Paul on the Issues

A look at Ron Paul’s environmental platform and record 6

Update: Ron Paul dropped out of the presidential race on June 12, 2008.

Ron Paul

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul doesn't spend much time talking about the environment; when he does address the issue, it's usually to say that our land, air, and water would be in better shape if the government butted out and let the free-market, private-property system run its course. Paul has represented Texas's 14th district in the U.S. House of Representatives for the past decade, and he represented the 22nd district for about seven years in the '70s and '80s. In 1988, he ran for president as the Libertarian Party candidate. Paul's lifetime voting score from the League of Conservation Voters is 29 percent.

Read an interview with Ron Paul by Grist and Outside.

Key Points

  • Does not consider climate change a major issue and is not convinced that it is largely caused by human activity.

  • Says he would end all subsidies and special benefits to energy companies.

  • Has voted in favor of offshore drilling and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

  • Has consistently opposed farm subsidies.

Video

Watch Ron Paul answer a question about climate change at the Iowa Straw Poll on Aug. 11, 2007:

Watch a YouTube interview with Ron Paul; he addresses a question about the environment at 1:44:

Quotable Quotes

  • "The freer the market is and the more respect you have for private property, the better the environment is protected."
    -- July 13, 2007, in a YouTube interview


  • "Fear is constantly generated by politicians to rally the support of the people. Environmentalists go back and forth, from warning about a coming ice age to arguing the grave dangers of global warming."
    -- June 29, 2006, in a speech before the U.S. House of Representatives.

Platform & Record In-Depth

  • Sponsor of the Affordable Gas Price Act, which would allow offshore drilling in U.S. waters, allow oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, exempt environmental impact statements conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act from judicial review, give more tax incentives for investing in oil refineries, and suspend the federal gasoline tax when retail gasoline prices hit $3 a gallon.

  • Cosponsor of legislation that would streamline the federal approval process for oil refinery construction or expansion.

  • Lead sponsor of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2007, which would exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act.

  • Cosponsor of legislation to make bicycle commuters eligible for the transportation fringe-benefit tax credit.

  • Cosponsor of legislation that would provide a tax deduction for the costs of using public transit.

  • Cosponsor of the Buildings for the 21st Century Act, which would increase the allowable tax deduction for energy-efficient commercial building costs and extend the deduction through 2013.

  • Cosponsor of numerous bills giving or extending tax credits to various forms of renewable energy (in the 110th Congress, HR 197, HR 550, HR 1772, and HR 3107).

  • Voted against the final version of the 2005 Energy Policy Act, a sweeping, oil-friendly energy bill opposed by enviros. The act passed and Bush signed it into law in August 2005.

  • In 2002, voted against storing nuclear waste at the Yucca Mountain repository now being built in southern Nevada.

  • In 2001, voted against raising fuel-economy standards for cars and light trucks to a combined average of 27.5 mpg for model years 2005 and 2006.

Still Haven't Gotten Enough?

What did we miss? Tell us below in comments. We'll update this page as the presidential campaign continues.


Todd Hymas Samkara contributed to this fact sheet.

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  1. Elwar Posted 2:28 pm
    16 Oct 2007

    Environmental detectivesThe death of an environmental industry in its infancy often goes un-noted. Environmental detectives were just starting to gain steam early on in the industrial revolution. These detectives would find the sources of pollution on other people's property and sue for compensation. These detectives made money from polluters answering only to those who were being affected by it.
    Then along comes the EPA and the government charges polluters "fines" for pollution in a broad brush stroke, killing the environmental detective industry.
    So basically, the government makes money from polluters under the guise of caring for the environment. Incentive is no longer to stop polluting for fear of losing money...incentive becomes investment into the right candidate in power that will go easy on them.
    And those affected by pollution no longer get compensation.
    This is akin to having an agency that fines people for killing people...you're limited to killing 5 people a year and if you go over that limit you have to pay a fine to the Person Protection Agency (PPA). Then serial murderers start voting for and lobbying candidates that will raise the kill limit and reduce the fines.
    --

    Also, the fact is also ignored that the federal government is the country's largest polluter. Of course, they are immune to the EPA.

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  2. Jive Dadson Posted 1:04 am
    17 Oct 2007

    The whole storyHere is a very good interview of Ron Paul concerning the environment.  And it's from Grist.
    http://www.grist.org/feature/2007/10/16/paul/

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  3. jwilliamp Posted 12:36 pm
    17 Oct 2007

    pointI think that the point Mr. Paul is trying to get across is that when the Government gets involved, regardless of their intentions, they most often fail.  They end up being pressured by interest groups because politicians are not experts and they must rely on others to tell them what is right; they listen to those with the deepest pockets...industry.  If we allow the market to capture the full and complete costs of damages both to person and property, it becomes too expensive for firms to pollute as usual and they will therefore find a way to curb emmissions as is demanded by the people.  Growth in government is not the answer b/c elected officials by their nature are not able to look at things long-term, beyond their immediate and most vocal constituents, or with in-depth knowledge that professionals are.

