Midterm elections will be held in November, providing both a preview of the 2016 elections as well as an opportunity for control of the national agenda.
The 2014 midterm elections will be held in November, and all 435 voting seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, 36 out of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate, and 36 of 50 governorships will be contested. These elections will provide a preview of the 2016 elections, and will also help determine control of the national agenda. A number of Western states will play a major role in politics this year, and the key issues of conservation and energy production could heavily determine election results in those states.
According to the latest Western Governors Association Report, “…from conventional fuels to renewable energy, the West’s resources provide the majority of the United States’ energy supply. The West produces more than half of the total amount of coal produced in the U.S., it provides nearly 70 percent of the nation’s natural gas, and its petroleum production is more than 90 percent of state-level production. In addition, the High Plains and Rocky Mountains include the nation’s largest areas of high-value wind power resources, while California leads the nation in installed solar-generation capacity. Geothermal power is produced almost exclusively in the West. Of the ten states expected to see the fastest job growth in 2014, seven are in the West.
In trying to determine which key issues could sway voters this November, a poll conducted recently by the Colorado College State of the Rockies Project Conservation in the West “explored voter attitudes in six Western states.” A total of 2,400 registered voters in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Arizona were polled on issues such as land and water use, air quality, governance of conservation, oil and gas development, and public lands’ impact on the economy.
Results from the poll indicate that energy production and protecting public and private lands are the two key “vote motivating” issues and “that voters are far more likely to show support for candidates who seek to protect natural areas and public lands while proceeding with energy development.” Energy development, particularly hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), has come under intense review in parts of the West, especially Colorado.
Respondents in the poll also made it clear that they are more likely to vote for a candidate who would promote alternative or renewable energy. This view extended across party lines. However, when asked whether or not they would support reducing “red tape” associated with oil and gas development, there was a clear division along party lines. Republicans were found to be more likely (73%) to favor a reduction of red tape whereas Democrats were less likely (33%).
Although Westerners are diverse politically, which was reflected in many of their choices, one area they stand united on is their love for the land. “More than half say that environmentally sensitive places on public lands should be permanently protected when energy production is allowed.”
This sentiment was reflected by a majority of voters favoring Master Leasing Plans (MLPs) in regards to oil and gas drilling. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for balancing oil and gas drilling as well as the protection of millions of acres of public lands and the fish and wildlife on those lands throughout the West. In areas where there could be disputes “over the best use of the land,” the BLM is implementing a new tool called a Master Leasing Plan. Before any drilling could be considered, an MLP would need to be designed to delineate areas “appropriate for oil and gas drilling and also create protections where needed for wildlife, water, and historic sites.” Local businesses and governments, the public, and oil and gas companies would all be given opportunity to provide input on each MLP. A significant majority (62 to 67 percent) of all voters in all six states support MLPs, including Tea Party supporters.
The November midterm elections will be critical to the 2016 elections. In the West, the key issues appear to be energy development and production and environmental protection and conservation.
“Congressional candidates would be wise to consider their position on conservation and land-use issues carefully,” said Colorado College Economist and State of the Rockies Project Director Walter E. Hecox. “Westerners want their air, water, and land protected, and where a candidate stands on these issues could potentially sway votes.”
Link to Article on Network’s Website: http://www.gcnlive.com/CMS/index.php/component/k2/360-energy-production-and-conservation-s-effects-on-midterm-elections-in-the-west
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