Cornyn Has Change of Heart on Renewable Energy?
Dallas, Tex. – Despite tonight’s rhetoric about renewable energy, Cornyn’s voting record tells a different story about his unwavering support for the oil companies funding his campaign, said the Rick Noriega campaign.
Cornyn has voted against renewable energy AT LEAST SEVEN times. Cornyn opposed the core of T. Boone Pickens plan – incentives for renewable energy development, at least twice. He has voted against extending tax credits for renewable energy and has blocked legislation that would have given a boost to the rapidly growing Texas wind power industry. Cornyn repeatedly opposed increasing production of energy from renewable sources, raising fuel efficiency standards and reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
“While Cornyn may talk about renewables – it’s just talk. He has repeatedly voted against renewable energy development,” said Holly Shulman, Press Secretary. “Texans need a Senator committed to making Texas a world energy leader by championing development of renewable sources that will create jobs and make the U.S. energy self-sufficient.”
JOHN CORNYN’S RECORD AGAINST RENEWABLES
Cornyn Has Blocked Renewable Fuel Development At Least Seven Times. Cornyn consistently voted against renewable energy development. [S 3335 Vote 192, 7/30/08; HR 6049 Vote 147, 6/10/08; Vote 190, 7/29/08; Vote 222, 6/21/07; Vote 223, 6/21/07; Vote 42, 3/14/06; Vote 73, 4/29/04]
John Cornyn Blocked the Core of T. Boone Pickens’ Plan for Energy Independence – Renewable Tax Credits. The Dallas Morning News reported that “[T. Boone Pickens] might be disappointed” when Sen. John Cornyn “blocked a big tax bill that would have extended a tax credit on which wind developers rely for another year.” [Dallas Morning News, 7/31/08; S 3335 Vote# 192 7/30/08; HR 6049 Vote #147 6/10/08; #190 7/29/08;]
Cornyn Twice Voted Against A Renewable Energy Tax Package. Cornyn twice voted against a bill to that collected $29 billion from big oil in order to fund alternative energy sources. [Vote 222, 6/21/07; Vote 223, 6/21/07; Senate Finance Committee Markup, 6/19/07; Dow Jones, 6/19/07; AP, 6/19/07; Chicago Tribune, 6/21/07; The Hill, 6/22/07]
Cornyn Celebrated Rejection of Tax Incentives for Alternative Energy. Cornyn praised the blocking of an amendment offered by Senator Max Baucus that would have established $32.1 billion in tax incentives for alternative energy sources. [Vote 223, 6/21/07; Cornyn Release, 6/21/07]
- Defeat of Amendment Deemed “Victory for the Oil Industry.” The New York Times described Republican efforts to block the amendment as a “victory for the oil industry.” They reported, “In a victory for the oil industry, Republican lawmakers successfully blocked a crucial component of the Democratic plan that would have raised taxes on oil companies by about $32 billion and used the money on tax breaks for wind power, solar power, ethanol and other renewable fuels.” [Vote 223, 6/21/07; New York Times, 6/22/07]
Cornyn Voted Against Extending Renewable Energy Tax Credit. In March 2006, Cornyn voted against extending the renewable energy production tax credit for four years. The budget amendment also would have provided $4 billion for LIHEAP and other energy and conservation programs. [Vote 42, 3/14/06; Albuquerque Tribune, 3/15/06]
Cornyn Blocked Texas Wind Power Expansion. Cornyn blocked legislation that would have given a boost to the rapidly growing Texas wind power industry. The Dallas Morning News reported that the renewable energy standard—provisions that would require states to purchase 15 percent of their power from wind, solar, and other zero or low emissions sources– contained in the 2007 Energy Bill would greatly benefit Texas. They wrote, “Texas is strongly positioned to benefit from such legislation, mostly because wind farms have proliferated in recent years while credits were traded on a voluntary market. But with a new round of wind plants on the horizon, many wind developers would find new takers for their credits on a national market.” The paper reported that Cornyn had “blocked it by preventing the energy bill from going to a conference committee.” [Dallas Morning News, 11/7/07]
Cornyn Voted Against Renewable Fuel Requirements. In 2004, Cornyn voted to kill a bill that required that gasoline sold or introduced into the United States contain renewable fuel in specific amounts. [Vote 73, 4/29/04]
Cornyn Voted Against Increasing Reliance on Renewable Energy. In 2005, Cornyn voted against an amendment that mandated renewable energy sources produce at least 10 percent of the electricity sold by electric utilities by 2020, and that a minimum of 2.5 percent must be produced beginning 2008 through 2011. [Vote 141, 6/16/05; Albuquerque Tribune, 6/17/05]
Cornyn Voted Against Bill to Increase Sales of Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles, With Goal of 2.5 Million Sold Annually By 2020. In 2003, Cornyn was one of only 32 to vote against a bill that would have supported the production of 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010 and 2.5 million vehicles annually by 2020. It also required the department to establish targets for the sale of hydrogen at fueling stations and require the Energy secretary to submit an annual progress report to Congress. [Vote 212, 6/10/03]
Cornyn Voted Against Increasing CAFE Standards to 40 MPG by 2014. In 2003, Cornyn voted against increasing CAFE standards to 40 mpg by 2014. According to the League of Conservation Voters the change would have saved the country 3.1 billion barrels of oil a day. [Vote 309, 7/29/03; Washington Times, 7/30/03; www.LCV.org]
Cornyn Voted Against Boosting CAFE Standards. In 2005, Cornyn voted against mandating phased increases in CAFE standards. Passenger vehicles made before 2008 would have to average 25 mpg. The standard would gradually increase to 40 mpg by model year 2016. Non-passenger vehicles made before 2008 would have to average 17 mpg. By model year 2016, the standard would rise to an average of 27.5 mpg. [Vote 157, 6/23/05]
