The following are the major points from Barack Obama's platform. Full text is available here.

Crack Down on Excessive Energy Speculation

Fully Close the "Enron Loophole"
Ensure That U.S. Energy Futures Cannot be Traded on Unregulated Offshore Exchanges
Work with Other Countries to Coordinate Regulation of Oil Futures Markets
Call on the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice to Vigorously Investigate Market Manipulation in Oil Futures

Enact a Windfall Profits Tax on the Top Grossing Oil Companies and Ease the Burden on American Families
Require Oil Companies to Use Existing Drilling Leases
End Oil and Gas Industry Tax Breaks
Cooperate with Oil Importing Nations to Reduce Demand

Reduce Carbon Emissions 80 Percent by 2050

Cap and Trade
Confront Deforestation and Promote Carbon Sequestration

Invest in a Clean Energy Future

Invest $150 Billion over 10 Years in Clean Energy
Double Energy Research and Development Funding
Invest in a Skilled Clean Technologies Workforce
Convert our Manufacturing Centers into Clean Technology Leaders
Clean Technologies Deployment Venture Capital Fund
Require 25 Percent of Renewable Electricity by 2025
Develop and Deploy Clean Coal Technology

Support Next Generation Biofuels

Deploy Cellulosic Ethanol
Expand Locally-Owned Biofuel Refineries
Establish a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard
Increase Renewable Fuel Standard

Set America on Path to Oil Independence

Double fuel economy standards within 18 years

Improve Energy Efficiency 50 Percent by 2030

Set National Building Efficiency Goals
Establish a Grant Program for Early Adopters
Invest in a Digital Smart Grid

Restore U.S. Leadership on Climate Change

Create New Forum of Largest Greenhouse Gas Emitters
Re-Engage with the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change

Source: www.barackobama.com

Environment Issues

Submitted by: Unsigned
3 months ago

Rating: 1.0

\"Drill Baby, Drill\" may not be the overt messaging, but it\'s what they chanted at the RNC! If \"Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran\" was the attack on the Mideast, this is the attack on the environment.

More drilling is, I agree, a helpful bridge to the alternative future. But you don\'t have to be so *happy* about it. Sheesh.

Comments (0)

The following are the major points from John McCain's platform. Full text is available here.

John McCain's Cap and Trade Policy

John McCain Proposes A Cap-And-Trade System That Would Set Limits On Greenhouse Gas Emissions While Encouraging The Development Of Low-Cost Compliance Options

Greenhouse Gas Emission Targets And Timetables

2012: Return Emissions To 2005 Levels (18 Percent Above 1990 Levels)
2020: Return Emissions To 1990 Levels (15 Percent Below 2005 Levels)
2030: 22 Percent Below 1990 Levels (34 Percent Below 2005 Levels)
2050: 60 Percent Below 1990 Levels (66 Percent Below 2005 Levels)

Innovating, Developing and Deploying Technologies

Emissions Permits Will Eventually Be Auctioned To Support The Development Of Advanced Technologies
Streamline The Process For Deploying New Technologies And Requiring More Accountability From Government Programs To Meet Commercialization Goals And Deadlines
Ensure Rapid Technology Introduction, Quickly Shifting Research From The Laboratory To The Marketplace
Employ The Inherent Incentives Provided By A Cap-And-Trade System Along With Government-Led Competitions As Incentives For New Technology Deployment

Rapid and Clean Economic Growth

John McCain Believes An Effective And Sustainable Climate Policy Must Also Support Rapid Economic Growth. John McCain will use a portion of auction proceeds to reduce impacts on low-income American families
Trading Emission Permits To Find The Lowest-Cost Source Of Emission Reductions
Permitting "Banking" And "Borrowing" Of Permits So That Emission Reductions May Be Accelerated Or Deferred To More Economically Efficient Periods
Permitting Unlimited Initial Offsets From Both Domestic And International Sources
Effectively Integrating U.S. Trading With Other International Markets, Thereby Providing Access To Low-Cost Permit Sources
Establishing A Strategic Carbon Reserve As A National Source Of Permits During Periods Of Economic Duress
Early Allocation Of Some Emission Permits On Sound Principles
A commission will also be convened to provide recommendations on the percentage of allowances to be provided for free and the percentage of allowances to be auctioned, and develop a schedule for transition from allocated to maximum auctioned allowances. Cap-and-trade system will also work to maximize the amount of allowances that are auctioned off by 2050

Leadership for Effective International Efforts

Actively Engaging To Lead United Nations Negotiations
Permitting America To Lead In Innovation, Capture The Market On Low-Carbon Energy Production, And Export To Developing Countries
Provide Incentives For Rapid Participation By India And China, While Negotiating An Agreement With Each

Source: www.johnmccain.com