Opinion > November 15, 2007

By Matthew Goetz | Old Gold & Black columnist

As the fall semester withers under the impending glare of finals, the 2008 presidential race is only beginning to heat up.

Over the next three weeks, I will present the candidates’ policy positions and stated opinions on three major issues of the upcoming election: climate change, the Iraq War and the economy.

The issue of environmental policy and combating climate change has become a focal point for the democratic primary. The candidates have all spoken out on the need to lower our carbon emissions and have proposed varying measures for achieving this goal. The Republican field has been far less forthcoming on the subject, with only John McCain voicing the need to confront this issue.

Democrats:

Joseph Biden – In an address to the Senate, Biden declared that “for too long we have abdicated the responsibility to reduce our own emissions, the largest single source of the problem we face today.” Biden is a co-sponsor of the Boxer-Sanders Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act that would reduce CO2 emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. He supports renewable energy, especially biodiesel and ethanol and has called for 20 percent of our energy use to come from renewable sources. Biden was a strong advocate in the Senate for U.S. participation in United Nations climate negotiations.

Hillary Clinton – Clinton recently released a comprehensive environmental policy, which focuses on increasing the use of renewable resources, improving efficiency and expanding research and development. Clinton is a co-sponsor of the Boxer-Sanders Act, which caps and reduces CO2 emissions. Her most ambitious proposals are setting vehicle fuel efficiency at 55 mpg by 2030 and establishing a National Energy Council to coordinate policies across the federal government. Clinton’s policy values energy independence, including the support of economically inefficient and environmentally harmful fuel sources such as ethanol and coal.

Chris Dodd – Climate change and environmental policies are a central issue of Dodd’s campaign, which has been carbon-neutral since the summer. Dodd is the only candidate to propose a carbon tax on corporate polluters, which would fund investment in renewable resources and efficiency. He has also called for all cars to have a minimum fuel efficiency of 50 mpg by 2017. Dodd opposes highly polluting coal-to-liquid technologies and has called for all new coal plants to implement carbon sequestering technology.

John Edwards – Edwards has consistently led the Democratic field in his proposals to combat climate change and pollution. Edwards was the first candidate to support the Boxer-Sanders Act, the first to release a comprehensive energy plan and the first to make his campaign carbon neutral. Edwards proposed a New Energy Economy Fund, which would invest in renewable energy and finance entrepreneurial ventures in clean technologies. Edwards does not support coal-to-liquid fuel or nuclear power and has called for a ban on any new coal plants that are not equipped with carbon-sequestering technology. Edwards has supported corn-based ethanol production but has clarified that this is only a temporary and partial remedy.

Mike Gravel – Although Gravel has not unveiled a detailed energy plan, he has made innovate proposals for combating climate change. His global policy goals include establishing an international carbon tax and using the revenues to immediately lower reliance on fossil fuels. Domestically, Gravel has proposed a moratorium on coal-based energy and a massive switch to hydrogen power. He also hopes to immediately increase fuel efficiency standards to 40 mpg and to eventually create a national network of Mag-lev trains.

Dennis Kucinich – Kucinich has been an environmental advocate throughout his congressional career. He is the only candidate to sufficiently address the global nature of climate change by proposing a “Global Green Deal” that will offer American-made clean energy resources to developing economies. He has proposed establishing a Works Green Administration to finance the millions of jobs that will be required to implement clean and efficient technologies in the United States. Kucinich has also called for the eventual termination of nuclear and coal power plants, stricter regulations on waste and a ban on mining or logging on public lands.

Barack Obama – Obama has been aggressive on combating climate change and energy dependence during his Senate career. He supports legislation mandating that the United States cut its CO2 emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 by auctioning off carbon permits and implementing a cap-and-trade system. Obama has also challenged Detroit automakers on the need to increase fuel efficiency. After being criticized by environmental groups for his support of corn ethanol and coal-to-liquid fuel technology, Obama qualified his support to only those technologies that produce 20 percent less CO2 than traditional petroleum.

Bill Richardson – He has extensive experience on energy issues, having formerly served as U.S. Secretary of Energy. His energy proposals aim for immediate impact, including a 20 percent reduction in CO2 emissions and a vehicle fuel efficiency of 50 mpg by 2020. Richardson has proposed a 50 percent cut in oil demand by 2030, with 30 percent of energy coming from renewable sources at that time. His plan included cutting CO2 emissions to 90 percent below 2006 levels by 2050.

Republicans:

Rudolph Giuliani – Although the former major has called climate change a problem, he opposes any mandatory government regulation. Giuliani is a major proponent of energy independence and has proposed major subsidies for nuclear power, coal-to-liquid fuel and ethanol production. Giuliani hopes to reduce U.S. oil dependence, even at the expense of environmental protection.

Mike Huckabee – Huckabee’s environmental policy is driven by his religious belief and the need for energy independence. He has stated that it is a moral duty to protect the earth and its resources. The former governor supports a mandatory cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gasses, as well as raising vehicle efficiency to 35 mpg by 2020. Huckabee pledged energy independence by expanding domestic oil production and nuclear power.

John McCain – McCain is the only Republican candidate to call climate change a major issue facing America. He has criticized Bush administration policies and supports a cap-and-trade system to reduce CO2 emissions. McCain is a strong supporter of nuclear power and has proposed extensive federal subsidies for nuclear technologies.

He also supports increasing coal production but wants to implement carbon sequestering technologies in power plants.

Ron Paul – Although Paul is a self-proclaimed environmentalist, he believes that regulation should not be the responsibility of the government. Instead, he believes that citizens should be able to sue polluters for damaging their health and property. Paul has not indicated that climate change is a problem facing our country.

Although he supports ending all subsidies to energy companies, he has voted to expand drilling in the United States, including off-shore and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Mitt Romney – Romney has made energy independence a major issue of his campaign.

He supports increasing domestic oil drilling, expanding coal gasification and liquid-to-coal production, expanding nuclear power and increasing the use of biofuels. Romney has stated that he would oppose any international treaty on climate change that did not include mandatory cuts for all nations.

Fred Thompson – Thompson’s platform emphasizes energy independence and includes environmental conservation as part of its program. Thompson has indicated the need to improve efficiency and lower CO2 emissions but has not revealed specific targets or programs for achieving the goal.

Matt Goetz is a senior political science major Mechanicsburg, Pa.