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Red and Green
McCain is not anti-environmental he has many green policies and ideas
“The United States will lead, and lead with a different approach—an approach that speaks to the interests and obligations of every nation.” – John McCain Portland, Oregon. In light of the historical election that is coming up in the U.S, many people are beginning to seek out the information that sets McCain apart from Obama, or vice-versa. Surprisingly, while researching this topic of McCain’s Environmental policy, I discovered that “…environmental ranks near the bottom of voters’ list of concerns generally.” If environmental concern ranks closer to the top of your list of voter concerns, here is an overview of what Mr. John McCain has planned for the next four years.
McCain’s plan of action calls for a carbon cap-trade system to be initiated into the American economy. With this carbon cap-trade system, McCain hopes to limit harmful greenhouse gas emissions by letting companies with low emissions sell their carbon credits to companies who don’t meet requirements. McCain supported the Environmental Protection Bill which included whale protection, awarding tax credits to companies with low carbon emissions, and supporting auto-makers who seek to boost fuel efficiency. With a past in supporting some environmental policies we can only hope that he continues to support fundamental changes in green building, carbon emissions, deforestation, and environmental protection, if he is elected to office.
Source: Grist and Wired Blog Network
- Katie Ehardt
The Obama Biden Environmental Plan
Fix the planet today and benefit tomorrow
Barrack Obama has an extensive plan that will provide America with healthier lifestyles, stop global warming, and reduce the amount of hardship on the Environment. Obama and Biden have a plan to battle global warming by: reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, investing $150 billion into advancing energy technologies and creating a Green Jobs Corp. Obama plans include; fighting for clean air, reducing the risk of mercury poisoning, and cleaning up our water systems. Obama’s full plan helps the environment in various ways. Obama’s plan is to try and fix the planet now so that future generations can enjoy a better, greener, world later.
Source: Barrack Obama's Website
-Devon Dey
Barrack’s Oil Plan
Strategic Petroleum Reserve,
A better way to maximize our energy resources is a key issue in this year’s election. Senator Barrack Obama is proposing a plan called a swap that will take some financial burden off consumers, boost the amount of oil in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and save tax payers billions of dollars. The SPR was created in 1975 to conserve the oil distribution; the reserve now has 706 million barrels of oil. There have only been two sales from the SPR in the past that was in 1991 after Operation Desert Storm, and in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. The exchanges made during the Clinton administration, added oil to SPR at no cost to taxpayers and decreased the prices of oil. Today it is debatable whether we should use what’s in the SPR to help consumers with the high gas prices or if we should leave it and use it only in the state of emergency. Within the last 3 years the United States has advanced its way of refining oil it is now easier and more energy efficient to convert heavy crude oil to light crude oil. Light crude oil is more valuable because it is 6 dollars cheaper a barrel, compared to heavy crude oil. Swapping heavy crude oil to light crude oil will put more barrels in the reserve, will lessen the high prices for consumers, and is adopted into Barrack Obamas Energy plan.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
-Devon Dey
Colorado, Energy, and the Senate Race
Bob Schaffer’s (Republican Senate Nominee for Colorado) stance on energy independence
“Achieving energy independence” is one of the key issues in Bob Schaffer’s senate campaign. He recognizes Colorado’s ability to be a leader in reaching energy independence. Schaffer supports ending America’s dependence on foreign oil. He proposes developing more from America’s domestic supplies. Schaffer wants to develop Colorado’s oil shale, and he backs “environmentally responsible development of Alaska’s [oil deposits].” He opposes raising the federal tax on gas. Schaffer identifies the military’s need to “employ energy-saving methods,” and believes “congress should allow the military to have long-term contracts with alternative [fuel and technology providers].” Schaffer acknowledges he and Governor Ritter (Dem.) both agree on clean-coal technologies. Follow this link to further understand Bob Schaffer’s stance on attaining energy independence.
Source: Bob Schaffer's website
-Cordia Perez
Obama’s Financial Plans
The End of the Enron Loophole
Senator Barrack Obama feels for the American people that are paying the price at the gas pumps, so to reduce the financial weight on consumers he plans to close the “Enron Loophole”. The Enron Loophole benefits the Big Oil companies, but burdens the consumers paying the skyrocketing gas prices. Obama's best interest is in the American people, so to reduce the cost of living he plans to create alternate fuels, lessen the amount of oil from overseas, and conserve energy. Obama thinks we should use organizations, like NATO to insure energy safety. Obama has a plan to make America an energy leader. His plan includes minimizing our need for foreign oil by 35 percent, by 2030. This plan includes; amplified fuel economy, more energy efficient vehicles, and building more energy saving communities.
