Obama and McCain – do they really want to do something about alternative energy or is it just green spin?
Obama and McCain both claim to support alternative energy and a national carbon cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions. However neither has confirmed if they would put forward a plan to the Congress if elected. I therefore question whether a new President would result in America joining other countries in the western world in trying to put environmental issues to the forefront.
Overall both Obama and McCain confidently support onshore oil and gas, new coal, carbon capture and storage, residential tax credits for domestic renewable energy and cap and trade system for carbon emissions.
Offshore oil and gas and nuclear is off or at least hiding well from the Obama agenda, whereas it is a core part of McCain’s less than green energy strategy.
Tax credits or incentives for renewable energy at a commercial scale, signing Kyoto or other international treaty committing to emission reduction are on Obama’s agenda whereas McCain is on record as calling for the construction of 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030 in addition to huge new investment in clean coal technology. Sarah Palin is a strong advocate of drilling for offshore oil within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.
McCain’s previous voting record also shows a reluctance to use tax credits to encourage greater use of renewable energy not believing in market intervention due to “unintended consequences as well as intended”, however his latest statements suggest extensions or “rationalisations” (whatever that means) of existing tax credits. Why encourage federal support for nuclear but not for renewable energy?
Obama openly supports clean coal , apparently sending out flyers across Kentucky stating that “Barack Obama believes in clean Kentucky coal”.
Clearly Obama is greener in terms of broad policy than the decidedly grey looking McCain energy world. Obama is however very much a light shade of green and there is much in the way of uncertainty, conflicting messages and withholding of policy stance due to controversy. A distinct lack of detail as to how they are each going to deliver renewable energy dilutes a potentially greener America. I guess politicians just don’t like difficult decisions – even the colour of their energy strategy.
Obama policy link
McCain policy link
