Explore Candidates and Issues
Bill Richardson on Environment and Energy
This candidate has withdrawn from the election
New Mexico has done more, faster, than any state ever, to address clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate change. We have done it in a supernova of clean energy and efficiency policy. The list includes: Overarching climate change action: I adopted strict targets to reduce greenhouse gas pollution.
Leading by Example, by Bill Richardson, p.105-107 Oct 26, 2007
How are we going to fight climate change? You know its going to take a gigantic effort. We got to make up for the time we lost cause we got out of the Kyoto Treaty the week after the president was in power, and this serious. This is man made, this is fossil fuels caused, and we got to do it. This is the planet saying to us, 'we need some relief.'
The Kyoto treaty has been sitting on your desk for six and a half years. You might as well sign it now because in a year and a half, if you haven't, I will.
Take Back America 2007 Conference Jun 19, 2007
New Mexico has done more, faster, than any state ever, to address clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate change. We have done it in a supernova of clean energy and efficiency policy. The list includes: Renewable energy: a requirement for utilities to use renewable power, now requiring 20% renewables by 2020.
Leading by Example, by Bill Richardson, p.105-107 Oct 26, 2007
We're New Mexico promoting renewable energy with tax credits for wind, solar and biofuels.
Take Back America 2007 Conference Jun 19, 2007
I am forming a Solar Power Task Force to identify a commercial-scale solar power project by the end of the year that would be under construction by 2006.
State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004
Tapped Strategic Oil Reserve to pierce bubble in oil prices
Between Worlds, by Bill Richardson, p.270-274 Nov 3, 2005
The point is: we don't need to drill the Arctic Refuge. We don't need to drill the continental shelf. We don't need to drill 97 percent of the public lands in the West, as the BLM has proposed. We don't need to drill in ecologically sensitive areas in the West—like New Mexico's Valle Vidal and Otero Mesa.
Development of pristine areas like ANWR or Otero Mesa in my home state, will yield relatively little oil - not nearly enough to alter the inevitable reality of higher prices due to increased demand and finite supply.
New Mexico has done more, faster, than any state ever, to address clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate change. We have done it in a supernova of clean energy and efficiency policy. The list includes: Incentives: more than matched the federal incentives for installing solar collectors & solar hot water heating.
Leading by Example, by Bill Richardson, p.105-107 Oct 26, 2007
Buying carbon offsets isn't enough. Just like paying somebody else to go to church doesn't make you religious. Paying somebody else to conserve doesn't make you a conservationist.
Take Back America 2007 Conference Jun 19, 2007
We have got to address global climate change by 2020, a reduction of 20% greenhouse gas emissions. I would launch a major diplomatic initiative to say to China and India and developing countries that America is going to be a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a cap and trade system that is mandatory. We have to do these things on a mandatory basis.
Meet the Press: Meet the Candidates 2008 series May 27, 2007
The next president must fight for that great the whole world has, global climate change. And we should do it with mandatory emissions caps and reductions.
Q: You say you want to be the energy president. You're in favor of nuclear power? RICHARDSON: I believe it should be part of the mix. I think the future for Americans' energy independence, and there I believe we need an Apollo program. And I believe I'm the greenest governor in this country. Q: What would you do with the nuclear waste? RICHARDSON: Technology is the answer. I would not put it in Yucca Mountain, because when I was secretary it was obvious that it had environmental problems. It had water problems, there were issues relating to transporting that waste to Nevada. I don't believe there's another solution that has been advanced, and that is to store some of the waste at existing sites or in regional sites. I believe the answer is technology.
Meet the Press: Meet the Candidates 2008 series May 27, 2007
I'm not a fan of nuclear power. Here's where I think the future is. I think the future is not in fossil fuels and coal and nuclear...You know on nuclear power on the good side, it doesn't emit greenhouse gas emissions. That's good, we need this kind of non pollutants. I think nuclear power should have an opportunity to be part of America's energy mix.
Following are the broad goals of my energy & climate policy, [which I call] "2020 Vision: An Energy Revolution in 5 Simple Steps:" Reduce oil dependence by as much as 50% 1. 2020 Vision (oil):Plug-in cars 2. Fuel-economy standard for conventional cars all the way to 50 mpg
Leading by Example, by Bill Richardson, p.213-230 Oct 26, 2007
I'm proud of making New Mexico the clean energy state...We've eliminated taxes on hybrid cars.
Take Back America 2007 Conference Jun 19, 2007
Q: You would have fuel standards for automobiles to 50 mpg in 2020. The automobile industry says that would increase the cost of a car or truck in this country by $6,000, and could bankrupt the American automobile industry. RICHARDSON: That's wrong. We must do it. Here in Washington, all you hear about is this is not possible, it won't pass the Congress. We must become energy independent because it affects our national security. We must have fuel standards, and I believe it's realistic with a 100 mpg flex-fuel vehicle.
Meet the Press: Meet the Candidates 2008 series May 27, 2007
As we expand our economy, we must always remember that the great natural beauty of New Mexico, the pristine gift of our land and sky is who we are-loving and protecting our land, air, and water pervades every aspect of what it means to be a New Mexican. We are expanding and creating new state parks, because there is no greater responsibility given to government than the preservation of our environment-our way of life.
State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004
Dedicated over $2 million to the expansion or creation of state parks, including funding for Mesilla Valley Bosque Park, Horse Springs Ranch, and Santa Fe Railyard Park and Plaza
Accurate scientific data must be used in assessing Endangered Species Act issues and ensure that corporations and other special interests adhere to the law when challenging ESA. We must find the right balance between preservation and growth, but to do so we must first have accurate data and compliance with the law.
"Like the vast majority of Americans, I support the Endangered Species Act and want it implemented sensibly to provide for habitat and species conservation before species become endangered," said New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. "God has blessed our nation with abundant wildlife species and varied natural habitats, but we must continue to manage them carefully and respectfully. America's natural heritage is special and it should be handed on to future generations in good condition."
"I am reaffirming my support for the effective recovery of Mexican wolves in the southwest, done in a responsible and sensitive way. Toward that end, I have directed the State Game Commission and the Department of Game and Fish to redouble their efforts to work with all interests to promote healthy wolf populations living in reasonable compatibility with our communities and land stewards in New Mexico. This will take understanding, creativity, tolerance, and mutual respect among all involved. We need your cooperation to find ways for indigenous wildlife species and our ranching communities to coexist. Please work together today to advance those principles and to consider productive next steps."
New Mexico has done more, faster, than any state ever, to address clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate change. We have done it in a supernova of clean energy and efficiency policy. The list includes: Transportation: a new commuter rail line that will soon connect Albuquerque and Santa Fe. We eliminated the sales tax on hybrid cars.
Leading by Example, by Bill Richardson, p.105-107 Oct 26, 2007
Following are the broad goals of my energy & climate policy, [which I call] "2020 Vision: An Energy Revolution in 5 Simple Steps:" Smart growth and transportation
Leading by Example, by Bill Richardson, p.213-230 Oct 26, 2007
Created Governor Richardson's Investment Partnership (GRIP), a $1.6 billion statewide transportation expansion and infrastructure improvement initiative that focuses on highway improvement projects, but includes the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, a commuter rail in the Albuquerque region