other part of the country. In addition, the presence of BPA provides us with some consistency for our energy grid. Although I support the use of wind, solar, biomass, and other “alternative” forms of energy, they are not currently capable of meeting the energy needs of our region.

I support continued investment in wind energy and would like to see a renewed interest and emphasis on biomass. In addition, I support the siting of new nuclear energy plants. Nuclear energy represents the cleanest, least costly, and most efficient energy source. Additionally, if we transform the American auto fleet from gasoline powered to electric powered, only nuclear energy will provide the increased energy needed for that transition.

I agree with former CIA Director James Woolsley that our goal should be to make oil the “salt of the 21st century”. Meaning, if we wean ourselves off of oil, oil becomes as important as table salt in our economy. However, I also realize that a shift from a fossil fuel based economy will not happen overnight. To that end, I believe it is in our national interest to explore for and utilize the natural resources (oil, natural gas, coal, etc.) that are available in this country.

With regard to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, it has been an environmental disaster of catastrophic proportions. I believe that BP is being held accountable for its role in the spill and will continue to be held accountable as legal action is taken against them. However, the Federal government’s response to the spill has been inadequate at best. The environmental review process has hindered efforts by Louisiana to build barrier islands, the Jones Act was not waived to allow expert countries (like Norway and Denmark) to bring skimmers in to help contain the spill, and it took the government too long to allow private boat owners to assist with spill containment.

Cheryl Crist, Democrat

We have the ability to move away from fossil fuels, and we must do it as soon as possible. I will vote to subsidize all regionally appropriate clean energy technologies until they can stand on their own feet, and I’ll vote to stop subsidizing oil and coal. The BP disaster and the Massey coal mine explosion show that we cannot rely on these old forms of energy — they are too dangerous, not only to the environment, but to human lives, as well. In Germany, individual homes are built with solar panels on their roofs, and citizens sell extra power back to the grid to recoup enough money to cover the cost of the panels. I’ll work for similar programs here — that provide safe, cheap, clean energy. The sun and the wind are gifts from God — renewable energy that doesn’t pollute or put our health at risk — and we must make the most of them.

We must hold BP accountable for every dollar lost as a result of their oil explosion. I applaud President Obama for negotiating a $20 billion escrow fund, and BP must fund any costs beyond that, as well. We cannot drill for oil without a guarantee of safety — and if that is not possible, we cannot drill at all. I’ll vote to oppose any expansion of off-shore drilling.

Denny Heck, Democrat

It is imperative to reduce our reliance and dependence on fossil fuels, for improved environmental health and importantly, national security. We have to get from under the thumb of people who hate us.

There are incredible opportunities in Southwest Washington to grow our economy through clean energy projects and the creation of green jobs. We can make targeted investments that conserve energy, like commercial building retrofitting, and create good jobs. We can place a high priority on all forms of renewable energy, and train a skilled workforce to manage projects like the wind farms up and down the Columbia River Gorge.

With regards to BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, we must hold British Petroleum responsible for the greatest environmental disaster in our country’s history. I support forcing BP to pay $20 billion into an escrow account to help the millions of people affected by the oil spill but do not think it should be capped as we don’t know the true extent of this disaster. Additionally, the Department of Interior completely dropped the ball on oversight of these deepwater drilling locations. Additional safety audits of all existing deep water drilling operations should also move forward immediately, while the recovery and clean-up efforts continue.

David W. Hedrick, Republican

Any nation that lacks the ability or political will to provide for the energy needs of its own people is a nation that will find itself at the mercy of foreign governments.

The U.S. has a tremendous amount of untapped oil, coal and natural gas resources as well as the potential for the use of safe nuclear power. New discoveries of plentiful supplies of energy providing fossil fuels and minerals are being found at an accelerated pace. By some estimates, the U.S. has more unused natural resources capable of producing energy than any other nation in the world, and larger quantities of oil than even the Middle East.

For our country to wean itself off foreign supplies of energy, we must increase the use of resources found right here at home. Burdensome government regulations based on phony science has prevented our nation from achieving energy independence for far too long. As a Congressman, I will fully support an energy plan that greatly eliminates restrictions on U.S. energy exploration and production.

Companies, including energy companies, have an obligation to pay for damages in the event that they injure or damage a third party. These damages should be determined and assessed in a court of law, in the light of day and not in back-room meetings at the White house where unlawful pressure is put on leaders of companies to conform with political agendas. In the specific case of BP, they have the responsibility to cover any and all damages caused by their corporation permitted under law.

Jaime Herrera, Republican

I believe in the “all of the above” energy approach. We need domestic energy sources including wind and solar, clean coal technology, nuclear and we need to protect the clean, renewable hydro resources we already have. I’ve been a proponent for biomass at the state level, because it’s a promising, clean form of energy that holds the potential for jobs and increased energy sources here in Southwest Washington. Incentives, not punishment, should be the path to more renewable energy. I don’t support cap and trade legislation that would increase the average family’s energy bills by about $1,700 per year.

My policy for oil companies is simple: clean up your own mess. Just as in the financial industry, the taxpayers should not be on the hook for the negligence or bad decisions of private companies like BP. I support removing the cap on damages paid by oil companies, and believe that questions of how the Gulf disaster took place must be answered before further deep ocean energy exploration is pursued elsewhere. All of us would love to see the day when our economy is no longer dependent on fossil fuels. But today, the reality is that every time gas prices go up, people lose jobs and I support safe and responsible energy exploration.

Norma Jean Stevens, Independent

It will take many years to wean ourselves from fossil fuels in the U.S. and abroad. In the meantime, we can look at several sources of natural energy. Solar, wind and hydro power are all good examples. We need to listen to and encourage all ideas and innovations. We must not allow special interest groups or big money to influence or affect the choices that we make in regard to our energy policies. The oil spill in the gulf is in part the current administration’s fault. They allowed drilling in water that was too deep without a plan for an emergency as the one that happened. I would work to consult every expert from around the globe to help solve the problems arising from the spill. I would need to talk to experts in the oil industry and to others with the knowledge to determine what regulations, etc., would be best for all and also constitutional. BP is, so far, claiming to be doing the best it can and are accepting blame. I think we need to get more help from sources other than BP. The president needs to wave the Jones Act, which keeps foreign ships from our waters and accept help from other countries.