Rick Perry: We Need an Energy Policy ‘Focused on Promoting American Energy’
RUSH TRANSCRIPT:
"In Texas we got a record of taking action to address environmental challenges including time of change, and despite this fast-growing population, and I might add, one of the largest petrochemical refining industries in the world, we saw our climate and our air improve during that period of time. We reduced carbon output by 17%. Sulfur dioxide by 56%. Nitrogen oxide by 66%. We decommissioned 137 of these older, dirty burning plants, senator. I mean, we did it by using incentives to move to new technology, clean technology such as clean coal and carbon capture and underground storage. In Houston there is $1 billion plan plan that will be opening soon using carbon capture and sequestration. We are also using that carbon that's then injected into wells for secondary and tertiary recovery operations. I signed a law into place to retrofit some 15,000 engines under the Texas emissions reduction plan. And we provided incentives for energy efficiencies. Our willingness to develop natural gas and cat show formations have helped not only Texas reduce its carbon footprint, but other states and Mexico as well. But we truly advocated and all of the above strategy, reducing carbon emissions, not just through development of cleaner fossil fuels, but through the development of renewable resources as well but during my time as governor, Texas to the national league in wind energy development, now produces more wind as senator Cornyn reminded you of, then seven countries. Excuse me, five countries. When it comes to climate change, I'm committed to making decisions based on sound science but also take into account the economic impacts. We need an energy policy for the 21st century that is focused on promoting American energy in all forms. I am committed to working with this committee and the incoming administration to do just that. Senators, this is an historic time for America and for the energy sector. And I would be honored to be a part of that. Thank you."
