Senator John McCain has outlined a basic strategy to address global warming and our energy challenges, which includes a mandatory cap-and-trade program to cut greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the use of clean, renewable energy sources and boosting nuclear power production.¹ In fact, among the Republicans running for president, Sen. McCain holds the distinction of being the only candidate to make global warming a part of his campaign agenda and to regularly address it on the campaign trail. Sen. McCain has been a leader in the U.S. Senate on climate issues for several years. In 2003, he introduced the first Senate bill attempting to curb global warming pollution with Senator Joe Lieberman, and reintroduced similar legislation in 2005 and 2007.² One of the areas in which Sen. McCain particularly separates himself from the field of Republican presidential hopefuls is in his recognition of the economic benefi ts of tackling climate change and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.³ In addition, he views climate change as a serious national security threat.⁴ Yet Sen. McCain’s climate bill would reduce carbon emissions only 65 percent by 2050,⁵ whereas science tell us we must meet or exceed 80 percent reductions by 2050 to avoid major environmental catastrophes. While Sen. McCain supports developing clean energy sources, including wind, solar and biofuels, he also is a fervent advocate of nuclear power,⁶ which is already heavily subsidized and continues to pose serious problems related to storage waste and security. On the campaign trail, he has expressed support for increasing fuel efficiency standards and energy efficiency, but on both counts has not offered specific targets.⁷ In 2002, he had planned to offer an amendment to the Senate energy bill that would have raised fuel efficiency standards to 36 mpg within 12 years, but the measure was prevented from coming up for a vote.⁸ In 2005, he voted against a Renewable Electricity Standard that would have required electric utilities to produce 10 percent of their electricity from clean, renewable sources by 2020.⁹ On other environmental issues, Sen. McCain says that he supports efforts to protect our natural heritage by protecting our national parks,¹⁰ but he has not consistently voted to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.¹¹

In his own words

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

“Among my priorities will be working with Congress, national, state, and local leaders, and the full range of stakeholders to promote U.S. energy security and implement a national market-based cap and trade system tailored to protect the nation’s economic, environmental, and national security. As part of this initiative, I will use the powers of the presidency to see that the international community, including China and India, fulfill its obligations to address climate change in a manner that will effectively protect the global environment and our economy. I will institute federal policies to help achieve an energy mix that is far more diverse, dependable, economical, clean, and sustainable. I would refer you and the LCV membership to the speech I delivered on energy security to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) this past April which outlines a number of these initiatives and priorities. Another of my top objectives will be to draw into my administration the most qualified individuals in our country to fill key cabinet and other positions in these vital policy areas.”¹²

On other key environmental issues, Sen. McCain:

Voted in 2004 to reinstate some $1.7 billion in revenues from the Superfund fees,¹³ but in 2003 he voted against restoring the “polluter pays” fees.¹⁴
Opposes drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge at this time.¹⁵
Voted in 2005 to end taxpayer subsidies for new commercial logging roads in the Tongass National Forest.¹⁶
Voted in 2005 for the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), which included weak and mostly unenforceable environmental provisions.¹⁷

*Sen. McCain did not provide explicit answers to portions of LCV’s Presidential Candidate Questionnaire. Some information based on past voting record.