Katerina Swanson
There are two individuals with the name Cortez who have been associated with fossil fuels. One is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has been an outspoken critic of fossil fuels and has pushed for a Green New Deal to shift the US to 100% renewable energy by 2035. On the other hand, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has had a more complex relationship with the issue. While she has advocated for clean energy projects and sponsored bills to prohibit oil and gas leases on public lands, she has also flip-flopped on the issue of dirty energy and supported a gasoline tax holiday during her re-election campaign.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez |
| Political Party | Democrats |
| Policy Views | Against the use of fossil fuels |
| Policy Impact | Sponsored a bill to prohibit some oil and gas leases on public lands |
| Wanted the BLM to reconsider allowing oil and gas leases on 500,000 acres in Nevada | |
| Supported the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline | |
| Alternative Energy Views | Supports a "Green New Deal" to shift the US to 100% renewable energy consumption by 2035 |
| Supported the Fulcrum BioEnergy project, which converts household garbage into low-cost, net-zero carbon transportation fuel |
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What You'll Learn
Cortez Masto's opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline
In 2017, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto opposed former President Donald Trump's efforts to advance the Keystone XL pipeline, calling it a "dirty energy infrastructure project". She accused Trump of "blindly handcuffing our nation" to such projects in the name of defending Big Oil and their profits. She also claimed that the project would not create thousands of permanent jobs.
However, facing a tough re-election campaign in 2022, Cortez Masto has been accused of flip-flopping on her stance towards "dirty energy". She has called for a gasoline tax holiday and pushed to make this energy cheaper, despite her previous criticisms of fossil fuels and support for cutting off access to them.
The Keystone XL pipeline was a highly controversial project that was projected to carry oil nearly 1,200 miles (1,900 km) from Alberta, Canada, to Nebraska, where it would join an existing pipeline. Environmentalists and Native American groups fought the project for over a decade, and it was blocked by the Obama administration in 2015. However, Trump overturned that order and allowed the project to proceed. Ultimately, President Joe Biden cancelled the permits for the pipeline on his first day in office in 2021.
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Ocasio-Cortez's criticism of the American oil and gas industry
In 2018, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticised the American oil and gas industry, slamming fossil fuels and pushing for a Green New Deal. She stated that the US should cease the production of fossil fuels due to their negative impact on the environment, citing a scientific study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Ocasio-Cortez argued that the US could shift to 100% renewable energy consumption by 2035 and that "every single scientific consensus" supports this move.
Ocasio-Cortez's stance on fossil fuels has been a consistent theme in her political career. In 2020, she caused controversy with a tweet celebrating the collapse of oil prices and advocating for a transition to clean energy. This tweet was deemed insensitive to the millions of Americans working in the oil and gas industry facing financial hardships. Ocasio-Cortez later deleted the tweet and issued an apology, but it highlighted the divide between environmental justice campaigners and the oil and gas industry.
Ocasio-Cortez has also been critical of specific policies and bills that favour the fossil fuel industry. In 2023, she blasted the GOP Energy Bill as a "Fossil Fuel Industry Wishlist", arguing that the real problem is the oil and gas industry's pursuit of endless profits rather than a shortage of leases or land. She accused the industry of artificially keeping supply low to maintain high prices. Ocasio-Cortez's criticisms echoed those of progressive and environmental advocacy groups, who raised concerns about TAP American Energy and other deregulatory and Big Oil-friendly bills.
Additionally, Ocasio-Cortez has sought to amend legislation to block the US Army Corps of Engineers from issuing permits for oil and gas infrastructure, specifically targeting pipeline projects. While this proposed amendment is unlikely to pass, it underscores her commitment to reducing the country's reliance on fossil fuels and her willingness to challenge the powerful oil and gas industry.
Ocasio-Cortez's stance on fossil fuels and her advocacy for clean energy have made her a prominent figure in the environmental movement, but they have also drawn criticism and backlash from those who disagree with her policies and the timing of her messages.
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Ocasio-Cortez's push for a Green New Deal
Even before she was sworn in as a representative in Congress, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was making waves in Washington, D.C., with her push for a Green New Deal. Ocasio-Cortez joined a group of protesters from the climate justice group Sunrise Movement, advocating for a policy that could stave off climate change and transform the economy.
Ocasio-Cortez has turned the Green New Deal Committee creation into a referendum on the populist progressive agenda. She has quickly become a leading figure for populist Democrats who want a more radical approach to policy-making than the incrementalism typically seen in Congress. Fifteen House representatives have endorsed the creation of the Select Committee for a Green New Deal, boosting the proposal's legitimacy.
