Climate Change and Energy
Moving Forward with Alaska's Future in Mind

Radical, environmental, outside fundraising groups and their friends in Congress have made Alaska ground zero in the national debate over these two issues, and as Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Committee, I am well-positioned to shape this debate and protect Alaska from groups whose sole mission is to cripple the foundation of our economy and turn the entire state into a National Park; strictly a vacation destination for wealthy backpackers from the lower 48.

I believe in producing results instead of promises. Here are just a few of the bills which I have been working on as your Representative in Congress.

Climate Change
I've been criticized by these very same radical groups for questioning their propaganda - for "having my head in the sand" and "refusing to protect Alaska from the causes of global warming." I welcome their criticism and the opportunity it gives me to expose the real agenda behind their global warming hysteria.

I do not question the one and only fact at the center of the global warming debate; the earth has warmed by 1 degree Fahrenheit over the last century.

What I do challenge, however, is the degree to which man-made emissions are responsible for that warming. As responsible Americans, we must question that which is presented to us as fact and a growing number of scientists and climatologists, including experts at the University of Fairbanks, have joined me in doing so.

Such action is essential. Alaska will bare the brunt of economic and social consequences associated with the global warming solutions being proposed in Congress. They will cripple the foundation of our State's economy, put thousands of Alaskans out work, and jeopardize the economic, energy, and national security blanket Alaska has and can continue to provide for this country in the process. These irresponsible proposals are, in essence, feel good solutions to a problem the causes of which we do not fully understand. Understanding is essential; and for that reason I have actively supported development of the Barrow Arctic Climate Change Research Center. In order to protect the best interests of our State and the Nation, more research must be done, and it must be done where the consequences of warming are occurring, and it must be conducted by those most familiar with our climate.

Energy
Thanks to the confidence you've placed in me, and the broad support of my colleagues, I have had the privilege of addressing the Nation's energy needs as former Chairman, and now Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee. My work this Congress has focused on promoting policies that will reduce energy costs for all Americans and decrease our growing dependence on hostile foreign nations for resources we have in abundance here at home.

At the same time, I've been busy fighting off ill-conceived energy and natural resources legislation that would do the exact opposite. The numerous irresponsible proposals introduced this year will make us more dependent on foreign nations for the energy and mineral resources we have available domestically, further threaten our economic and national security, and send billions of dollars worth of investment and thousands of American jobs overseas in the process.

Recently, the Democrats in the House pushed through devastating bills including:

H.R. 2454 - The American Clean Energy and Security Act
This bill, which is better known as the Waxman Markey Cap and Trade bill, would place a devastating new energy tax on the U.S. consumer and drive America’s energy future off a cliff of lower supply and higher prices.

Bills Sponsored

H.R.49 - American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act
Opens the Coastal Plain of ANWR to oil and gas leasing, and uses a portion of the revenues to fund alternative and renewable energy programs.

H.R.5352 - The Alaska Clean Energy Development Act
This bill would: Make Alaska hydro renewable for the purposes of the renewable energy tax credit, federal programs, and standards, if it: 1) is less than a 50 megawatts; or is generated through the use of— (A) a lake tap or siphon; (B) pumped storage; or (C) a run of the river system.

Bills Cosponsored

H.R.964 - Emergency Solar Power Permit Act

Fast tracks all pending solar power permits on BLM lands from the NEPA process

H.R. 391 - To amend the Clean Air Act to provide that greenhouse gases are not subject to the Act, and for other purposes.
This bill would prohibit the EPA from regulating CO2 under the Clean Air Act

H.R.1431 -  No Cost Stimulus Act
This legislation would expedite the 5-year OCS leasing program with revenue sharing, open ANWR to domestic development, waive NEPA provisions for certain projects,  streamlines the licensing of nuclear power plants, prohibits the regulations of CO2 under the Clean Air Act, prohibits the ESA to be used for climate change, places restrictions on environmental litigation, among other things.

H.R.2828 - American Energy Innovation Act
This is the Western Caucus “All of the Above” Energy bill for the 111th Congress. It includes expedited OCS leasing, conservation measures, ANWR development, NEPA reforms, and nuclear assistance.

H.R.2846 - American Energy Act
Among other things this GOP “All of the Above” Energy bill my bill to open ANWR, expedited OCS leasing, NEPA reforms, and excludes the EPA from regulating carbon dioxide.

H.R.5342 - To prohibit the use of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to document, predict, or mitigate the climate effects of specific Federal actions. This bill would prohibit federal agencies from including climate change or carbon dioxide when applying the NEPA.