McCain vs. Obama: How Do The Candidates Stack Up On Energy?

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John McCain has promised to rid the nation of foreign oil, clean up the air, address climate change and ensure Americans have dependable energy sources. Barack Obama has done the same.

So how far apart are the two contenders when it comes to energy?

McCain’s Stand on Energy

Opposes renewable energy tax credits but voted for them in the $700 billion bailout bill
Supports drilling in Alaska’s national Petroleum Reserve but opposes drilling in Alaska’s national Wildlife Refuge
Against ethanol
Supports the development of clean coal technology
Supports cap and trade reductions in emissions

Obama’s Stand on Energy

Supports renewable energy tax credits
Supports drilling in Alaska’s national Petroleum Reserve but opposes drilling in Alaska’s national Wildlife Refuge
Supports tax credits for ethanol
Supports the development of clean coal technology
Supports cap and trade reductions in emissions

Obama and McCain agree on the goals of energy and climate policy. Both candidates acknowledge global warming is man-made and advocate a mandatory cap-and-trade policy in the United States for dealing with carbon emissions — something the Bush administration opposes. They’re also largely in agreement over reducing oil consumption and investing in new energy technologies.

I am not sure that I see much of a difference. Do you?

Comments

Richard Yeager-Stive says:

October 14, 2008 at 2:43 am

I heard on POTUS McCain is against public funding, but for the private sector finding alternative electric cars. Though, to McCain's credit he is willing to give a single cash reward for someone to make a better battery.

Obama is for public and private sectors funding electric cars. Obama has said in a speech, also on POTUS, he wants the entire US nation to support electric cars and research to build a better car (a "JFK race for the moon," if you will.)

Andrew says:

October 22, 2008 at 7:06 am

FYI — McCain was not against the renewable energy tax credits. He was only against the offset put in the legislation by Pelosi that would pay for extending these credits by increasing taxes on major oil and gas companies.

Like all Republicans in Congress, he supports our future green economy, but does not support increasing energy prices today to pay for tomorrow.