Source: Barrack Obama's website
-Devon Dey
A New Energy Economy
Mark Udall’s (Democratic, Senate nominee for Colorado) stance on energy
Mark Udall recognizes an urgent need to achieve energy independence. The United States is highly dependent on oil. Our dependency on oil puts us in a vulnerable position. Udall acknowledges the importance of diversifying “our portfolio of renewable resources.”
He emphasizes our inability to “drill for security.” Udall advocates conserving the Roan Plateau for future generations. He opposes opening the un-drilled area of the Roan for development. Udall is “co-chair of the Renewable Energy and Efficiency Caucus in the House.” He asserts his “personal passion” towards energy development. Udall states, “I believe energy is an over-arching issue that combines security, prosperity, and environmental quality.”
Udall supports increase funding “for Department of Energy's renewable energy and energy efficiency research.” He “championed carbon sequestration.” Udall supports Governor Ritter’s vision of a new energy economy for Colorado. For more information on Mark Udall’s stance on the issue of energy security follow the link bellow.
Source: Mark Udall's Website
-Cordia Perez
Obama Wants New Direction on Energy
Obama will urge oil companies to look to their unused land.
Barrack Obama wants a different approach to utilizing America’s energy sources. The oil companies have 68 million acres of land they aren’t using. Both Candidates are pushing the Manhattan Project idea, that the country needs energy independence like it had in the 1940s. Obama believes if Americans purchase fuel efficient vehicles and the oil companies maximize their unused land, then saving energy is a tangible idea. Obama said he would pay $15 billion a year on green technologies by levying taxes of non-environmentally friendly companies. Barack Obama also says Americans can help conserve energy by having regular tune-ups on their cars and checking their tire pressure.
Source: News Leader
Devon Dey
The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices
Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists
In order to solve the serious environmental problems facing the world, the average middle-class American will have to embrace a sharp sweeping reduction in the amount of goods and materials we buy, own, use, and throw away. By focusing on a few especially damaging habits of consumption we can reduce our overall environmental impact dramatically. To read the full book you have to order it for $15.00, but follow this link to read Chapter One and get a good idea of where it’s going.
Source: Union of Concerned Scientist
-Cordia Perez
Obama Touts 'Green' Energy on Visit to Springs Preserve
Solar and wind power are the future
Barrack Obama visited Las Vegas back and June. While Obama was there he checked out the solar power panels that ran the Springs Preserve. Obama said renewable energy is not some farfetched idea; it’s creating jobs and lowering oil prices. Energy efficiency is a key part of the elections due to the skyrocketing gas prices that consumers are paying. Obama will not expand nuclear power, unlike his opponent John McCain, because of the waste that results. Obama wants to develop wind, solar and other types of less harmful energy sources. Obama is critical of John McCain’s approach to a green America. McCain plans to give the person who develops a battery technology for cars $300 million prize. Obama’s plan includes a stimulus check created from closing the Enron Loophole, and creating $150 billion in green jobs, and find a better way to store nuclear waste.
Source: Review Journal
-Devon Dey
Peter Tregillus, County Commissioner Candidate
District 2 candate
Peter Tregillus, a democratic candidate for the country commissioner seat currently held by Kelly Hotter, is interested in making La Plata County more environmentally conscious. He believes in the development of clean fuels and in promoting locally sustainable habits and businesses. Tregillus is focused on three primary issues, managing growth in La Plata County, taking care of community health, and building a transportation system that will help save the community money on energy. He will also work towards creating more affordable housing in the Durango region.
Source: Peter Tregillus's website
-Ben Rogers
Kellie Hotter, County Commissioner Candidate
Current District 2 Commissioner
Kellie Hotter, the current district 2 county commissioner is looking to serve for her second term. She is running against Peter Tregillus, a democratic candidate. Hotter has worked toward creating more affordable housing and will continue to promote affordable housing if she is elected for a second term. Kellie believes that the job of a county commissioner is to be a steward of the counties resources as well as to be a policy maker.
Source: Keller Hotter's website
-Ben Rogers
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