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Barack Obama/Energy and Environment Policy

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Image:Wiki_the_vote_tall.gif This article is part of the Wiki-The-Vote project to detail the positions and records of Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama. This article covers Obama and Energy and Environment Policy. See the main page on Barack Obama for other positions and more info.
Summary

Energy issues

In 2006 Obama called for a deal with U.S. auto makers to pick up 10% of their $6.7 billion in retiree health costs in exchange for bringing more fuel-efficient vehicles to market. He also criticized the Bush administration for what he called a failure to back up with policies its call for "energy independence."

In 2007, activists protesting what they called Obama's lack of a clear position on nuclear waste disposal say they were forced to leave one of his presidential rallies.

In 2008 Obama promised that, if elected President, he would increase the exploitation of U.S. gas reserves, invest public funds in "clean coal" technology, solar, wind and biofuels, "find ways to safely harness nuclear power" and subsidise U.S. automakers production of fuel efficient cars.


Contents

Environmental issues

Resources

Energy issues

This article is part of the Center for Media & Democracy's focus on the fallout of nuclear "spin."

Starting in March of 2006 Sen. Obama began to enunciate his own view of U.S. energy policy. Obama started by offering the big three U.S. automakers a deal to get more fuel efficient vehicles to market. Obama's plan would call on the federal government to "pay 10 percent of the $6.7 billion in annual health costs for retirees that are weighing down General Motors, Ford and Chrysler if they'll commit to building more fuel-efficient cars." [1]

In April 2006 Obama made a speech calling for energy independence and criticizing the Bush administration for failing to back up it's rhetoric with action. Obama stated, "Saying that America is addicted to oil without following a real plan for energy independence is like admitting alcoholism and then skipping out on the 12-step program." Obama reiterated his proposed deal with the automakers, claiming that he is sure the technology exists to create a car that gets 500 miles per gallon. He also called for increasing fuel efficiency standards by 3 percent every year for the next 15 years; reducing oil imports by 7.5 million barrels a day by 2025; and encouraging the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel. [2]

In December 2007, three anti-nuclear activists - protesting with signs what they called Obama's lack of a clear position on nuclear waste disposal - said they were forced to leave an Obama presidential campaign rally in Columbia, South Carolina.[3]

Acceptance Speech

In his speech accepting the Democratic Party nomination as its candidate for the 2008 Presidential election, Obama stated that "As President, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power. I'll help our auto companies re-tool, so that the fuel-efficient cars of the future are built right here in America. I'll make it easier for the American people to afford these new cars. And I'll invest 150 billion dollars over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy - wind power and solar power and the next generation of biofuels; an investment that will lead to new industries and five million new jobs that pay well and can't ever be outsourced."[4]

Resources

Animal rights and wildlife issues

Resources


Articles and resources

See also

On Obama's Environmental Policies

On Obama's Other Policies

References

  1. ↑ Seth Borenstein, "Obama Suggests Money for Fuel Economy Deal for Automakers," Knight Ridder Newspapers, March 1, 2006.
  2. ↑ David Espo, "Obama Strikes Out at Bush's Energy Policy," Associated Press, April 3, 2006.
  3. ↑ Sammy Fretwell, "Anti-nuke activists told to leave Obama rally," The State (South Carolina), December 13, 2007.
  4. ↑ Barack Obama, "Remarks of Senator Barack Obama: The American Promise (Democratic Convention)", Obama/Biden website, August 28, 2008.

External resources

External articles

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