Issue Position: Energy Independence & Climate Change

Issue Position

"Here in Washington state, we are a leader in renewable energy but in order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, meet the growing global demand for energy and reducing high energy prices we must invest in ways to better utilize renewable energy sources for our future."

-- Senator Patty Murray

Today in these tough economic times, families all across Washington state and the nation are struggling with the high cost of energy. Senator Murray has made it a priority to maintain an affordable cost of power in the Pacific Northwest region and protect people from the unfair manipulation of the energy market. But to truly break our dependence on fossil fuels, Murray believes we must support conservation and energy efficiency by investing in the development of clean renewable energy, encouraging innovation and alternative energy research and development programs across our state and the nation.

* Senator Murray has supported energy policies that benefit consumers and encourage diversification of our country's energy resources. She has also consistently supported tax incentives to jump start investment in clean energy sources and higher fuel economy standards for cars.

* Senator Murray will continue to focus on increasing energy independence and reducing costs without sacrificing the environment or further damaging the economy.

* Senator Murray has protected consumers by supporting legislation to increase criminal penalties for price gouging and to promote transparency in the energy market.

* Senator Murray has fought so that the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) can provide stable pricing. She has also fought efforts to increase regional electricity costs. In the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Murray secured $3.25 billion in additional borrowing authority to enable BPA to improve transmission lines, get renewable energy sources up and running and create new green jobs.

* Senator Murray passed legislation to extend tax credits for alternative renewable energy use and development.

* Senator Murray helped pass legislation that increased fuel economy standards for cars for the first time in 30 years.

Senator Patty Murray -- Tackling the Issue of Climate Change

"Climate change is real -- scientists agree that it is happening and that there is a better than 90% chance that it is being caused by humans. Climate change can mean more serious natural disasters and storms like Hurricane Katrina, less clean freshwater shortages and food production. We owe it to our children and future generations to get this issue under control and soon."

-- Senator Patty Murray

Although Washington state has worked hard for decades to have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the country, Congress and the federal government have to address this global problem that requires a global solution. But climate change does affect our state. We have a number of special characteristics that make this especially troubling. For example, we use snowpack from mountains for our drinking water, for hydropower systems and for our agriculture and transportation. We must address pollution and climate change soon but we need to get it right the first time.

Senator Murray will work with her colleagues to design a system that benefits and addresses the needs of our state.

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