Building a New Energy Economy
A smart energy policy is the key to creating jobs in Missouri. Energy drives our economy and our everyday lives. And there is no denying three basic facts. First, in the years ahead, our energy needs, in America and worldwide, will continue to grow. Second, our dependence on foreign oil threatens our national and economic security and our planet. And third, the country that leads in clean renewable energy will be the country that leads the global economy—and that should be America.
For nearly a decade, our leaders in Washington have been part of the problem. The new energy revolution isn’t going to come from Washington; it’s going to come from tapping into America’s unmatched entrepreneurial spirit and innovation. But instead of looking out for middle-class families struggling with volatile energy costs, Washington insiders have showered big oil companies with lavish tax breaks and subsidies. And instead of investing in clean renewable energy innovation here at home, Washington reinforced our dependence on foreign oil and sent billions of dollars to oil-producing countries in the Middle East. America now spends more than $13 million per hour on foreign oil.
Fortunately, with the right policies and priorities, there is no doubt that America has the resources, the people and the ingenuity to become the world’s leader in 21st century clean energy technologies like solar, wind, geothermal and biomass.
Robin believes we must turn our energy challenge into an opportunity to get America running on clean, homegrown, affordable energy, which will help fuel our economy with new jobs and businesses, strengthen our national security, and protect our environment. She is committed to fighting the special interests and the naysayers who want to preserve the status quo, because if America doesn’t lead the way toward the clean energy future, someone else will.
Missourians are also uniquely positioned to benefit from a clean energy economy: From the cutting edge science and technology being developed at institutions like the Danforth Plant Science Center, to jobs building turbine and solar panel components, to rural economic development spurred by biofuel production, carbon offsets, and wind farms—moving towards a new clean energy economy will benefit Missouri workers, businesses and farmers.
That’s why Robin supports a commonsense energy strategy that will:
- Reduce our dependence on foreign oil: Robin will work to ensure the U.S. is no longer beholden to oil-producing, anti-democratic regimes in the Middle East. That means boosting domestic energy production, promoting development of the next generation of fuel efficient vehicles, and funding research into new energy sources like advanced biofuels.
- Boost clean energy industries and jobs: Rather than rewarding multinational oil and gas companies with tax breaks and subsidies, Robin will fight to expand and create smart incentives for businesses to invest in homegrown clean energy industries and jobs—right here in Missouri.
- Fight high costs by boosting energy efficiency and independence: Robin will fight to make sure Missouri consumers are helped, not hurt, by this transition to a clean energy economy. Investing in renewable energy sources and deploying energy efficient technologies to homes and businesses will save middle-class families money and keep us from being held hostage to high fuel prices.
- Cut pollution: Robin believes it’s time to move past our dependence on the old, dirty fossil fuels of the past and toward a clean energy future that’s better for the health of our families, our economy, and our planet.
