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Newt Argues a Conservative Green Plan

He debates critics in TNR over how to spark fuel innovation

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 30, 2008 9:07 PM CST

(Newser) – Newt Gingrich has triggered a debate in the New Republic over how to inspire eco-friendly fuel innovation. He argues that tax breaks and a billion-dollar prize can spark green entrepreneurs to usurp the "oligarchies and dictatorships" that control US oil dependence. But a pair of eco-authors wants more, and argues that Washington must invest tax dollars into new technologies to reverse climate change.

Conservatives are “confusing their opposition to investments in social programs” with opposition to infrastructure, Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus write; energy policy can’t afford such “knee-jerk” rejection of public support. But Newt lumps carbon taxes with “more government regulations, more control by bureaucracies, and more litigation by trial lawyers”—arguing that a “market-oriented approach” is the only way to green.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich delivers a keynote speech at the Nevada Policy Research Institute's 16th anniversary dinner in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich delivers a keynote speech at the Nevada Policy Research Institute's 16th anniversary dinner in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)   (Associated Press)
Former US-Vice President, Nobel Peace laureate Al Gore, speaks during a  plenary session on the second day of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan 24, 2008. Top business leaders, heads of state from around the world as well as representatives of NGOs...
Former US-Vice President, Nobel Peace laureate Al Gore, speaks during a plenary session on the second day of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan...   (Associated Press)
Possible Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich delivers remarks to the National Rifle Association in Washington, Friday, Sept. 21, 2007. Gingrich will not run for president in 2008 after determining he could not legally explore a bid and remain as head of his tax-exempt political organization, a spokesman said Saturday, Sept....
Possible Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich delivers remarks to the National Rifle Association in Washington, Friday, Sept. 21, 2007. Gingrich will not run for president in 2008 after determining...   (Associated Press)
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