FACTBOX: Presidential candidates on energy issues

Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:25pm EDT
 
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(Reuters) - Energy and environment issues have gained prominence in the 2008 U.S. presidential contest as crude oil prices near a record $120 a barrel.

Here is what the candidates are saying about energy and the environment:

* CLIMATE CHANGE

New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, Democrat - Cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 through cap-and-trade system; require all publicly traded U.S. companies to file report on climate change risks with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, Democrat - Cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050; reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020; require fuel suppliers to cut carbon content by 10 percent by 2020.

Arizona Sen. John McCain, Republican - Favors cap-and-trade CO2 approach; sponsored legislation in 2007 to cut emissions by 30 percent by 2050.

* GASOLINE PRICES

Clinton - investigate oil companies and energy traders to see if market manipulation is occurring; take pressure off pump prices by releasing emergency crude oil stockpiles; suspend 18.4-cents-per-gallon federal tax on gasoline during the summer.

Obama - probe energy industry activities, stop filling emergency oil reserve.

McCain - suspend federal gasoline tax from May 22 to September 1, suspend filling oil reserve.

* OIL USE

Clinton - Cut foreign oil imports by two-thirds from 2030 projected levels, more than 10 million barrels per day.

Obama - Reduce overall oil consumption by at least 35 percent, or 10 million barrels per day, by 2030 to offset imports from OPEC nations.

McCain - No specified targets. Has said he will unveil "a national energy strategy that will amount to a declaration of independence from the fear bred by our reliance on oil sheiks."

* VEHICLE FUEL ECONOMY

Clinton - Boost corporate average fuel economy standards, or CAFE, to 55 miles per gallon by 2030, offer $20 billion in "green vehicle bonds" to help U.S. automakers meet standards, invest in plug-in hybrid technology.  Continued...

 

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