UPDATE: Hulshof’s energy plan focused on Missouri oil
Last week, U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof was put off by a question concerning his previous votes in support of subsidies for Big Oil. He later told reporters that those votes were important because they also had subsidies for conservation and those subsidies, were, in fact, higher than the subsidies for Big Oil.
I bring that up because today Hulshof unveiled his energy plan. It’s focus? Oil. Missouri oil, to be specific. (Begin humming Beverly Hillbillies tune here: Black Gold, Texas T, um, er, strike that Texas part).
Hulshof borrows from his primary opponent, the defeated and oh so quiet Sarah Steelman, who called for the state to entice oil companies to build an oil refinery in the state. He also calls for money for exploration research at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly the University of Missouri-Rolla), and state resources to be used to identify oil reserves and encourage entrepreneurs to come to the state to tap the oil.
There is no mention of ethanol, a key topic in the primary. (Hulshof and his opponent, Jay Nixon, agree on ethanol. They think it’s a good thing). There is no mention of wind, conservation, solar or other technologies.
Not saying that’s a good thing or a bad thing. But as an old editor of mine used to say: It is what it is.
Hulshof spokesman Scott Baker defines the plan as: Finding out exactly what we have; finding better ways to get it; refining what we have and; promoting it once we get it.”
Hulshof’s outline of his energy package is below:
The Missouri Energy Plan
Accurately document the extent of Missouri’s energy supply
According to the Department of Natural Resources no one knows the precise quantity of untapped oil and gas in Missouri. However, it has been estimated there could be anywhere from 1.4 to 1.9 billion barrels of heavy oil in western Missouri. At today’s prices, the total value of Missouri oil could reach nearly $220 billion.As governor, Kenny Hulshof will direct and provide funding for DNR to work with the federal government and energy investors to better determine the extent of Missouri’s energy wealth.
Fund Exploration Research
To help make Missouri oil more competitive, Kenny Hulshof will fund research at Missouri University of Science and Technology to discover cheaper, more reliable methods of extracting our enormous stores of energy wealth. Production will increase as exploration methods improve.
Construction of an oil refinery in Missouri
Missouri does not have a single oil refinery. As a result, energy investors often overlook Missouri because of the cost to transport raw materials to refineries. Kenny Hulshof will offer tax incentives to encourage the construction of a new oil refinery in Missouri.
Encourage Investment in Missouri Energy
Every year, the Department of Economic Development (DED) attracts hundreds of new businesses to Missouri. Kenny Hulshof will put the department to work encouraging entrepreneurs to invest in Missouri energy exploration. This plan will bring new entrepreneurs to the oil fields of western Missouri by appointing an energy liaison within the DED.
Paid for by Hulshof for Governor, Lanie Black, Treasurer
UPDATE: The Democratic Party’s Zac Wright responds to Hulshof’s energy plan:
“How can Missourians trust Congressman Hulshof to work with the oil industry here in Missouri when he already failed in Washington to make difference when he had the chance? When Missourians are paying record prices at the pump and oil companies are making the largest profits of any business in American history, Congressman Hulshof chose to subsidize those oil companies with our tax dollars. He voted for tax breaks for big oil rather than using that money to invest in alternative energy. He even voted against cracking down on gas price gougers.
“Congressman Hulshof’s words here in Missouri don’t match up with his actions in Washington. How can he be taken seriously on the issue?”
