Democratic Party of Tennessee: Sen. Alexander blows with the political winds

FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF TENNESSEE

July 14, 2008

Senator Lamar Alexander today encouraged Tennesseans to "use less" energy, but he has time and again blocked initiatives aimed at weaning us off of foreign oil, said Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Gray Sasser.

"According to the non-partisan group website http://OpenSecrets.org, it looks like the oil companies are receiving a good return on their $364,675 investment in Sen. Alexander. The only leadership Sen. Alexander has exhibited in this current energy crisis is to provide political cover for the industries that have made record profits at the pumps," Sasser continued.

"For six years, Sen. Alexander has opposed wind energy and alternative energy methods knowing full well that such investments are the future of American innovation and energy research.

"At this point, Sen. Alexander is lacking on the supply-side of political backbone that Tennesseans are demanding at the pump. In this election season, Senator Alexander seems to be sailing into the wind on alternative energy," Sasser concluded.

Record oil profits precede 2008 oil price surge

"Exxon Mobil Profit Sets Record Again," The New York Times. 1 Feb. 2008. http://(http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/business/01cnd-exxon.html?em&ex=1202101200&en=575e77c5fd8688b0&ei=5087%0A) , "Chevron Posts Record $18.7 Billion Profit," San Francisco Chronicle. 2 Feb. 2008. http://(http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/02/BU6AUQMT9.DTL) , "Oil Giants BP, Shell Report Rising Profits," Associated Press. 29 Apr. http://2008.(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24366609/) , Senator Lamar Alexander's record on alternative energy in the 110th Congress

Senator Alexander votes against a motion to invoke cloture on H.R. 6 (Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007) prior to voting for it. Roll call nos. 425 and 430.

Alexander sponsors Senate Amendment 3553 to limit tax credits for small wind energy property expenditures in connection with farms and small rural businesses. The amendment is rejected 79-14-7. Roll call no. 421.

Alexander votes against the H.R. 6049 (Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008). Roll call no. 344.