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American Crossroads Director of Communications Jonathan Collegio and Heritage Foundation Policy Analyst Nick Loris on energy policy becoming a key iss...
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Anything for the country Jonathan collect geo director of communications for American crossroads and that -- policy analyst for The Heritage Foundation.
Join me now this is interesting Jonathan I'll start with you this war of words going on today.
You -- Mitt Romney has been very critical of this wind energy tax credit.
He wants to pull it away but there -- Republicans who like it what is this going to mean to -- and particularly in Iowa swing state.
Well behind its ideological issue whether or not we should have renewable energy wind solar or fossil fuel energy coal and oil -- and so forth.
There is a process issue behind this because every year at the end of the year congress passes this.
This kind of -- patchwork of tax fixes the R&D tax credit.
They've -- and and you know things like the AMT fix and this wind had this windmill that tax credit has is coming to part of this unfortunately what happens is they kick it off to the end of the year.
The lawmakers are able to juice the industries for campaign contributions before they pass it.
And that's what that's what this wind energy thing has fallen into we're not really debating it's a much on the on the merits of wind energy vs coal.
But whether I'll whether or not a politician -- -- raise money off.
-- -- and here's what amazes me about this tax credit.
It supports some 30% of the industry's cost per person who so with that what tax credit no wonder people are angry about it when -- say should wind.
People who want to get into the wind energy business should they pay their own way or should you know taxpayers have to pay part of the bill.
You're absolutely right they should pay -- own way as should every energy source -- we have a robust energy demand in this country.
And the ones that can produce energy for the lowest costs.
Without subsidies should be the ones providing us with.
Low cost affordable energy because energy is the lifeblood of our economy so why not have the low cost affordable energy -- and knows that.
Are on economic call and can't survive without subsidies should fall by the wayside.
All right let you know that low cost energy supplies obviously coal.
It supports -- most of that electricity generation in this country a large proportion -- -- at least.
Just when you look at that you know the president really has targeted -- He wants to stop its production essentially is using EPA regulations to -- -- you think voters will it will decide hey.
You know I'm that'd make a vote based on how the president is treating coal.
Two things have to happen first the industry has to make -- the case that jobs will be lost and the second thing consumers really need to know that this is gonna mean higher prices for them.
When when energy prices are low it's a boon to the economy not only for the consumer who's paying lessening -- suspend -- restaurant.
Or flowers -- on vacations -- have a thing.
But also for manufacturers eye toward an eye toward a paper factory northwest -- -- number of years ago and they actually had to lay off a bunch of people once summer because the energy costs were too high.
For them to make payroll they don't have this flexibility to be able just raise prices and pass along to this really does create jobs it really does harm consumers with regard to prices and that's the message of the industry well I think Republicans.
Pat -- right.
And it to you Mitt Romney was in Ohio today where they'd closed six coal fired plants due to these new EPA regulations here's what -- said.
One promise he kept.
With regard to energy.
He said if he's elected president and his policies get put in place the cost of credit he -- skyrocket that's what he's kept.
They also sitting go out of -- the new -- -- if you want but if you do you go bankrupt that's another promise he's intent on keeping.
Sixteen you -- did that costs of complying nationally with those new coal regulations from the EPA some nine point six.
Billion dollars a lot of these plants are going to close.
You study this all the time what's it gonna mean for Americans.
-- it's not great obviously aunt -- right when you take away.
Our largest provider of electricity prices are going to necessarily skyrocket and it's not just Environmental Protection Agency there's a lot of regulations coming down on.
Coal mining as well and this is destroying jobs it's raising the cost of energy and we've been fortunate a little bit that there's glut of natural gas has helped stave off.
Some of the economic devastation as a result of these regulations by it.
We need to have a competitive energy market and we shouldn't be unnecessarily driving -- coal production.
-- -- -- The president says he -- and all of the above energy plan true or false.
It reminds me elect a little kid who says he'll eat anything and about all he wants to eat at the kitchen table the chicken nuggets and pizza.
He doesn't want all of the above he doesn't want coal.
He wants to tax oil and gas out of existence he wants very very specific things he wants is a chicken nuggets he likes the and he doesn't want all the -- things that are really good for the economy.
Picked up such a great way to put it -- -- about our right.
Mickey though I almost missed the story yesterday but the interior secretary Ken Salazar announced new drilling -- AMR -- 123 million acres.
These opening up what's going on here is this just an election year employer.
-- has -- Obama administration changed its mind.
No they haven't changed your mind it's it's a little bit of where were already drilling and if you were sincerely.
In few opening up access to drilling he would of opened up divert opened up the Virginia coast he would be more Grasso and of off the coast of Alaska but you have to democratic senators were supportive of -- -- Of drilling.
Off the Virginia -- coasts because they understand the economic benefits and that it can be done in an environmentally sensible manner -- now this is.
Parlay election year politics and trying to appease both sides of the same time -- that his.
Record on oil and gas production is quite clear.
And -- and it's not that good I think it's what you're saying.
Jonathan do you wanna switch up a little bit here are -- Brit Hume had a chance to interview Paul Ryan today.
Which -- respond to something the congressman had to say areas.
Here's the issue.
What -- Obama trying to do with his Medicare plan.
He's trying to count a dollar twice he's trying to suggest of these Medicare cuts can help Medicare it doesn't because he's taking those dollars from Medicare to spend -- obamacare.
We prevent that from happening in house but abut the let's be clear here -- I am on the Romney ticket and what Mitt Romney is proposing its repeal all of obamacare.
-- just happened that didn't know.
Reaction.
To Ryan is amazing to me in the media it's like there were care we're comparing -- to -- then.
You know that he is that you know his workout habits are being examined -- really interesting he seems to be this you know hot star right now can -- maintain it.
And willing make a big difference to the ticket.
Well a couple of experts say he really does have a lot of big ideas and I think that basically the message from the Romney campaign to the Obama campaign is to put up or shut up.
If you're gonna -- you're gonna criticize putting together a big plan for the fiscal future of the country you're gonna criticize a big plan to put costs under control for Medicare entitlements and you yourself are not gonna have a plan put on the table.
Then put up or shut up stop criticizing that you have a plan I think that's a case of the gonna make over the over the next couple months and I think that they're making a well.
Well -- you know -- we get back talking about actual policy and problems and how to make life better for Americans that would be a shocker.
China couldn't -- -- thanks for coming in tonight.
It's a pleasure to have you here thank you.
