Public Policy Consulting

Modern Energy Forum 2012

Remarks of Ron Binz

Principal, Public Policy Consulting

September 5, 2012 • Denver

Public Policy Consulting

Public Policy Consulting

• Expertise in energy and telecom– advocacy– counsel, advising– expert testimony

• Focus areas:– climate policy– clean tech/green tech– improving regulation– enabling competition

www.rbinz.com

Public Policy Consulting

Meet the Candidates

Let’s compare their policies on --• Coal• Oil and Gas• Renewables and Energy Efficiency• Nuclear Power• Climate Policy

Public Policy Consulting

Their Energy AdvisorsRomney

Harold Hamm

Jim Talent

Gregory Mankiw

Jeffrey Holmstead

Obama

Ken Salazar

Stephen Chu

Lisa Jackson

Heather Zichal

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Coal

Romney• Would roll back EPA regulation

of greenhouse gas emissions.

• “Rules affecting coal power plants could be streamlined…”

• Accuses Obama of conducting “a war on coal”

Obama• Supported cap and trade

• Supports “clean coal” as a part of in long term energy plan

• CCS research funded in ARRA

• Allowed EPA to proceed with MATS, CSAPR, CO2, coal ash, 316(b) regulations

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Oil and Natural Gas

Romney• Will open all offshore oil

reserves to development• Would approve Keystone XL

pipeline “on Day 1”• Will not pursue “overly

aggressive interventions designed to discourage fracking altogether”

• Foresees “North American” energy independence by 2020

Obama• Will open more than 75

percent of potential offshore oil and gas reserves to development.

• Opened southern half of XL pipeline; studying balance

• “believes fracking can be done safely…”

• Promulgated new fracking rules

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Renewables

Romney• Only passing reference in

energy policy• Opposes extension of PTC• favors federally funded basic

research into green energy, but opposes subsidies and loan guarantees for specific technologies and projects

• “you can’t put a windmill on a car…”

Obama• Supports PTC extension• Significant RE funding in

ARRA• DOE, Interior, ARPA-e, FERC

have all pushed renewable energy

• Obama: “Romney shows disdain for green energy”

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Nuclear

Romney• “Revitalize nuclear power by

equipping the NRC to approve new designs and to license approved reactor designs on approved sites within two years.”

Obama• Generally supportive of

nuclear power as part of an “all of the above” strategy

• “…we supported first new nuclear plant in 30 years”

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Energy Efficiency

Romney• No mention of energy

efficiency in energy plan• Vehicle efficiency: “opposes

the extreme standards that President Obama has imposed, which will limit the choices available to American families”

• ACEEE: Romney was very good on EE as governor

Obama• Major stimulus funding for

energy efficiency• Push for vehicle fuel

standards, to 54 mpg by 2025• Tax breaks for alternative fuel

vehicles

• ACEEE: Obama has “done a masterful job” on EE

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Climate PolicyRomney• No mention of climate issues in

energy plan

• “Obama wants to heal the planet, I want to help your family.”

• Supported RGGI as governor

• “There remains a lack of scientific consensus on the issue — on the extent of the warming, the extent of the human contribution, and the severity of the risk — and I believe we must support continued debate and investigation within the scientific community.”

Obama• Supported cap and trade

legislation in 2008.

• Negotiated 2009 Copenhagen Accord

• “Climate change is the one of the biggest issues of this generation, and we have to meet this challenge by driving smart policies that lead to greater growth in clean energy generation and result in a range of economic and social benefits.”

Public Policy Consulting

I look forward to your questions.

Thanks for the invitation