Political Quotes

“This amendment seeks to strike all of the funding for the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program. This program, under the Department of Energy, allows the government to invest millions of taxpayer dollars in high-risk research and development schemes for ``green energy'' projects to the tune, as we have heard already, of over $1.7 billion. The government should not be subsidizing the research and development initiatives of individual companies. Competition and innovation have been key aspects of private sector success from day one in the energy sector and other parts of our economy, and the government should not take the role of a private investor. For example, the EERE program facilitated a $2.5 million grant to Massachusetts-based TIAX LLC to work with Green Mountain Coffee to reduce the energy used in roasting coffee beans. The program has also allowed for millions of dollars to large chemical and auto companies, such as providing a subsidy to Ford Motor Company to develop a new sheet metal forming tool. I have nothing against those companies, but why should the government be picking and choosing winners and losers? Every business has a bottom line which, in and of itself, is a direct incentive for developing methods for becoming more energy efficient and innovative.…”