Jon Tester, U.S. Senator

At the turn of the 20th Century, the mines of Butte brought from the earth the copper that electrified America, fueling Montana’s economy and putting Montana resources at the heart of a century of innovation and prosperity for our nation.

As we enter the 21st Century, America once again needs Montana to step up and set the direction for America’s energy future.

Today, the richness of our soil and the winds that blow across our plains, as well as human and natural resources God granted our state, hold the key to meeting America’s energy needs for today and generations to come.

Sadly, the only resource we lack is the leadership and will in Washington to empower Montanans to take the lead in America’s energy future. That is why Montanans are ready for real change.

A Real Plan For Energy Independence Through Renewable Energy. Jon Tester’s legislation in the Montana Senate put Montana on the path to ensuring that 15 percent of Montana’s energy will be produced from renewable sources. In the United States Senate, Jon will be a leader in creating a National Renewable Energy Standard that will make renewable energy an integral part of our country’s energy supply within 15 years. By taking concrete steps to diversify America’s energy supply, we will put America on the path to energy independence.

Real Incentives To Make Sure Montana’s Wind Energy Industry Thrives. In the Montana Senate, Jon Tester led efforts to encourage new wind energy projects by creating property tax incentives for wind energy. In the United States Senate, Jon will work for a 15 year extension of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind power set to expire in 2008 so that Montana’s wind energy industry has the stability they need to grow. This tax credit benefits energy producers by offering a per-megawatt tax credit on the sale of electricity generated from wind power. The tax credit lends a hand to a developing industry while encouraging renewable energy development and innovation.

Real Investment In Bio-Fuel Technology To Create Jobs In Montana And Lower Gas Prices. America must invest in Bio-fuel technology and production. Ethanol and bio-diesel are important tools we need to free our country from foreign sources of oil while providing new markets for Montana ag producers and creating new, good paying jobs for Montana and rural America. As a recent Great Falls Tribune editorial points out, alternative fuels receive a “pittance” of federal funding compared with oil and gas exploration. Jon Tester helped pass ethanol-blended fuel requirements and tax credits for bio-diesel in the Montana Senate. In the U.S. Senate he will work to put Montana-made bio-fuels in the nation’s gas pumps and reduce America’s addiction to oil.

A Real Commitment To Making America More Energy Efficient. In the Montana Senate, Jon Tester helped fund a program that promotes conservation, weatherization, and small-scale renewable energy projects to make Montana homes and businesses more efficient. In the U.S. Senate, Jon Tester will make sure American automobiles get better gas mileage, work to make hybrid vehicles more practical and affordable for Montana families, and extend tax credits to high efficiency conventional vehicles. Jon supports tax incentives to promote more efficient cars and trucks, reducing demand for oil and easing the gas crunch.

A Real Plan to Develop Montana’s Natural Resources Cleanly and Efficiently. Montana’s wealth of natural resources, including oil, coal and natural gas is helping meet America’s energy needs today and in the future. We must invest in the research and development necessary to develop these resources without damaging the clean air, pure water and open spaces all Montanans treasure. In the State Senate, Jon Tester helped shepherd through funding for a new Petroleum Engineering Building at Montana Tech to help Montana educate the highly skilled professionals we require to meet Montana and America’s future energy needs. In the United States Senate, Jon will support the R&D needed to make clean coal-to-diesel technology a reality. Jon believes that coal-to-diesel holds enormous potential to create good-paying jobs in Eastern Montana, lower gas prices for all Americans, and put our country on the road to genuine energy independence.

Click here to stand with Jon by signing his energy petition.

Posted on Monday, August 21st, 2006 at 10:00 pm.