Sen. Fred Thompson

"The energy challenges our nation faces today are real and significant. Our dependence on foreign sources of oil threatens our national security and puts our economic prosperity at risk. America must rise to the challenge and take the steps necessary to become more energy independent before this becomes a crisis."

—Fred Thompson, campaign Web site

Fred Thompson has made "energy security" part of his campaign, and frames the issue of dependence on foreign oil in economic and national security terms.

He has not received notable endorsements from environmental organizations in the past.

Between 1997 and 2002, his scores on the LCV Scorecard was 12. The Scorecard rates politicians on a scale of 0 to 100 based on their votes on environmental issues on which LCV has taken a position. During each session he scored zero three times, and as high as 29.

The 2008 Thompson campaign has taken $75,350 from the oil and gas industry, ranking him fourth among eight Republicans and 7th overall among the 15 candidates, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Fred Thompson's Energy and Environmental Platform at a Glance

Fred Thompson lists "conserving our nation's resources," as the last of his nine defining principles, and "energy security" as the 10th of 11 campaign issues. He emphasizes "uncertainty" about how and why global warming is happening, and hasn't discussed specific strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He focuses on the economic and national security risks of relying on foreign oil. He has not published a detailed energy plan, but he does state several positions on his campaign Website, and he has discussed his thinking on energy policy during debates and campaign stops.

CLIMATE

• Supports the research and development of technologies that will "improve the environment, especially the reduction of CO₂ emissions."

• Supports increased fossil fuel exploration and extraction, including in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as part of a "balanced approach" that includes new sources of renewable and alternative energies as well.
• Invest in research and development of new technology, including technologies aimed at conservation and energy efficiency.
• Supports ethanol, biodiesel and other biofuels as part the energy mix, as well as liquid coal.
• Supports using coal and developing new sequestration technologies to capture carbon emissions.
• Supports new nuclear power.

Sources:

• League of Conservation Voters
• The Heat Is On, a partnership project of the LCV Education Fund
• Fred Thompson's Campaign Website
• Center for Responsive Politics

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