Rep. Latta Echoing Failed Policies Of President Bush

Offshore Drilling

Rep. Latta Sang The Praises Of Drilling In The Outer Continental Shelf.  In an op-ed appearing in The Hill, Rep. Bob Latta wrote:

One of our nation's untapped resources for oil and gas is the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The Interior Department estimates that the OCS holds up to 86 billion barrels of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Significant portions of the OCS remain unavailable because the current administration continues to delay leasing activities. The American Energy Act increases the supply of American energy by immediately moving forward with a leasing program on the already open OCS. The bill also simplifies and harmonizes the OCS. [Latta op-ed, The Hill, 6/15/09]

President Bush Sang Praises Of Drilling In The Outer Continental Shelf.  While speaking outside the White House, President Bush said:

Experts believe that the OCS could produce about 18 billion barrels of oil. That would be enough to match America's current oil production for almost 10 years. The problem is that Congress has restricted access to key parts of the OCS since the early 1980s. Since then, advances in technology have made it possible to conduct oil exploration in the OCS that is out of sight, protects coral reefs and habitats, and protects against oil spills. With these advances--and a dramatic increase in oil prices--congressional restrictions on OCS exploration have become outdated and counterproductive.  Republicans in Congress have proposed several promising bills that would lift the legislative ban on oil exploration in the OCS. I call on the House and the Senate to pass good legislation as soon as possible. [President Bush statement, 6/18/08]

Drilling In The Arctic

Rep. Latta Sang The Praises Of Opening The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  In an op-ed appearing in The Hill, Rep. Bob Latta wrote:

Our bill further increases American energy by opening the Arctic Coastal Plain to exploration in an environmentally sound manner, which could provide an additional 1 million barrels of oil per day. [Latta op-ed, The Hill, 6/15/09]

President Bush Sang Praises Of Opening The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  During a question and answer session in Florida, President Bush said:

I think we ought to be drilling in ANWR--it's called ANWR. I know we can do it and protect the environment at the same time. And I know there's a lot of untapped gas up there that we ought to get down through pipeline as well. I don't know where all the oil goes coming out of the pipeline now. I'll try to find out for you." [Bush Press Conference, 5/9/06]

Nuclear Power

Rep. Latta Backed Construction Of Additional Nuclear Power Plants.  In an op-ed appearing in The Hill, Rep. Bob Latta wrote:

The 104 nuclear reactors in America today provide the United States with 20 percent of its electricity and 73 percent of its CO2-free electricity, yet no new reactors have been ordered since 1978. Last month, I had the privilege of touring the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in San Luis Obispo, Calif., with the American Energy Solutions Group.  During our tour, we heard repeated stories of bureaucratic red tape that power suppliers must cut through to continue to operate or establish a nuclear power facility. The American Energy Act looks to simplify this process and establishes a goal to bring 100 new nuclear reactors online over the next 20 years by outlining an accelerated regulatory process for new nuclear applications for companies who already meet certain requirements set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. [Latta op-ed, The Hill, 6/15/09]

President Bush Backed Construction Of Additional Nuclear Power Plants.  During a weekly radio address, President Bush said:

Nuclear power generates large amounts of low-cost electricity without emitting air pollution or greenhouse gases. Yet nuclear power now produces only about 20 percent of America's electricity. It has the potential to play an even greater role. For example, over the past three decades, France has built 58 nuclear power plants and now gets more than 78 percent of its electricity from nuclear power. Yet here in America, we have not ordered a new nuclear powerplant since the 1970s. So last summer, I signed energy legislation that offered incentives to encourage the building of new nuclear plants in America. Our goal is to start the construction of new nuclear power plants by the end of this decade. [President Bush's Weekly Radio Address, 2/18/08]

Tax Incentives For Energy Efficiency

Rep. Latta Backed Tax Incentives For Energy Efficiency.  In an op-ed appearing in The Hill, Rep. Bob Latta wrote:

Lastly, the American Energy Act provides tax incentives for businesses and homeowners who improve their energy efficiency. It also extends tax credits for using energy-efficient appliances and making energy-efficient upgrades to existing homes, a tax credit for individuals who purchase a new energy-efficient home and a tax credit for energy-efficient commercial buildings, home energy audits and smart meters. [Latta op-ed, The Hill, 6/15/09]

President Bush Backed Tax Incentives For Energy Efficiency.  During a press conference announcing the "Blue Skies" initiative, President Bush said:

By doing all these things, by giving companies incentives to cut emissions, by diversifying our energy supply to include cleaner fuels, by increasing conservation, by increasing research and development and tax incentives for energy efficiency and clean technologies, and by increasing carbon storage, I am absolutely confident that America will reach the goal that I have set. [Bush Remarks in Silver Spring, MD, 2/14/02]