Trump reiterates opposition to US carbon tax

OREANDA-NEWS. May 16, 2016. Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has restated his opposition to a carbon tax ahead of a speech scheduled later this month at an oil industry conference in North Dakota.

Trump today said in a comment posted on Twitter that he would "not support or endorse a carbon tax" in response to media reports that representative Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota) was advising him on energy policy. Cramer broke with most Republican members of Congress last year when he said he might support a carbon tax, if it replaced President Barack Obama's climate change regulations for power plants.

Even after nearly a year of campaigning, Trump remains a relative unknown when it comes to energy policy. Oil and gas groups hope the real estate tycoon will discuss his energy priorities on 26 May when he delivers the keynote address at an oil industry conference held in Bismarck, North Dakota.

What Trump has said on the subject suggests that he shares the view of other party members who argue environmental regulations have become excessive during the Obama administration. During a debate in March Trump promised to eliminate the "Department of Environment Protection," apparently referring to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as a way to cut government spending.

Trump earlier this year said he opposed a carbon tax in response to a questionnaire from the conservative group the American Energy Alliance. He also said he supported phasing out energy subsidies, eliminating regulations that impose "undue costs" on businesses, and blocking the EPA from counting the climate benefits of reducing greenhouse gases when it issues regulations.

Likely Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has campaigned on increasing support for renewable energy, restricting the use of hydraulic fracturing, and helping former coal workers find new jobs. Clinton has also said she would continue enforcing federal climate regulations established under the Obama administration.

Trump's campaign and Cramer did not respond for comment.