Red, Green, and Blue

In his much anticipated speech at the Democratic Convention in Denver, Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden has confirmed that, if elected, Barack Obama will give priority to bold policies on alternative energy.

In a clear reference to the Republican voting record on renewable energy tax credits, and McCain’s personal views on the issue, he said, “Even today, as oil companies post the biggest profits in history—a half trillion dollars in the last five years—he wants to give them another $4bn in tax breaks. But he voted time and again against incentives for renewable energy: solar, wind, bio-fuels. That’s not change; that’s more of the same.”

He was also unambiguous about what the core aims of any future Democrat energy policy would be, saying, “Barack Obama will transform our economy by making alternative energy a genuine national priority, creating 5m new jobs and finally freeing us from the grip of foreign oil. That’s the change we need.”

Such headline grabbing statements are sure to delight supporters of renewable energy. In the meantime, although it’s perhaps inevitable that big speeches like this will be short on detail, pragmatists in the environmental movement are likely to be more guarded in their response, at least until some more concrete policy proposals emerge.

Other Posts About Energy Policy:

• Obama Hood: Taxing Big Oil to Give Americans Another Stimulus Check
• “Gang of 16″ Calls for Drilling and Alternative Energy
  
• McCain Meets With Pickens, Says “Of Course” He Supports Renewable Energy Tax Credits
  
• Let’s Try This Again: Senate to Vote on Renewables
• Senate Blocks Renewable Energy Tax Credits Bill…Again - SF to go it Alone
• Senator Attacks Solar Energy Industry

Image Credit - Charlie Neibergall/AP

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