Comparing Energy Issues: Obama and McCain

[AlternativeEnergy.com]

AlternativeEnergy.com tries to stay out of political debate. However, we welcome comments from visitors. We are pleased that both candidates have expressed much greater dedication to alternative energy than another administration, which shall remain nameless.

Candidates (updated 8/24)	Barack Obama interview, fact sheet	John McCain interview, fact sheet
Cap-and-trade program for greenhouse-gas emissions	Supports a cap-and-trade system to cut U.S. emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Would auction off 100% of emission credits, making polluters pay for the right to emit greenhouse gases.	Supports a cap-and-trade system to cut U.S. emissions 60% below 1990 levels by 2050. Would give away many emission credits at the start of his plan, though down the line he would phase in auctions of such credits. Would allow domestic and international offsets as a form of compliance.
Offshore drilling	Generally opposes opening additional U.S. waters to offshore oil drilling, but says he would consider it as part of a comprehensive energy plan that includes incentives for renewable energy.	Calls for lifting the federal ban on offshore oil drilling in new areas. (Had opposed new offshore drilling until June 2008.)
Fuel-economy standards for automobiles	Supports raising fuel-economy standards 4% -- roughly one mile per gallon -- each year. Proposes spending $4 billion to help U.S. automakers upgrade their plants to produce more efficient cars and trucks.	Says he would more effectively enforce existing fuel-economy standards. Said in 2007 that standards need to be raised, but has not offered specific targets.
Renewable energy	Calls for getting 10% of U.S. electricity from renewables by 2012, and 25% by 2025. Proposes investing $150 billion over 10 years in renewables, advanced biofuels, efficiency, and other clean tech, and says this will help create 5 million green jobs.	Supports renewables, but has not offered specific targets.
Biofuels	Calls for 60 billion gallons of "advanced biofuels" [PDF] like cellulosic ethanol to be produced in the U.S. each year by 2030. Proposes federal tax incentives and other inducements to help develop the advanced biofuels.	Supports increased use of biofuels, but has not offered specific targets. Opposes subsidies for ethanol.
Coal	Supports "clean coal." Supports coal-to-liquid fuels if they emit 20% less carbon over their lifecycle than conventional fuels. Says he would use "whatever tools are necessary to stop new dirty coal plants from being built in America -- including a ban on new traditional coal facilities."	Supports "clean coal." Proposes spending $2 billion a year to help develop clean-coal technologies.
Nuclear energy	Has said we should explore nuclear power as part of the energy mix, but has also said nuclear is not a great option because of problems with safety and storage and because it usually requires big government subsidies.	Calls for 45 new nuclear power plants to be built in the U.S. by 2030, ultimately increasing to 100 new plants. Calls for government support for the nuclear industry.

 

 

 

 

 

[vinbeazel]

What about the other candidates? What about Ron Paul...or the Green Party? If the economy survives the collapse of global currencies, it will be a miracle. If the the people turn on the republicrats, there will be a new party or candidate emerge from the ashes of this republic; the question is no longer if it happens...only if it happens before the primaries or the elections. Just another perspective on planning for a future, post-war economy...

[Dr. Hiranya S. Roychowdhury]

This is the problem! This is a major problem for this nation. Even the so-called progressive minded people want to avoid facing the real political issues, and Dr. Paul, Ms McKinney and Mr Barr talk about real issues. This democracy is not going to be of any use if the republicratic system is not overturned soon.

[AlternaWatt]

I understand the frustration. I've gotten to the point where I don't trust any of them anymore. If I had my druthers, I'd like to see a Green Party/McKinney victory. But what frustrates me more is all the time wasted on non-issues by the republicrats. I believe we have urgent need for the transition to alternative energy sources not only due to climate change considerations, but also because I fully believe that in their lifetimes my children will see a time when life as we have always known it will change as crude oil production slides down the right side of Hubbert's Peak. But that's another subject for another time and place =).

[markbaland]

Why are only the two corporate party candidates listed? What about Ralph Nader and Ron Paul? And how can anybody be impressed with the TV ads touting 30 MPG or even 45 or 50? That's like bragging about the hammer and chisel as a writing instrument. There are companies who will modify a Prius to go over 100 miles a day without gas, and get more than 100 MPG on gas if you go further. There are cars allowed in other countries that run on air and water. There are global inventing contests where cars go hundreds of miles on a gallon of gas. The Republicans and Democrats are owned by corporations. They have no interest whatsoever in changing things. They do the bare minimum to try and give the appearance of concern and reform to the mostly ignorant masses. Vote Green!

[derickjeff]

You are true. many oil company are using the gasification process to convert coal to liquid. According to the recent survey the gasoline prices are going to get reduce to some extent.

A small image that explains coal to liquid gasification process