Larry LaRocco on Energy & Oil

Democratic Senate Challenger; previously US Rep.

Fund R&D for alternative energy technology

I support tax incentives to encourage efficiency and the use of alternative energy. The government should help fund the research and development of alternative energy technology. Achieving energy independence will create thousands of new jobs while stabilizing our economy, reducing the threat of global warming and increasing our national security. A smart energy policy will bring substantial economic benefits. The research and implementation of alternative energy technologies will inject money and jobs into the economy. A sound plan must begin by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Good alternatives to oil include ethanol produced from animal waste, nuclear, wind, and geothermal. Some of these technologies are already economically feasible, while others still need to be developed. It is critical that the US continue to develop these technologies to make them economically viable. Idaho is in a great position to capitalize on research & production of energy from alternative sources. Source: Campaign website, www.laroccoforsenate.com, "Issues" May 14, 2008

Geothermal energy provides low-cost heat in buildings

Geothermal energy is a renewable resource in Idaho with great potential. Hot water found deep beneath the Earth's surface can be used to heat buildings or produce electricity. In fact, geothermal energy already provides low-cost heat in many public and private buildings in Idaho. It is estimated that geothermal energy could produce around 5 million megawatt hours per year in Idaho. Idaho Power recently named US Geothermal, an Idaho company, as the winner of their request for bids to provide geothermal energy from a plant near Raft River. The two companies currently are negotiating a 25-year power purchase agreement for more than 45 megawatts of power per year, enough to light more than 30,000 homes. The construction and maintenance of plants used to produce energy from these sources will inject money and jobs in Idaho's economy while decreasing our nation's dependence on oil. Source: Campaign website, www.laroccoforsenate.com, "Issues" May 14, 2008

Nuclear power plays a key role in energy independence

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an ideal candidate for investments in alternative energy. It is a research leader in basic nuclear and radiological science, fossil energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy. Nuclear power plays a key role in energy independence because it has an excellent operating record and generates electricity in a reliable, environmentally safe and affordable manner without emitting greenhouse gases. The INL is on the cutting edge of research to develop the next generation of nuclear power. The Generation IV Nuclear Reactor Project focuses on developing six different systems to produce nuclear energy, which will offer significant advances in sustainability, safety, reliability, economy, proliferation resistance, & physical protection. The INL supports Nuclear Power 2010, a joint government/industry cost-shared program to demonstrate new regulatory processes and provide designs that will lead to the construction of new nuclear power plants in the US by 2010. Source: Campaign website, www.laroccoforsenate.com, "Issues" May 14, 2008

Solar is an economical & green energy source

The green economy is developing with new markets, exciting jobs and clean technologies that are cost effective on large and small scale projects. Neighboring Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada has a large solar facility powering about 30% of Nellis's demand (power for more than 12, 000 military and civilians) and reducing annual energy costs to the Air Force base by an estimated $1M each year . Solar produced electricity is estimated in some cases to be as low as $.02/kWh --feasible given th Idaho state average of approximately $.05/kWh . Implementing solar technology will create new businesses and jobs for Idaho. Installation and maintenance jobs--nearly 50% of the total cost--cannot be shipped to China or India. Solar technology is unique in the potential to empower each individual to take action. Whether you're a home owner in Twin Falls or a small business owner in Pocatello, solar is an economical and green solution to meeting energy demand. Source: Campaign website, www.laroccoforsenate.com, "Issues" May 14, 2008

Diversifying our energy portfolio strengthens the economy

America relies heavily on foreign oil--currently more than 50% of US petroleum is imported. Because oil is imperative for transportation and manufacturing, the economy is extremely vulnerable to supply disruptions and price shocks. Under our current energy policy, tension with Iran can cause dramatic changes in oil prices that hinder our economic growth. Diversifying our energy portfolio would eliminate the systematic risk that arises from relying on the Middle East for oil. Source: Campaign website, www.laroccoforsenate.com, "Issues" May 14, 2008

