By Meg Handley
U.S. News & World Report
Top Republican senator on energy issues Lisa Murkowski unveiled an energy blueprint Monday chock full of about 200 policy recommendations, including increased development of the nation’s abundant natural gas and oil resources, and the establishment of an “Advanced Energy Trust Fund” to finance clean energy research and help pay down the national debt.
“Call it a conversation starter,” Murkowski—who represents a major oil-producing state—said at a press conference Monday. “It is intended to be a source of ideas for discrete legislation that can attract, after vigorous debate, a strong base of support from a political and geographically diverse group of Members.”
Among other policy recommendations and goals contained in the blueprint—dubbed Energy 20/20—are approving the Keystone XL pipeline, easing permitting regulations for oil and gas production on federal lands, and research and development into energy storage technologies that would make wind and solar more cost-effective.
Murkowski conceded that climate change has to be a factor in considering the nation’s energy policy, but argued that Congress is unlikely to move forward with initiatives such as cap-and-trade and the carbon tax. That’s where the “Advanced Energy Trust Fund” part of the blueprint comes in.
Related: Vast Oil Reserve May Now Be Within Reach, and Battle Heats Up
Also: New Poll Finds Overwhelming Support For A Carbon Tax Over Spending Cuts For Deficit Reduction
If you’d like to discuss energy issues, contact Court Rich, Co-Chair of Rose Law Group’s Renewable Energy Department at crich@roselawgroup.com
