Global Warming and Energy
Mandatory Emission Caps [click here to read question five]
"I am a cosponsor of the Safe Climate Act, which does exactly that. However, I am concerned that recent research indicates that even an 80% reduction by 2050 is not fast enough and not enough reductions for us to stabilize the climate. Scientists now tell us that we must reduce green house gas emissions from the current levels of 380 parts per million to 350 ppm in order to avoid cataclysmic consequences of climate change, and we need to get as far as we can within this decade. I will direct the EPA and other relevant agencies to act in such a way as to transition completely away from fossil fuels and 100% to clean, renewable energy as rapidly as possible. GHGs are comprised not only of CO2, but also of methane, nitrous oxide from fertilizers, and other gases. We need to look at the major sources of all of these GHGs and enact legislation to minimize them immediately. The Federal government can move slowly; I would support those states that push for stronger regulations to minimize GHGs, and hope that Federal agencies can catch up. The Federal government should not stand in the way of states like California that want to impose even stricter standards. If the federal government is to stipulate a minimum amount of greenhouse gas pollution, it should ensure the states can take more aggressive action if they so choose. Federal regulations should be supporting these proactive states in providing umbrella regulations that allow for the strictest and greatest measures to achieve zero CO2 emissions as soon as possible."
International Action on Global Warming [click here to read question six]
"Without question. As stated in earlier answers, we need to re-establish the United States as a leader in halting the impacts of global warming, and we need to lead by example. Although we only account for 3% of the world’s population, we are responsible for 25% of the world’s green house gas emissions. At the same time, we cannot do this alone, which means we will have to work closely with other nations. There is some evidence that China already emits more greenhouse gas pollution than the US. Rather than take an obstructionist stance as the Bush Administration has done, I would do everything I could to bring the global community together to reduce GHG emissions worldwide and enjoin together in a vision for a future that is based on clean energy. The first step in repairing international relationships would be to withdraw from Iraq, where we are doing more harm than good. We will also need to reengage with them on other agreements since abandoned by the Bush Administration, like the Kyoto Protocol. In just the past year, we have learned that we have already caused irreversible global warming. The future of humanity depends on global cooperation. We are all in this together; we all share the same planet, the same water and air. This planet earth is the only home we have."
Fuel Efficiency Standards [click here to read question seven]
"YES! We should immediately close loopholes for SUVs, and increase CAFÉ standards for all vehicles. We should be aiming for transition as soon as possible from vehicles that use fossil fuels to next generation vehicles such as plug-in hybrids, electric only, or hydrogen fuel cell engines (although the ramifications of this new technology need to be assessed in life cycle analyses that also includes the production of these vehicles). In the meantime, the technology exists for us to reach at least 55 mpg by 2012, and we should enact CAFÉ standards to achieve this.
We should provide economic incentives to replace conventional vehicles with hybrids as we make the transition to vehicles that utilize clean energy. However, just increasing fuel efficiency is not enough because some studies have shown that people actually drive more in fuel-efficient cars, and in so doing actually increase CO2 emissions. We must go even farther, then, to reduce overall GHG emissions, and create incentives to use mass transit, walk and bicycle. It’s not just good for our environment, it’s better for our health! I will also work to increase efficiency for vehicles not covered by CAFÉ like trucks, construction equipment, locomotives, ships, and airplanes."
Renewable Energy Standards [click here to read question eight]
"Yes! As I stated in the answer to Question 1, we need to ramp up research and development for new clean energy technology using all the renewable sources that we have in the United States. I also would push to decentralize and regionalize our energy system, and utilize the best, most accessible and plentiful renewable sources appropriate for a particular region. For example, coastal areas would focus on current and wave technology, desert areas on solar, agricultural regions would focus on biomass. We need to transition to these systems immediately. The technology is there, but we need to provide the support and policies at the Federal level to drive this transition. Europe has already jumped far ahead of us on subsidizing research on renewable energy. If we fail to catch up now, we will lose an enormous economic opportunity to be the leader. We could find ourselves leasing our energy technology from Europe."
Efficiency Standards [click here to read question nine]
"As stated above, I would establish a create a National Energy Center to provide policy innovation to accelerate the transfer of clean energy to market, to be a source of independent advice to business, government, citizens and other stakeholders. This Center would also create a plan for every Federal agency to conduct an energy audit, establish new program to integrate objectives of energy efficiency, conservation and transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy technology and zero GHG emission goal.
I will also establish a Federal program to conduct life-cycle analysis for carbon impact coupled with independent “carbon impact” certification for all products made in the United States, and to encourage adherence to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification requirements for all buildings. Federal building codes need to be revised to reflect a new objective for carbon-neutrality.
One of the hallmarks of my Presidency will be the creation of a Works Green Administration (WGA) modeled after Franklin Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. The WGA will involve millions of Americans in new energy projects including retrofitting our homes with wind and solar micro-technologies, re-insulating millions of homes, and implementing new green technologies. In fact, I won an amendment to the Energy bill that passed the House of Representatives that would train a new legion of energy auditors."
Nuclear Energy[click here to read question ten]
"I would immediately remove the subsidies and shift them toward renewable energy. I would immediately begin phase-out of existing nuclear power plants, beginning with the plants that have the worst safety records and that generate the most amount of nuclear waste. I have successfully led efforts to greater scrutiny by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of the Davis Besse nuclear power plant that came within days of a radioactive breach. These kinds of situations exemplify the dangers inherent with nuclear power and cannot be tolerated because of the extreme and long-lasting hazards they impose on surrounding communities. We need to move toward sustainable, clean energy in our country and around the world ."
Liquid Coal[click here to read question eleven]
"NO. Coal to Liquids emit twice the greenhouse gas pollution of conventional gasoline, which is harmful enough to the climate in its own right. Investment in unconventional fossil fuels would be a step in the wrong direction and would be an investment in the technology of the past. Extraction of these liquid coal sources is expensive, inefficient and very damaging to the environment. Transportation of these fuels is potentially hazardous. We can reduce our dependence on foreign oil by investing in research and development of the clean, renewable energy technology of the future. Some of the technology already exists. We just need to lead the way to greater innovation with positive incentives and policies."
New Coal Plants[click here to read question twelve]
"Yes. I would place an immediate moratorium on new coal plants. Exceptions would be made for regions that cannot find alternate sources in the near future but those coal plants would be required to have proven CO2 capture and sequestration technologies in place. As mentioned, we would need absolute certainty that the sequestered CO2 would not leak out in the future, causing dramatic climate shifts in very short time frames. Workers displaced from the coal industry would get first preference for jobs under my Works Green Administration, where they would have the opportunity to work for a clean energy future."
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