I decided to take a look at all three candidates’ web pages to see how clearly they explain their views on energy and the environment. Obama, Clinton, and McCain all agree that global warming, in fact, does exist and that we need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Obama and Clinton’s web sites show detailed steps they plan to take if they are elected. Their sites also show dollar amounts they will spend and a time line they plan to follow. Also, the candidates plan to drive the economy and create ‘green-collar jobs’ by investing in renewable energy. Obama even goes as far as creating an energy-focused Green Jobs Corps to “connect disconnected and disadvantaged youth with job skills for a high-growth industry.” By giving the voter specific and clear-cut steps they vow to take, the candidate can be held accountable.
McCain’s website, however, does not give the reader a real plan of attack. He explains that the economic needs of the country depend on the sustainable use of natural resources, but does not tell us how to get there. He is very vague about what he plans to spend and how long it will take him to improve on our standards.
I have included a brief list of some of the candidates’ environmental and energy plans below.
Obama
-Reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050
-Invest in clean energy ($150 billion over 10 years) including plug-in hybrids, low-emission coal plants, new digital electricity grid
-Establish a 25 percent federal Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to require that 25 percent of electricity consumed in the U.S. is derived from clean, sustainable energy sources, like solar, wind and geothermal by 2025
-Support next generation biofuels
-Gain oil independence for America by increasing economy standards
-Improve energy efficiency by 50 percent by 2030
-Restore US Leadership on climate change
Clinton
-Create a comprehensive plan to address energy issues and create a green economy with 5 million new jobs
-Reduce America’s reliance of foreign oil and cut foreign oil imports by 2/3 from 2030 projected levels (more than 10 million barrels per day)
-Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050
-Spend $50 billion on a Strategic Energy Fund for research and development for clean energy
-Fund the retrofitting and modernization of 20 million low-income homes and reduce electricity consumption (strict appliance efficiency standards)
-Increase fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030
-Require that all publicly traded companies report financial risks due to climate change in annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
-Require that all federal buildings designed after January 20, 2009 will be zero emissions buildings
McCain
-Limit carbon emissions
-Reduce our dependence on foreign supplies of energy
-Make sure America leads in a way that ensures all nations do their rightful share
-Meet our obligation to be proper caretakers of creation
-Address the challenges of our time, rather than letting the situation escalate so that the next generation is faced with a much more severe problem
-Reduce greenhouse gases (global effort)
-Reduce dependence on foreign oil
Also, check out Mike’s blog: America’s First Green President
SOURCES: Obama , Clinton , McCain
-Brook
