Climate change policies compared for key US Presidential candidates

January 22, 2008

The Miami Herald published a comparison of the climate change policies of the key remaining US Presidential candidates.

Supporters of energy development funds include: Clinton, Obama, Edwards.

Emission caps: Clinton, Obama, Edwards, McCain, Huckabee.

Higher fuel efficiency standards: Clinton, Edwards, Obama, Huckabee.

Carbon auctions, or cap-and trade: Obama, Edwards, Huckabee.

Nuclear power: Giuliani.
Among Republicans, Mike Huckabee has pledged to make the United States energy-independent in just 10 years and backs the 36 billion gallon ethanol mandate. Mitt Romney supports the continuation of tax subsidies but not the mandate, while supporting increased development of infrastructure and cellulosic ethanol research. Rudy Giuliani said the United States should “get ahead” of Brazil on ethanol but otherwise has not issued major policy statements. Arizona Sen. John McCain doesn’t support biofuel mandates. McCain support repeal of the ethanol tariff and hybrid vehicle development.

On the Democratic side, Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, and Barack Obama of Illinois,voted for the Senate energy bill. Clinton also supports $2 billion in additional biofuel development, while Obama proposes a $150 billion fund to finance new plant construction, and would require all new cars to be flex-fuel. Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards would require oil companies to sell E85.

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Written by Jim Lane · Filed Under Policy