Energy Secretary Steven Chu at this evening’s event. (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Energy secretary praises Teague for leadership on climate change, attends campaign fundraiser for the congressman
Global warming necessitates the development of improved energy sources and technological leaps in energy efficiency, and New Mexico can play an important role in making that happen, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said this evening.
Speaking at a conference at New Mexico State University, Chu said it has become “overwhelmingly clear” in recent years that global warming is directly tied to the burning of fossil fuels by humans. That means carbon emissions must be regulated, he said.
Between that and the rising cost of oil, the United States must work toward energy efficiency and independence, he said.
“We need a new industrial revolution,” Chu said.
President Barack Obama’s energy secretary said the New Mexico Renewable Transmission Authority, university system and two national laboratories can be instrumental in moving the United States toward a new energy future. Tax credits and other incentives that exist in New Mexico also encourage the development of new technologies here, he said.
Chu was speaking to a couple hundred people at the Re-Energize Conference, sponsored by NMSU and chaired by U.S. Rep. Harry Teague, D-N.M. The congressman introduced Chu before the energy secretary spoke at NMSU’s Corbett Center, telling him to remember the importance of the oil and gas industry in New Mexico but also endorsing a shift toward other energy sources.
“We have to end our disastrous economic policy,” Teague said. “… I want my country to be strong and energy independent.”
Chu was visiting a congressional district that’s heavily dependent on the oil and gas industry. After voting for controversial cap-and-trade legislation that was approved earlier this year, Teague faced angry constituents at town-hall meetings, and some expressed beliefs that global warming isn’t real or at least isn’t caused by man.
Chu spent a great deal of time during his speech countering such beliefs by showing charts that indicated rising temperatures and the correlation to the burning of fossil fuels. Americans should embrace the reality that global warming is caused by humans, Chu said, and help push their nation toward energy independence and efficiency.
‘Doing the right thing’ and saving money
Chu said a “new industrial revolution” must involve several components, including learning to make the burning of coal less environmentally harmful, expanding use of natural gas and nuclear energy, improving battery technology and researching improvements in wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and other alternative technologies.
It also includes dramatically reducing energy usage. Chu said simple things like replacing refrigerators and using lighter-colored materials on roofs can help, and so can high-tech improvements like regulating energy use in buildings with computers.
Overall, Chu estimated that it’s possible to reduce energy use in commercial buildings by 80 percent, and said the money saved through energy efficiency more than makes up for the cost of developing and implementing the technology.
He cited California as evidence. Regulation there forced energy efficiency in the 1970s that led to increased utility rates but decreased energy usage so much that Californians pay significantly less for energy than other Americans.
“Doing the right thing will actually save you money,” he said.
The political battle
U.S. Rep. Harry Teague at the NMSU conference. (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Chu wasn’t only in Las Cruces to speak at the conference. After his speech, he was to attend a fundraiser for Teague, who is in a tough re-election battle against former U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M.
Teague was one of the critical votes in passing the cap-and-trade bill earlier this year. During Chu’s speech at NMSU, he thanked Teague “for his leadership” on the legislation.
Republicans were quick to hammer Teague. The state GOP put out a news release earlier today accusing him, in hosting the conference, of pandering to liberal voters in his district after alienating conservatives with his cap-and-trade vote.
“Teague’s actions continue to erode confidence that he is in Washington fighting on behalf of the concerns and values of his district,” state GOP chairman Harvey Yates Jr. said in the release. “While many congressmen are at home facing tough questions from their constituents on health care and out-of-control spending, Teague has selected to participate in events tailored to his most liberal supporters.”
In addition, the National Republican Congressional Committee is currently hammering Teague with radio ads running in his district.