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By Ashley Killough, CNN

updated 11:32 PM EST, Fri November 14, 2014

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, says the rhetoric in the climate change debate can be exaggerated.

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(CNN) -- Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican who hails from Kentucky coal country, tried to find some "middle ground" with HBO host Bill Maher on climate change, saying Friday night that he supports deregulating alternative sources of energy.

"We need more energy, and maybe cleaner energy will supplant less clean energy over time--and it already is--but I don't think that shutting down dramatically one form of energy is a good idea for an economy," the first-term senator said on "Real Time."

Bill Maher: I had drinks with Rand Paul

While saying he's not against some regulations, such as on carbon emissions and clean water, Paul said he plans on introducing legislation "in the next month or so" that would cut regulation of alternative fuels.

"I'm for trying to get the government out of the way of converting your trucks from diesel to natural gas, or from gasoline to ethanol," he said. "And try to let the marketplace take care of this, because some of these fuels are actually cheaper, too, and if they're cheaper then people will go for a cheaper alternative that also is cleaner for the environment."

His comments come as Paul, who's planning a presidential run but says he hasn't made a final decision yet, has blasted President Obama and other Democrats for supporting policies that would negatively affect the coal industry in his home state.

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Rand Paul talks climate change

Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican. (Associated Press) ** FILE ** more >

Sen. Rand Paul plans to oppose a Senate bill to halt the NSAs phone-snooping program on the grounds that it doesnt go far enough.

Sen. Paul does not feel that the current NSA reforms go far enough, an aide said. There are significant problems with the bill, the most notable being an extension of the Patriot Act through December 2017.

The Kentucky Republican has been one of the most outspoken voices against the governments surveillance techniques, going as far as suing the president over them earlier this year in a case that was later put on hold.

Under the program revealed by former government contractor Edward Snowden, the government logged information about Americans phone calls and stored the data to track potential terrorist links. A revamped version of the bill would ban bulk collection of data and require the government to more selectively seek it.

The legislation from Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, Vermont Democrat, has a broad array of supporters, ranging from Sen. Richard J. Durbin, Illinois Democrat, to Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican and a possible rival for Mr. Paul in the 2016 GOP presidential contest. Both men are co-sponsors of the bill.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, took the first steps on Wednesday toward setting a final vote on the bill, which will have to pass the House or be reconciled with a House version before it gets sent to President Obamas desk.

CNN first reported on Mr. Pauls opposition to the bill on Friday.

The Obama administration has defended the program, saying it had approval of a special court and that it helps the country prevent terrorist attacks.

But Mr. Leahys legislation has attracted support from interest groups that range across the ideological spectrum, from the ACLU to the NRA. And Rep. James Sensenbrenner Jr., Wisconsin Republican and the author of the 2001 Patriot Act, has questioned the governments interpretation of a section of the law it has used to justify the program.

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Rand Paul to oppose NSA surveillance reform bill

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Many people close to him believe a presidential run is on its way.

By Mike Allen

11/14/14 9:54 AM EST

Over steak and ravioli at The Liaison hotel on Capitol Hill on Wednesday night, about 50 aides, advisers and supporters of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) got pumped up for a presidential campaign they now believe is a 95 percent certainty. The senator introduced his wife, Kelley, and were told a final check-in with his family is his last hoop before settling on a presidential campaign. Paul is still saying hell decide this spring, with April the target for a fly-around announcement in the early states.

Doug Stafford, RAND PAC executive director and architect of the national campaign, was emcee. Stafford sketched a mix of new ideas, blended with best practices from past successful campaigns. Planning is so far advanced that top aides are discussing a counterpart to George W. Bushs Mavericks/Pioneers/Rangers program for bundlers and fundraisers. Paul gave optimistic remarks that left little doubt about his intentions. Expect a spurt of hiring after the first of the year.

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(Also on POLITICO: Rand Paul opposes NSA reform bill)

The campaign-to-be combines family loyalists who served Rands father, former Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), plus new talent, including tech wizards and social-media Svengalis. Look for a Senate-reelection announcement by Paul as soon as next week, after he returns to Kentucky from the Hill. He has lined up endorsements from state Republican leaders, and now will circle back to them. The campaigns will run in tandem. If Paul wins the GOP nomination, he might drop the Senate race.

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Rand gathering leaves little doubt on '16

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is distancing himself from major intelligence reform legislation written by Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy and supported by potential Paul 2016 rival Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

Paul plans to oppose Leahys bill that would curb bulk data collection of phone records by the National Security Agency because he believes the legislation does not enact enough sweeping changes to the surveillance program, an aide said Friday.

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Sen. Paul does not feel that Sen. Leahys reforms go far enough. There are significant problems with the bill, the most notable being an extension of the Patriot Act through December 2017, the aide said.

Paul has made his opposition to government surveillance a hallmark of his travels as he campaigned for candidates this year. He even traveled to speak at the University of California at Berkeley this spring to rail against the assault on privacy that comes from the NSA programs.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) plans to bring the Leahy legislation to the floor as soon as next week. The bill has brought together liberals and conservatives like Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Cruz.

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Rand Paul opposes NSA reform bill

Sen Rand Paul Travels To Louisiana To Aid GOP Challenger In Runoff Election - America #39;s Newsroom
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By: NSTP - Wake The Hell Up America!

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Sen Rand Paul Travels To Louisiana To Aid GOP Challenger In Runoff Election - America's Newsroom - Video