Representative Dennis Kucinich is a cosponsor of the Safe Climate Act, the strongest global warming legislation introduced in the House,¹ but he has not released a comprehensive plan to address global warming and our energy challenges. On the campaign trail, Rep. Kucinich has emphasized that he would rejoin world climate negotiations and strengthen America’s environmental laws. Additionally, he often argues that the connection between “global warring” and “global warming” is our dependence on oil.² Rep. Kucinich opposes nuclear energy³ and liquid coal.⁴ In the House, he has been a consistent vote for pro-environment policies.

In his own words

Kucinich’s first 100 days priorities on energy and global warming:

“Energy independence and global warming are top priorities that I continually discuss on the campaign trail, and I will focus on them in my first months in office. I will use executive orders to restore federal leadership in energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy. I will realign budget priorities to bolster research and development programs that can help to reduce oil dependence and greenhouse gas emissions. I will nominate committed, highly qualified people to run the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, and other related Departments. I will promote legislation to promote alternative energy, and I will personally act to restore American leadership in international discussions about global warming.”⁸

On other key environmental issues, Rep. Kucinich:

Voted in 2000 against a bill that would have weakened Superfund.⁵
Voted in 2006 for an amendment to reaffi rm broad application of Clean Water Act protections⁶
Has consistently voted against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge>⁷
Voted in 2003 for an amendment to prohibit the Bush administration from expending any federal funds to make changes to the roadless rule⁸
Voted in 2005 against the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), which included weak and mostly unenforceable environmental provisions⁹