FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ann Nichols
Phone: 517-367-7400
Email: info@alexanderforcongress.com
Website: alexanderforcongress.com

East Lansing, MI –Two new TV spots feature Mike Rogers extolling the virtues of “harnessing the wind,” as well as the sun and biomass to reduce dependence on foreign oil. In one ad, Rogers lists wind, solar energy, American oil, alternative fuel and energy-efficient cars as ways to create jobs and make America energy-independent. In another, he mentions nuclear power, wind, solar energy and biomass with no reference to domestic oil.

 

Rogers’ Democratic challenger Bob Alexander (in a view supported by Friday’s endorsement of Alexander by The Lansing State Journal) points out that Rogers has voted consistently and recently against tax incentives for alternative energy, and in support of the domestic oil industry:

 

*Voted NO on tax incentives for energy production and conservation. (May 2008)

*Voted NO on tax incentives for renewable energy. (Feb 2008)

*Voted NO on investing in homegrown biofuel. (Aug 2007)

*Voted NO on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jan 2007)

*Voted NO on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore. (Jun 2006)

*Voted YES on scheduling permitting for new oil refineries. (Jun 2006)

*Voted YES on authorizing construction of new oil refineries. (Oct 2005)

*Voted YES on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)

*Voted YES on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)

*Voted NO on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)

*Voted NO on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)

*Rated 17% by the CAF, indicating opposition to energy independence. (Dec 2006)

 

Alexander also states that Rogers’ much-touted “Energy Independence Act” (H.R. 6161) is inconsistent with his media ads, since it focuses almost entirely on domestic oil and nuclear energy and contains little attention to or funding for renewable energy sources.

 

Alexander has consistently spoken in favor of developing alternative and clean renewable energy sources to make the U.S. energy independent, to create jobs, and to protect the environment. According to Alexander, Republicans such as Rogers are now “jumping on the bandwagon” of supporting alternative energy sources because voters support the idea. Based on Rogers’ record of voting against renewable energy, against environmental issues, and in favor of the domestic oil industry, coupled with the contents of his own energy bill, it is difficult to believe that he has genuinely changed his positions or that he will aggressively pursue the development of renewables if he is re-elected.