The Green Election Issues

The DNC is going on right now, with the Republicans to stay this coming week, so right now the entire nation is focused on Obama and McCain’s stances on various issues. The environment is a big-ticket item this year more than it has been in the past, and according to The Daily Green, there are seven main points of interest:

1. Global Warming
2. National Security
3. Nuclear Energy
4. Offshore Drilling
5. Ethanol
6. Energy Costs
7. Food and Product Safety

You can click on the links above to read more about what the candidates think about each issue, but here is a brief overview, as well as who I think is the “winner” for each (ie, who has the better policy):

Global Warming

Obama: Aim to cut emissions by 80% by 2050, regular cap-and-trade to include a pollution credit auction, pursue aggressive renewable energy goals, create millions of “green collar” jobs

McCain: Aim to cut emission by 60% by 2050, allot credits to polluters (no auction)

Global Warming Winning Policy? Although Obama’s plan is ambitious and may overpromise a bit, I agree that credit should be auctioned off, and I like his job creation goals. Round one, Obama.

National Security

Obama: Has a $150 Billion plan to lead the US away from foreign oil within 10 years, focusing on alternative energy

McCain: Also wants to get away from foreign oil, focusing on nuclear pow and offshore drilling for US oil production

National Security Winning Policy? Again, Obama’s plan may be ambitious, but looking toward a future of alternative energy is much better than investigating bigger and better oil and nuclear options. Round two, Obama.

Nuclear Energy

Obama: Doesn’t oppose nuclear power, but does focus his energy plan instead on renewable energies

McCain: Plans to construct 45 new plants by 2030, possibly increasing the cost of coal and funding government subsidies

Nuclear Energy Winning Policy? I don’t like McCain’s focus on nuclear energy, but at the same time, I don’t think it can be completely overlooked as Obama seems to be doing. Round three, draw.

Offshore Drilling

Obama: Offshore drilling is only a small piece to Obama’s energy plan, which instead focuses on alternative, renewable energy sources

McCain: Offshore drilling is McCain’s primary energy initiative, and he hopes it will help with the current economic slump

Offshore Drilling Winning Policy? Obama is clearly the winner here. Offshore drilling, although safer than it was in the past, still is dangerous for the environment, and experts agree that it probably won’t help lower prices. Most believe it would only help over the next 10 years, and then we’d be right back where we started. Round four, Obama.

Ethanol

Obama: Originally, Obama was all about corn-based ethanol, and many of his advisors had strong ties to those in the ethanol industry. As the truth about ethanol’s less-than-perfect characteristics have come to light, he’s been close-lipped about the subject, but earlier this year, he supported ethanol strongly.

McCain: McCain has opposed strong subsidies for corn-growers and in the past, he has supposed the use of ethanol, but only as a small piece of his energy plan.

Ethanol Winning Policy? It seems as though Obama got a bit caught up in corn-based ethanol like many Americans did. It is easy to hear “renewable energy” and think the product is great, but in actuality, McCain is in the right here to have a more “wait and see” policy, since ethanol creates almost as much pollution as oil and is a strain on the environment. Round five, McCain.

Energy Costs

Obama: Plans to pursue an $1000 energy rebate to families, invest in hybrid car technology, and require local utilities to use 35% renewable energy by 2025 – these plans would drive costs up in the short-term, but stabilize and lower prices in the long-term

McCain: Plans to offer a $5000 tax break for purchasers of zero-carbon vehicles and offer a $300 million prize to the manufacture who can first make electric cars feasible. Also plans to eliminate the current 54-cent/gallon tax on imported ethanol, improve energy efficiency of the federal government, and use SmartMeters in households to inspire less spending. These plans would drive down prices moderately.

Energy Costs Winning Policy? I actually like both of these plans, but I’m giving the edge to McCain here because of his government energy efficiency plan. The US government is the single largest consumer of energy, and by cutting consumption, he’ll reduce demand, which could lower prices (and it is better for the environment). Round six, McCain.

Food and Product Safety

Here’s where things get tricky…neither candidate has policies regarding the safety of food and products. Traditionally, Democrats have been more forward thinking about these issues, but neither side has spoken out about plans to remove toxins from our homes and require better labeling. So, this is a draw as well.

The Bottom Line?

I’m an Obama supporter, in part because I believe he has better policies about energy than McCain does. However, I think both parties can learn from one another. I hope that whoever enters the White House puts environmental issues at the forefront.