Congressman Rehberg talks renewable energy, doesn’t walk the walk
Millionaire Congressman pays lip service to renewable energy, but where does he really stand?
Helena, MT – Congressman Dennis Rehberg will continue his tour of deception today at a renewable energy research facility in Havre, despite his consistent favoritism for big oil at the expense of clean energy investment.
“We’re glad to see Congressman Rehberg follow Jon Tester’s lead on renewable energy,” said Ted Dick, Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party. “It’s too bad he would rather help out his friends in big oil than develop a 21st century energy economy for Montana. Congressman Rehberg needs to stop trying to deceive Montanans into thinking he shares our priorities.”
Rehberg has shunned opportunities to invest in Montana’s renewable energy development over and over again, choosing instead to protect his campaign contributors in big oil. [HR 5351, House Roll Call Vote #84, 2/27/08] The Millionaire Congressman has also failed to offer clear support for robust Renewable Energy Standards, which have drawn sharp criticism from the climate change denial movement, who describe such standards as ‘junk science’.
In fact, funding for the research center at MSU-Northern--a stop on Rehberg's tour today--was secured in 2009 by Sen. Jon Tester. This is not the first time Rehberg has tried to take false credit for a Montana success story. Last September, Rehberg cut the ribbon on an Alzada road project he voted against.
More background on Rehberg’s failure to support renewable energy development:
Rehberg opposed billions in tax relief for renewable energy production, opposed closing tax loopholes for big oil companies. In 2008, Rehberg voted against passage of the bill that would extend and create several tax incentives for energy conservation and renewable-energy production, including a new tax credit for plug-in hybrid vehicles. It would extend expiring tax credits for wind and solar energy and authorize $5.6 billion in tax-credit bonds to finance renewable energy and energy conservation efforts. To offset the costs, the bill would eliminate or reduce the manufacturing tax deduction for oil and gas companies. It also would change the way oil and gas companies calculate foreign oil and gas income. [HR 5351, House Roll Call Vote #84, 2/27/08]
Rehberg votes against tax incentives for renewable energy production in 2008. In 2008, Rehberg voted against passage of the bill that would extend and create several tax incentives for energy conservation and renewable-energy production, including a new tax credit for plug-in hybrid vehicles. It would extend expiring tax credits for wind and solar energy and authorize $5.6 billion in tax-credit bonds to finance renewable energy and energy conservation efforts. To offset the costs, the bill would eliminate or reduce the manufacturing tax deduction for oil and gas companies. It also would change the way oil and gas companies calculate foreign oil and gas income. [HR 5351, House Roll Call Vote #84, 2/27/08]
Rehberg voted against tax incentives for renewable energy production AGAIN in 2008. In 2008, Rehberg voted against a bill that would extend expiring tax provisions through 2009. Specifically, the bill would provide tax incentives for carbon capture and sequestration demonstration projects, and investment in renewable energy. These tax incentives would be offset by prohibiting individuals from understating foreign oil and gas extraction income in the calculation of foreign tax credits, freezing the deduction amount for oil and gas companies and prohibiting individuals who work for certain offshore corporations to defer tax on compensations. [Congressional Quarterly] The bill passed 257-166. [HR 7060, Vote #649, 9/25/08]
Rehberg voted in February of this year to slash $889 million for renewable energy programs. As reported by ABC News, “But the Republican agenda, as evidenced by the budget resolution, sets a vastly different tone. It slashes nearly $889 million from energy efficiency and renewable energy programs and cuts billions from federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency. It bars the EPA from using Congressional funds to regulate emissions under the Clean Air Act or from denying or approving state implementation plans or permits, and takes away $3 billion from the agency's budget.” [ABC News, 2/18/11, [HR 1, House Roll Call Vote #147, 2/19/11]
Rehberg has received nearly $300,000 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Rehberg has received $291,151 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry over the course of his career. [Center for Responsive Politics, Accessed 3/20/11]
