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VoteGopher | Compare McCain and Obama | Energy and Climate Change

Issue Homepage - Energy and Climate Change

PRESIDENT OBAMA: ACTIONS IN OFFICE

Named energy as one of three areas "critical to our economic future" for which he will propose large increased spending, and pledges to address energy this year
Proposed a budget that would allot billions toward renewables and energy efficiency in both research and implementation
The budget would also make coal and oil more expensive by increasing taxes on oil companies and creating a "cap and trade" system for carbon emissions
The budget would invest in clean coal research and biomass research, but says little about expanding nuclear energy
Signed economic stimulus package containing incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency

CANDIDATE OBAMA

ELECTION 2008

Proposed large subsidies for renewable energy research and tax credits for implementation
Supported doubling fuel economy standards within 18 years and several other energy efficiency measures
Proposed to use these investments to shift away from fossil fuels, and create a "cap and trade" system for carbon emissions
Supported continuing corn ethanol subsidies and continuing sugar ethanol import taxes
Said he would consider constructing more nuclear plants if safety and storage problems could be solved

REPUBLICANS

IN CONGRESS

Most strongly oppose a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions
Strongly support increased domestic oil drilling
Most support expanding the use of nuclear power
Most usually vote against tax breaks for renewable energy and tax increases on oil companies
Split on ethanol subsidies according to state interests
Most oppose raising fuel economy standards and energy efficiency standards on a national level

DEMOCRATS

IN CONGRESS

Most support a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions, though Democrats from coal states have been skeptical
Most support increasing research and development grants and tax credits for renewable energy
Split on fuel economy standards and national energy efficiency mandates
Most oppose expanding nuclear power and domestic oil drilling, though some do support these policies
Split on ethanol subsidies according to state interests
Democrats perceived as more friendly to environmental interests have recently taken over chairmanships of several key committees and subcommittees

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