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Google's keyword search Hear the Candidate speak: Enter "energy." Select Obama or Biden.

On The Issues.org Choose "Issues" from the top tab.


John McCain on Energy

Statement of the Issue
McCain believes that oil profits should be reinvested in nuclear power. He feels we should develop alternative fuels and strengthen emission controls, but does not support the Kyoto Protocol. He has changed his position on ethanol, feeling it now “makes sense”.
Source: www.Issue2008.com

Analysis - causes, assumptions
McCain believes that U.S. security and prosperity depends on eliminating our dependence on foreign sources of energy and creating economic growth by diversifying America's energy portfolio of renewable energy sources.
Source: www.JohnMcCain.com

Evaluation - values, criteria
McCain believes in reducing America's dependence on foreign oil by upgrading the technologies used in the transportation sector, such as supporting hydrogen-powered vehicles and flex-fuel vehicles. He sees alcohol-based fuels as a way of creating greater consumer choice for fuel sources as well as a means of reducing consumption of oil.

He also believes in promoting exploration and production of natural gas from domestic sources, such as offshore drilling.

McCain values making the U.S. a leader in green technology production. He also advocates that oil price speculation is having a negative effect on American households and wants to examine the role that abuse of the energy markets impacts the price of gasoline at the pump.
Source: www.JohnMcCain.com


Proposals - preferred outcomes, solutions, values

John McCain will issue a Clean Car Challenge to the automakers of America, in the form of a single and substantial tax credit for the consumer based on the reduction of carbon emissions.

A $300 million prize should be awarded for the development of a battery package that has the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars.

John McCain will commit $2 billion annually to advancing clean coal technologies.

John McCain Will Put His Administration On Track To Construct 45 New Nuclear Power Plants By 2030 With The Ultimate Goal Of Eventually Constructing 100 New Plants.

John McCain Will Encourage The Market For Alternative, Low Carbon Fuels Such As Wind, Hydro And Solar Power.
Source: www.JohnMcCain.com


Voting record - Energy

• GovWatch: Yes, his cap-and-trade bill is mandatory. (Jun 2008)
• Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR. (Nov 2005)
• Voted NO on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005)
• Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)
• Voted NO on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill. (Mar 2003)
• Voted NO on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
• Voted NO on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
• Voted YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)
• Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
• Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)
• Voted NO on do not require ethanol in gasoline. (Aug 1994)
• Sponsored bill for greenhouse gas tradeable allowances. (Feb 2005)
• Rated 17% by the CAF, indicating opposition to energy independence. (Dec 2006)
• Gas tax holiday for the summer. (Apr 2008)
• Supports immediate reductions in greenhouse gases. (Sep 1998)

Source: www.ontheissues.org


Obama on Energy

Statement of the Issue
Obama supports raising CAFE standards as well as more investment in hybrids and greater ethanol production. He also advocates conservation and the development of alternative fuels, including further exploration of nuclear power. “We can save our economy, our environment, and stop funding both sides of the war on terror if we actually get serious about doing something about energy.”
Source: www.Issue2008.com

Analysis - causes, assumptions
Washington has failed to overcome oil dependence as a result of partisanship in the government, the influence of special interests, and short-term government policies in the interest of political gain.
Source: www.BarackObama.com

Evaluation - values, criteria
Obama believes that dependence on oil is one of the greatest challenges the U.S. has ever faced due to its threat to national security, the planet, and the economy.

He also believes that in the short-term, rising energy costs are a burden on American families. In the medium-to-long-terms he believes that the two greatest energy challenges are dependence on foreign oil and the threat of global climate change.
Source: www.BarackObama.com

Proposals - preferred outcomes, solutions, values

Help create five million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next ten years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future.

Within 10 years save more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined.

Put 1 million Plug‐In Hybrid cars – cars that can get up to 150 miles per gallon – on the road by 2015, cars that we will work to make sure are built here in America.

Ensure 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.
Source: www.BarackObama.com

Voting Record - Energy

• Passed tax credit for installing E85 ethanol at gas stations. (Feb 2008)
• Sponsored legislations that improve energy efficiency. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on making oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning. (May 2007)
• Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR. (Nov 2005)
• Voted YES on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005)
• Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)
• Sponsored bill for tax credit for providing 85% ethanol gas. (Apr 2005)
• Sponsored bill to notify public when nuclear releases occur. (Mar 2006)
• Sponsored bill raising CAFE by a 4% per year until 2018. (Jul 2006)
• Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence. (Dec 2006)
• Designate sensitive ANWR area as protected wilderness. (Nov 2007)
• Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025. (Jan 2007)
• Let states define stricter-than-federal emission standards. (Jan 2008)

Source: www.ontheissues.org