Sunday, March 17, 2013

Sen. Landrieu Criticizes President’s Energy Plan; Proposes Ban On Horse Meat

Senator Mary Landrieu (D-New Orleans) was critical of President Obama’s new energy plan particularly the President’s call to set up a $2 Billion alternative energy research fund from offshore oil and gas royalty payments.

The fund would be used to develop electric cars, biofuels and natural gas, among other items.
Landrieu is seeking to speed up an increase to Louisiana’s offshore royalty payments which would grow to 37.5% in 2017. Landrieu would like to see that begin immediately.

“The President's idea is not a new one and does indeed have some merit," Landrieu said. "But dedicating offshore oil and gas revenues toward this purpose and not at the same time acknowledging the role that coastal states play in producing these revenues for the nation is a grave oversight."
"As interested as I am in research and development for alternative fuels, I will not be able to support such a proposal without first addressing the inequity that currently exists between interior and coastal states."

In a separate issue, in the wake of issues uncovered in Europe involving horse meat mixed together with beef, Senator Landrieu has proposed a bill to ban the slaughtering of horses for food.

The Obama Administration is close to approving a new horse slaughterhouse in New Mexico. The 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Act lifted the ban on horse slaughtering.

According to Senator Landrieu, 80% of Americans oppose slaughtering horses for food.