Senator Barack Obama (D)

Global Warming and Energy

Mandatory Emission Caps [click here to read question five]

"I am dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by the amount scientists agree is necessary to stop and reverse the effects of global climate change. I believe that this is on the order of 80 percent by 2050, and I have cosponsored legislation introduced by Senators Bernard Sanders (I-VT) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) that would achieve this result."

International Action on Global Warming [click here to read question six]

"As the world’s largest emitter, most vibrant economy, and technological leader, the United States must assert leadership to fight global warming both at home and abroad. By adopting an aggressive cap on domestic emissions, the U.S. can begin to confront the problem while recapturing the moral authority to lead the world toward an effective and equitable solution. A successful approach to climate change requires that all major emitting nations actively participate in the solution. While the United States must lead, we must ensure that China, India, Brazil and all our major trading partners also move quickly to confront this shared global challenge."

Fuel Efficiency Standards [click here to read question seven]

"It is shameful that the fuel economy of passenger cars has not increased in over twenty years. While I believe that the Executive Branch has the authority right now to increase fuel economy standards for motor vehicles, I will work to ensure that authority is strengthened so that continual, forward progress is made in fuel economy for both cars and trucks. I will require that fuel economy standards are improved by four percent per year towards the goal of 40 miles per gallon within ten years and 60 miles per gallon within twenty years of implementation."

Renewable Energy Standards [click here to read question eight]

"I believe that a 20% federal RPS will add critical momentum to the renewable energy revolution. We have vast potential in this country to produce clean renewable energy and reduce our reliance on dwindling domestic natural gas reserves. The investment certainty provided by a significant RPS will encourage innovation, bring down the costs of renewable power, encourage necessary investment in new transmission, inspire new domestic industries, and strengthen rural economies. Passing a federal RPS is a priority for me in the upcoming Senate energy legislation."

Efficiency Standards [click here to read question nine]

"I worked with Senator Jim Jeffords (I-VT) to introduce the High-Performance Green Buildings Act, which would increase the energy efficiency of federal buildings and schools. I also support Congressional efforts to strengthen energy efficiency standards. As president, I will establish new green building standards for all federal facilities to redouble and improve upon such improvements to date. I will implement federal policies (i.e., improved federal cost sharing for grants, set-asides in formula funding) to encourage more cities and states to enact efficient buildings codes and standards."

Nuclear Energy [click here to read question ten]

"The federal government has a long history of providing federal assistance to a wide range of technologies that we believe are important to national goals. That support must be reviewed periodically to determine what we need to do better, or what we no longer need to do. I believe future federal support for any technology must be carefully measured in the context of two key goals of energy security and environmental stewardship. No technology offers a perfect answer, and no technology should be rejected outright. I do believe, however, that any additional federal support for one technology must be weighed carefully with the risks or benefits of federal support foregone for other technologies."

Liquid Coal [click here to read question eleven]

"A comprehensive energy policy means considering the best possible uses of all sources of energy – whether it’s petroleum, biomass, solar, wind, hydropower, nuclear, or coal. If we’re serious about freeing ourselves from our dependence on foreign oil, we can’t leave any energy source off the table."

"It is a paramount priority to pursue policies that expand the use of clean renewable sources of energy. Nevertheless, coal is our nation’s most abundant fossil fuel, and if used in an environmentally friendly manner, it can help reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil."

New Coal Plants [click here to read question twelve]

"I support cap and trade legislation to create the kind of carbon controlled economy where sequestration must be part of any design and construction of future coal fired power plants. I believe government functions best when it sets appropriate standards and allows the private sector to determine the most effective means of achieving these standards. Under the carbon cap legislation I favor, investment in traditional coal facilities would be ill-advised, and I would not grant any free emission permits to new coal facilitiesthat do not sequester their emissions. Moreover, I would provide significant incentives to accelerate the transition to sustainable coal technologies that capture and sequester their carbon emissions."