Did Conservatives Even Listen To The Speech?
In the wake of President Obama's widely-praised first State of the Union address, conservatives were quick to attack the president's remarks on energy. The GOP, the oil industry, and the coal industry all criticized the speech for neglecting to focus on nuclear, offshore oil development, and clean coal, respectively. Had conservatives listened to the speech, they would know the president specifically addressed each of their concerns.
Reacting To State Of the Union, Conservatives Attack Obama Over Energy
Gov. Bob McDonnell:
But this Administration's policies are delaying offshore production, hindering nuclear energy expansion... [McDonnell Prepared Remarks, 1/27/10]
Institute for Energy Research's Thomas Pyle:
This Administration has discouraged common sense job creation efforts, especially responsible offshore oil and gas development... And despite widespread public support for increasing all forms of domestic energy - especially offshore - the President and his Administration continue to add layers of red tape and bureaucratic hurdles on access to homegrown energy. [Institute for Energy Research, 1/27/10]
American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity's Steve Miller:
While the United States needs to invest in a variety of clean energy technologies, it is critical that those investments include clean coal technology. Coal is used to generate nearly 50 percent of America's electricity. Investments in clean coal technology will not only create green jobs, they will also make our nation more energy secure and our environment cleaner. [ACCCE, 1/27/10]
President Obama Specifically Addressed Offshore Oil & Gas Development And Clean Coal Technology
President Barack Obama:
But to create more of these clean energy jobs, we need more production, more efficiency, more incentives. And that means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country. It means making tough decisions about opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development. It means continued investment in advanced biofuels and clean coal technologies. [President Obama Remarks, 1/27/10]