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  4. freedomhaslimits Posted 12:24 am
    19 Oct 2007

    Marriage/Family/Abortion/HomosexualityIn your overview of Ron Paul, I believe you did not mention several topics that are of great importance to many Americans. I have listed them in the subject line. With regard to abortion, Paul is "unshakably pro-life." With regard to marriage, the family and homosexuality, Paul is conservative, but not completely so. I would like to see him more conservative on those things, as I feel that so long as this country maintains strong morals and strong families, it can withstand anything, even a nuclear bomb being detonated in one of our cities, should the sleep-walking left allow it to come to that.

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  5. wiscidea Posted 5:07 am
    29 Dec 2007

    harming your neighborsThough I consider myself a bleeding heart liberal, I have to applaud Ron Paul for being the first Libertarian to bring up the following plank in the Libertarian Party platform...
    No one should be permitted to release harmful pollutants that travel beyond THEIR property. It is essentially trespassing and violation of one's neighbors property rights. Clean air and water entering "your" space, should leave free of harmful chemicals. Industry would be forced to internalize all costs.
    This is why Ron Paul believes, I think, strengthening personal property rights would protect the environment. It is a two-way street... protect industry's rights AND individual rights. This was brought up very briefly during an On Point interview of Ron Paul, but the host of the program failed to pursue this line of discussion. It is very disappointing that this plank of the Libertarian Part platform is not discussed more.
    The same strategy could be used for protecting endangered species, since harming animals that travel independent of human boundaries or destroying ecosystems that provide important "services" deprives your neighbor of the pleasure of enjoying a healthy environment.
    If Ron Paul truly wishes to apply the principle of not permitting activities the deprive your neighbors of their own right to clean air and water. AND if Ron Paul is truly committed to putting an end to military adventures, bringing all of our troops home, cutting military spending, and examining the ultimate causes of hostility in the world, I'm going to cast a vote for him in the primary and, perhaps, in the November election. I think the result would be a huge net gain for our nation, the environment, and the rest of the planet. A Democratic Congress should be able to prevent Ron Paul from inflicting any harm. Remember, legislation emerges from the House. Ron Paul would not be able to dismantle agencies like the EPA without Congressional support. Only the President can bring all of our troops home and dramatically cut military spending. Imagine the peace dividend available for building a sustainable green economy.

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  6. AahabAabye Posted 1:36 am
    05 Jan 2008

    The Constitution is GreenThe Greens and Constitutionalists should join the Libertarians, in extending an open invitation for Ron Paul to be their candidate for US President in the event that, heaven forbid, Ron Paul loses the Republican nomination. In the process, a new and powerful third triparty could be created. Enough of these watermelons (green on the outside, red on the inside) running the show. The Constitution is Green.

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Series Intro
Interviews and info on the presidential candidates' environmental positions 53
Grist interviews Vilsack; Vilsack quits presidential race 2
A look at Barack Obama's environmental platform and record 11
An interview with Barack Obama about his presidential platform on energy and the environment 28
A look at John Edwards' environmental platform and record 1
An interview with John Edwards about his presidential platform on energy and the environment 15
A look at Dennis Kucinich's environmental platform and record 6
An interview with Dennis Kucinich about his presidential platform on energy and the environment 34
A look at Chris Dodd's environmental platform and record 0
An interview with Chris Dodd about his presidential platform on energy and the environment 1
A look at Bill Richardson's environmental platform and record 1
An interview with Bill Richardson about his presidential platform on energy and the environment 7
A look at Mike Gravel's environmental platform and record 1
An interview with Mike Gravel about his presidential platform on energy and the environment 5
A look at Hillary Clinton's environmental platform and record 7
An interview with Hillary Clinton about her presidential platform on energy and the environment 32
A look at the environmental record of Joe Biden, Barack Obama's running mate 1
An interview with Joe Biden about energy and the environment 2
A look at John McCain's environmental platform and record 1
An interview with John McCain about his presidential platform on energy and the environment 9
An interview with Mike Huckabee about his presidential platform on energy and the environment 2
A look at Mike Huckabee's environmental platform and record 2
An interview with Sam Brownback about his presidential platform on energy and the environment 1
A look at Sam Brownback's environmental platform and record 0
An interview with Tom Tancredo about his presidential platform on energy and the environment 7
A look at Tom Tancredo's environmental platform and record 0
An interview with Ron Paul about his presidential platform on energy and the environment 55
A look at Ron Paul's environmental platform and record 6
A look at Rudy Giuliani's environmental platform and record 1
A look at Mitt Romney's environmental platform and record 4
A look at Duncan Hunter's environmental platform and record 0
A look at Fred Thompson's environmental platform and record 0
An interview with Ralph Nader about his presidential platform on energy and the environment 9
A look at Ralph Nader's environmental platform and record 3
Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney talks to Grist 19
An interview with Bob Barr about his presidential platform on energy and the environment 3
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