Let the Democrats peddle the Green New Deal. Republicans say it’s better to innovate than regulate.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans held an “Innovation Showcase” Monday to champion products and technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions without policies that would “choke down the economy,” said ranking member Rep. Greg Walden (pictured).
“They can have their Green New Deal,” said the Oregon Republican, who plans to retire at the end of the congressional session. “We’re not into the high taxation, aggressive top-down regulation that frankly we think leads to economic stagnation.”
About 20 local companies and universities from across the country participated in the event, held at the Rayburn House Office Building Foyer, promoting advances and technologies such as carbon sequestration, renewable natural gas, multi-emissions filtration systems, and modular light-water reactor nuclear power.
At one point, Mr. Walden held up a block of fire-resistant cross-laminated wood from the Oregon-based company D.R. Johnson. The product is billed as strong enough to use in high-rise construction, thus eliminating emissions from the making of steel.
“As you look around these companies that are trying to turn waste emissions and products into new energy sources, or better battery storage, or other ways to conserve our new energy technology, it’s the path to the future,” Mr. Walden said. “Americans should lead on this. We always have, and this is an opportunity to lead going forward.”
Weary of being ripped by Democrats as climate deniers, Republicans have increasingly championed innovation and an all-of-the-above energy approach to counter demands for “climate emergency” measures such as the Green New Deal resolution, which would all but eradicate fossil fuel energy use.
Last month, the newly formed bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus met with CEOs to discuss reducing greenhouse-gas emissions using “market-based approaches that are durable, equitable, and supportive of the American economy.”
So far the panel has eight members: Four Republicans, three Democrats and an independent, Sen. Angus King of Maine.
.@MidOhioEnergy in #OH5 understands advancements in technology will directly benefit the communities they serve.
Today, @HouseCommerce highlighted how successful energy & environment policy is best secured through realistic, innovative public policy⤵️ #InnovatEandC pic.twitter.com/J5OHigaCLw
— U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (@boblatta) December 9, 2019
“The United States has long been a leader in innovation,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, said in a written statement. “Addressing climate change is an opportunity to put our knowledge and can-do spirit to work to protect the environment for our benefit today and for future generations.”
Republicans point out that U.S. innovation has already reaped benefits. The nation leads the world in reducing carbon-dioxide emissions, which dropped by 12.4% from 2005-17, largely by replacing natural gas with coal in electricity generation, a change made possible by hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.
Read rest at Washington Times
This article (unintentionally?) backs AGW alarmism. Carbon dioxide sequestration? That’s a big loser. Battery storage as part of our energy grid? Ugh!
It could have been slanted, instead, toward championing innovation that increases efficient use of all the resources available to us. That’s what works.
Sonnyhill, you are so right. Carbon dioxide sequestration is very expensive. Southern Australia’s $50 million battery only had enough capacity to power their grid for a few minutes.
Innovate and use technology to adapt. The Conservative Party of Canada has this as its Climate Policy. The Liberals, NDP and Green Parties all favor various levels of punishment, restrictions, and regulation. All their ideas cause a financial burden and stress. Carbon taxes just give the Governments more money for their favorite programs, few which benefit many people.
The Republicans have been stupid enough to play the Democrat’s game. The GOP needs to play it is own game. Don’t worry about the name calling of climate denier. Be a climate realist and present the plentiful data showing that there is no basis for the climate change movement. Climate change is not a problem and doesn’t need to be solved.