On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who is running for the Republican presidential nomination, turned his attention toward energy.
Scheduled to speak on energy in Oklahoma on Wednesday, Rubio offered a preview of his policies earlier in the day.
“When we’re trying to make sure the American economy can compete in the 21st century, there’s a crucial natural advantage we have over a lot of our competitors: our abundant energy resources,” Rubio insisted.
“There are three things we can do right now that will have immediate, positive impacts,” Rubio added.
The Florida Republican called for ending the ban on crude oil exports, opposing President Barack Obama’s energy tax and giving more control to the states when it comes to energy policy.
“With American oil production higher than it’s been in decades, ending this outdated ban will be a big boost to economic growth and job creation,” Rubio noted about ending the crude oil export ban.
Turning to Obama’s tax, Rubio jabbed former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the favorite for the Democratic nomination.
“President Obama’s new regulations from the EPA will inflate electricity costs for consumers while doing almost nothing to help the environment,” Rubio insisted. “Hillary Clinton has already said defending it is a ‘top priority;’ as president, I’d block it."
Rubio ripped Obama’s policies as “letting the federal government hamstring energy production with confusing mandates" and called for giving the states more power “because they know the situation best.”
“These and other policy changes can help us make the best use of our energy wealth right now and in the decades to come,” Rubio continued. “Energy has already played a role in keeping the American economy stronger than it would be otherwise. If we get this and other issues right, I have no doubt we can make the 21st century a New American Century.”
Rubio also penned a piece published at National Review on Tuesday night calling for more energy exploration and pointing toward Oklahoma as proof that states can manage energy policy better than the federal government.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) insisted Rubio’s plan would hurt the environment and showed that Rubio was in the pocket of the oil companies.
“An oil- and gas-focused energy plan that weakens environmental protections is not a modern plan —i t's a plan written and bankrolled by Big Oil for an outdated candidate like Marco Rubio,” said Christina Freundlich, a spokeswoman for the DNC. “Once again, Retro Rubio needs to wake up and accept the science of climate change -- he should embrace a clean energy economy that will promote renewables and cut carbon emissions. Instead, Rubio is just a puppet to Big Oil and any dirty ideas that will move our country into the past.”
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
