The Fox News Republican undercard debate didn’t go very deep on energy policy, especially given that President Obama finalized the cornerstone of his energy and climate agenda three days ago.
The debate featured the lower tier of presidential candidates, including Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, former New York Gov. George Pataki, former Sen. Rick Santorum and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
The first question on the issue was given to Graham, who was asked what his approach to climate change would be in comparison to Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Graham has said he believes in the science of climate change.
“Trust me,” he said, “we won’t be debating about the science” of climate change when up against Clinton. Instead, the debate will be on the “solution.”
Graham immediately differentiated himself from Clinton by saying his rival would support “cap-and-trade” programs to limit emissions while hurting the economy. Instead, he would focus on “energy independence,” not an economy-wide program to limit carbon dioxide.
“Energy independence” harkens back to the presidency of former President George W. Bush, who included a variety of energy options, including expanded drilling.
Graham’s version would boost oil and gas production in the states, while simultaneously putting in place ways to use less energy, or what is commonly called “energy efficiency.”
He also said he would “build the Keystone pipeline,” Clinton “won’t.” The pipeline has been a sticking point between Republicans and Democrats. Democrats argue it would drive up emissions by moving more oil from Alberta tars sands onto the market. The GOP disagrees, associating the pipeline project with economic growth and jobs. The pipeline, which Obama’s State Department has been reviewing for more than six years, would extend from Canada to refineries on the Gulf Coast.
Gilmore was the first to volunteer his opinion on Environmental Protection Agency climate regulations, when asked about the economy, saying the regulations are a “drag on economy.”
Fiorina said as president she would immediately “undo… [the] latest round of EPA regulations,” which will harm the economy.
She was referring to the finalization of EPA’s Clean Power Plan, which Obama announced on Monday and places states on the hook to reduce emissions from power plants almost one-third by 2030. A Senate committee earlier this week passed a bill that would delay the regulations.
