Wisconsin-Report

Rep. Paul Ryan Voted For The Energy Tax Prevention Act Of 2011, Which Would Have Prohibited The EPA From
“Promulgating Any Regulation Concerning…The Emission Of A Greenhouse Gas To Address Climate Change.”
According to the Library of Congress, “Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 - Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from promulgating any regulation concerning, taking action
relating to, or taking into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas (GHG) to address climate change. Excludes GHGs
from the definition of ‘air pollutant’ for purposes of addressing climate change. […] YEAS 255 […] RYAN (WI)” [Library of
Congress, accessed 10/26/15, 10/26/15]
Ryan: “Bigger Government Has Not Resulted In Better Government, Especially In Regards To The Actions Of The
Environmental Protection Agency.” According to a web post by the office of Rep. Paul Ryan, “This budget recognizes the
importance of the federal government’s involvement in protecting our nation’s natural resources. However, as we have seen in
recent years, bigger government has not resulted in better government, especially in regards to the actions of the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).” [Office of Rep. Paul Ryan, accessed 10/26/15]
• Ryan: The GOP’s FY 2016 Budget Streamlined Or Repealed “Ineffective And Counter-Productive
Regulations Like Many Of Those Put In Place By The EPA.” According to a web post by the office of Rep.
Paul Ryan, “However, as we have seen in recent years, bigger government has not resulted in better government,
especially in regards to the actions of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For this reason, this budget
streamlines or repeals ineffective and counter-productive regulations like many of those put in place by the EPA.”
[Office of Rep. Paul Ryan, accessed 10/26/15]
Ryan: “I Am Deeply Concerned With” An EPA Regulatory Initiative To “Expand The Scope Of Federal Regulatory
Authority Under The Clean Water Act.” According to the office of Rep. Paul Ryan, “The EPA and Army Corps of
Engineers intend to implement a rule that would expand the scope of federal regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act
downstream navigable waters, including man-made conveyances such as ditches, pipes, and farmland ponds. This regulatory
proposal runs contrary to state water law, previous Supreme Court decisions, and existing compacts. While I believe the
federal government has a clear role to play in protecting the environment, I am deeply concerned with this regulatory initiative
coming from the EPA.” [Office of Rep. Paul Ryan, accessed 10/26/15]
Ryan And The Kochs Both Oppose Solar Energy Opportunities
The Koch Brothers Worked To Stifle Competition From Solar Energy Technologies To Protect Their Bottom Line
Debbie Dooley, Cofounder Of The Atlanta Tea Party: The Koch Brothers Have Tried “To Throw Back Solar On A
State-By-State Level…They Understand That Solar Is Taking Off, And They’re Trying To Stop Competition.”
According to Next City, “In Florida, meanwhile, a group called Conservatives for Energy Freedom is gathering signatures for
a ballot amendment that would allow residents to produce and sell solar energy directly to other consumers. Its founder,
Debbie Dooley, is also cofounder of the Atlanta Tea Party, and one of 22 people who helped jumpstart the movement
nationally in 2009. ‘I realized that I wanted to bring up a group that was strictly conservatives advocating for solar and other
forms of clean energy,’ she says of her decision to bring alternative energy and free market advocacy together under the
heading ‘Green Tea.’ Too many conservatives, she adds, ‘have been brainwashed into thinking that only tree huggers and
liberals care about the environment.’ Neither group has advocated heavily, so far, on the issue of state mandates — and they’re
not exactly a natural fit. On an ideological level, Dooley explains, she believes in removing all mandates. But in the technical
interest of allowing solar and wind to compete with coal and oil, she also reads between the lobbying lines. ‘You have to look
at it on a state-by-state basis,’ she says, in response to my question on what she thinks of RPS. ‘The Koch Brothers are trying
to throw back solar on a state-by-state level … They understand that solar is taking off, and they’re trying to stop
competition.’” [Next City, 1/14/15]
Charles Koch: “The Enormous Cost Of Wind And Solar Are Making People’s Lives Worse.” According to Charles
Koch in an interview for Forbes, “Q. Is current energy policy too focused on fighting carbon emissions? A. The present
policies of subsidizing and mandating inefficient alternatives is counterproductive. The enormous cost and unreliability of
wind and solar are making people’s lives worse. They’re increasing the cost of energy, they’re corrupting the business
community, increasing corporate welfare, and they’re counterproductive. On the other hand, if people believe this is a
problem, or could be a problem, then it’s worth investing a certain amount in, not by government mandating, but by letting
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