Mitt Romney's Energy Policy

Political Realities ^ | 10/25/12 | LD Jackson

[LD Jackson]

One of the most compelling issues for many of us is states' rights. Because we believe in the vision the Founding Fathers had for our country, we want to see a smaller and less intrusive federal government. As a result, the rights of the states would be at the forefront of most discussions. Much of what we see the federal government involved in is not in their constitutional purview. In other words, it's none of their business. It is part of the reason I supported Ron Paul in the Republican primary.

The federal government we have today is a far cry from what the founders of America envisioned. I would go so far as to say it is the opposite. The rights of states seem to take a back seat to whatever the federal government wants and decides to do. That includes energy policy and what should be done with lands that are classified as federal lands, even though they are within the borders of a particular state.

Mitt Romney has pushed a set of specific proposals on how to deal with our energy policy. Laid out in a 21-page report, part of the plan calls for returning control of these federal lands back to the states. To be right up front on this, I am in favor of almost anything that returns removes federal intervention in most areas and returns control of a particular issue back to the states. It is how our country was established and our straying from those principles is part of the reason why we are in such financial straits.

As it turns out, the plan Mitt Romney is proposing is not really his own, but one he has embraced wholeheartedly. It was conceived by a young woman on his staff, whom he calls his energy rock star. Rebecca Rosen is a native of Texas and she has worked and advocated for much of this plan for years. She is only 33, but she is no newcomer to energy policy.

(National Journal) Rosen, who held a relatively junior position in the office of Senate Energy and Natural Resources ranking member Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, for more than a year until she joined the Romney campaign in June, was the driver behind the most surprising—and controversial—part of Romney’s 21-page energy plan that would give states control over energy production on federal lands.

Hamm recalled a meeting in Washington that the Romney campaign organized in late April to get input from oil and natural gas experts on how North America could become energy independent by 2020—a foundation of Romney’s energy plan.

“Rebecca took over the discussion with complete understanding of how we can get there,” Hamm recalled. “Come to find out she has been advocating and writing bills in the Senate Energy Committee for some time advocating putting the states in charge of permitting and regulation for the industry and advancing other ideas essential to the goal of energy independence.”

Rosen’s proposal to give states more control of energy production resonated all the way to the top of the ticket.

“That was an approach that certainly had a lot of potential, and Governor Romney found it very appealing and thought it would be a very good element for his agenda,” said Oren Cass, domestic policy director for the campaign, in an interview.

The campaign declined to make Rosen available for an interview.

Before joining Murkowski’s staff, Rosen worked on oil and gas issues for about five years at PFC Energy, an energy analysis firm based in Washington, D.C., according to her LinkedIn profile. Rosen has worked almost exclusively in the private sector, including at Wachovia Securities and Darby Private Equity. She graduated from American University in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs with a focus on international economics. In a D.C. rarity, she has no graduate degree, according to her profile.

Yes, Rebecca Rosen is young, but that doesn't mean she has no experience in these issues. Mitt Romney has mentioned how many decisions should be left to the states, albeit not as strongly as someone like Ron Paul, and I applaud him for embracing this novel and unique approach to energy policy.

For far too long, our country has had the attitude that the federal government should control all aspects of our energy policy. We have a strategic oil reserve, which isn't necessarily a bad idea, but control over the entire issue seems to be centered in Washington. Can anyone truthfully say we are closer to energy independence than we were, say 40 years ago? Instead of the federal government trying to help energy production, the current incarnation of government is hampering it at every turn. Drilling and exploration permits are down during the Obama administration's first four years in office. Hopefully, that will change when we vote on November 6.

Not only do we need new leadership in Washington, someone who is willing to follow what the original vision was of our country, that leadership needs to have new people it listens to for advice. Instead of Obama listening to his green energy czars, perhaps we could have Romney listening to people like Rebecca Rosen. People who are willing to embrace the natural resources we have in this country, instead of vilifying them and trying to bankrupt the industries which surround them. In spite of what Barack Obama has told us, there is room for research and development of new sources of energy, without trying to tar and feather the companies who produce our oil and gas. Removing federal jurisdiction from these lands and giving the states a more proactive role in energy production would be a good start.

Just one more big difference between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama and one more reason to vote for Mitt Romney on November 6.

[Diogenesis]