Ocasio-Cortez and her supporters believe that the United States should cease the production of fossil fuels due to their negative impact on the environment. She has criticised the American oil and gas industry, pushing for a shift to 100% renewable energy consumption by 2035.
In April 2021, Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey reintroduced their "Green New Deal" resolution, pressuring President Joe Biden to take sweeping action on climate change. Ocasio-Cortez stated that they aim to transition to a 100% carbon-free economy, with more unionization, justice, and dignity, guaranteeing more healthcare and housing.
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Cortez Masto's support for clean biofuel production
U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada has been a vocal supporter of clean energy initiatives and has advocated for the development and use of biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels. In 2023, she and Senator Jacky Rosen announced that they had secured a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to support Comstock Inc., a Nevada-based company that produces biofuel from wood byproducts. This project will help lower Nevada's carbon footprint and create new jobs.
Cortez Masto has also promoted the Fulcrum BioEnergy project in Storey County, Nevada. This project involves the construction of a facility that will convert household garbage into low-cost, low-carbon transportation fuel. The senator has worked to challenge EPA oppositions and "administrative holdups" from past administrations to bring this project to fruition. She believes that Nevada is leading the way in innovation and its positive impact on the environment, and that supporting companies like Fulcrum BioEnergy is crucial for the future.
In addition to her support for specific biofuel projects, Cortez Masto has also advocated for policy changes to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. In 2020, she sponsored a bill to prohibit some oil and gas leases on public lands and pushed for the Bureau of Land Management to reconsider allowing oil and gas leases on 500,000 acres in Nevada. She has criticized former President Trump for his support of the Keystone XL pipeline, referring to it as a "dirty energy" project.
Cortez Masto's efforts in the Senate to promote clean and renewable energy projects are aligned with her Innovation State Initiative. Through this initiative, she aims to cement Nevada's reputation as a national and global leader in clean energy. Her work has been recognized by companies such as Fulcrum BioEnergy, with CEO Eric Pryor applauding her determination and skill in moving forward rulemaking that supports the economy in Northern Nevada and the state's leadership in clean energy.
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Cortez Masto's efforts to promote renewable energy projects
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has been a vocal advocate for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and promoting renewable energy projects. In March 2019, she affirmed her commitment to this cause, stating that "Senate Democrats will continue to fight for common-sense policies that reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and combat climate change."
Cortez Masto has backed her words with actions. In 2020, she sponsored a bill to prohibit some oil and gas leases on public lands, specifically aiming to prevent the BLM from allowing oil and gas leases on 500,000 acres in her home state of Nevada. She has also introduced legislation to expand the solar manufacturing supply chain in the United States and played a crucial role in securing extensions for the Investment Tax Credit and the residential renewable energy tax credit for solar in the 2020 government funding bill.
One of Cortez Masto's notable contributions to renewable energy projects is her support for Fulcrum BioEnergy's Sierra BioFuels Plant. This plant is the world's first commercial-scale facility to convert household garbage into low-cost, net-zero carbon transportation fuel. Cortez Masto's advocacy with both the Trump and Biden administrations helped overcome bureaucratic obstacles and protect jobs associated with the plant. She acknowledged the importance of such businesses in fuelling Nevada's economy and pledged to continue cutting through red tape to support similar initiatives.
Despite her efforts to promote renewable energy, Cortez Masto has faced criticism for her stance on the Keystone XL pipeline. Initially, she opposed the project, referring to it as a "dirty energy" endeavour. However, facing a challenging re-election campaign, she shifted her position and co-sponsored a bill to suspend the federal gas tax, demonstrating the complexities of balancing political realities with environmental goals.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on which Cortez you're referring to. Cortez Resources, LLC is an oil and gas exploration and production company, so it does use fossil fuels. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has supported policies that reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but she has also advocated for suspending the federal gas tax. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has stated that the US should stop producing fossil fuels and has pushed for a "Green New Deal" to shift the country to 100% renewable energy by 2035.
Fossil fuels are fuels derived from the remains of dead plants and animals that were buried millions of years ago. They include coal, oil, and natural gas.
The use of fossil fuels has been linked to negative environmental impacts, contributing to global warming and climate change.
Alternatives to fossil fuels include renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and biofuels.
The "Green New Deal" is a proposed package of legislation aimed at addressing climate change and inequality by transitioning the US to renewable energy sources and creating new jobs in sustainable industries. It includes investments in renewable energy infrastructure, energy efficiency, and sustainable agriculture, among other things.