Use manure and agricultural plant material to make ethanol

One technology currently on the cusp of becoming cost-effective is ethanol produced from low-cost biomass, or manure and agricultural plant material that would otherwise go to waste. The Energy Information Administration predicts that the ability to produce ethanol from low-cost biomass--as opposed to corn--will be the key to making ethanol competitive. The Department of Energy will invest up to $385 million in six bio-refinery projects. Source: Campaign website, www.laroccoforsenate.com, "Issues" May 14, 2008

Wind technology is close to being cost-effective

Idaho could produce approximately 49 million megawatt hours per year. This could account for more than one-third of Idaho's energy consumption. Like ethanol, wind technology is close to being cost-effective. According to the Renewable Northwest Project, the cost of producing wind energy in the Northwest is between 4 cents and 7 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). This is near the average market price of 3.31 cents/kWh to 5.67 cents/kWh paid by different types of users in Idaho in December 2006. Source: Campaign website, www.laroccoforsenate.com, "Issues" May 14, 2008

We owe it to our children to curb greenhouse gas emissions

America must change its energy habits. We owe it to our children & grandchildren to curb greenhouse gas emissions and decrease our dangerous dependence on foreign oil. Idaho is in a great position to capitalize on research and production of energy from alternative sources. A smart energy policy for the future will improve national security and bring substantial economic benefits now. The research and implementation of alternative energy technologies will inject money and jobs into the economy. Source: Campaign website, www.laroccoforsenate.com, "Issues" Mar 9, 2008

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*Other candidates on Energy & Oil:*		*Larry LaRocco on other issues:*
*ID Gubernatorial:* Butch Otter *ID Senatorial:* Larry Craig Michael Crapo *2008 Senate retirements:* Wayne Allard(R,CO) Larry Craig(R,ID) Pete Domenici(R,NM) Chuck Hagel(R,NE) Trent Lott(R,MS) Craig Thomas(R,WY) John Warner(R,VA) *2008 Presidential Contenders:* Chuck Baldwin(C) Rep.Bob Barr(L) Sen.Hillary Clinton(D) Sen.Mike Gravel(L) Alan Keyes(C) Sen.John McCain(R) Rep.Cynthia McKinney(G) Ralph Nader(I) Sen.Barack Obama(D) Rep.Ron Paul(R)	*2008 Senate Races:* AK:Stevens v.Begich v.Cuddy v.Sikma AL:Sessions v.Figures AR:Pryor v.Kennedy CO:Schaffer v.Udall DE:Biden v.O`Donnell GA:Chambliss v.Cardwell v.Jones v.Buckley IA:Harkin v.Reed ID:Risch v.LaRocco IL:Durbin v.Sauerberg v.Stafford KS:Roberts v.Jones v.Slattery KY:McConnell v.Lunsford LA:Landrieu v.Kennedy MA:Kerry v.O`Reilly v.Beatty ME:Collins v.Allen MI:Levin v.Hoogendyk MN:Coleman v.Franken v.Ventura v.Cavlan v.Pallmeyer MS4:Wicker v.Musgrove MS6:Cochran v.Fleming MT:Baucus v.Kelleher NC:Dole v.Hagan NE:Johanns v.Kleeb v.Raimondo v.Larrick NH:Sununu v.Shaheen NJ:Lautenberg v.Zimmer NM:Wilson v.Pearce v.Udall OR:Smith v.Merkley v.Brownlow OK:Inhofe v.Rice RI:Reed v.Young v.Tingley SC:Graham v.Cone v.Conley v.McBride SD:Johnson v.Dykstra TN:Alexander v.Eaton v.Padgett v.Tuke v.Lugo TX:Cornyn v.Noriega v.Jameson VA:Gilmore v.Warner v.Marshall WV:Rockefeller v.Wolfe WY4:Barrasso v.Carter v.Goodenough WY6:Enzi v.Rothfuss	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Jobs Principles Social Security Tax Reform Technology War/Peace Welfare Other Senators House of Representatives SenateMatch (matching quiz) Senate Votes (analysis) House Votes Bill Sponsorships Affiliations Policy Reports Group Ratings

Page last updated: Jul 08, 2008