From the piece:
‘Green’ Technology
McCain and Obama both demand a reduced reliance on foreign oil and support “clean coal technology,” which will reduce carbon emissions from burned coal. Both support “smart” electric grids to reduce energy use at home, and both support developing alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power.
McCain hopes to build 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030, plans to offer a $5,000 tax credit for purchasing zero-carbon-emissions cars and has suggested a $300 million prize for building a better plug-in battery for hybrid and fully electric cars.
Obama plans to weatherize 1 million homes annually to reduce energy use; offer a $7,000 tax credit for purchasing no-carbon-emissions vehicles; and press for the use of more biofuels.
McCain's plan seems more multi-layered and aggressive to me. The weatherizing of homes sounds interesting, just not sure what it means exactly...maybe for all those people who shouldn't have bought a home in the first place and got bailed out once, and now will get a home makeover?
Also, interesting to note that when it comes to spending more money or increasing government intervention, Obama does it almost across the board. I guess that is in line with the Democratic standard, but a)throwing money at stuff isn't always the best strategy, b) that's a whole lot of money he's gonna need from some where.
2 comments:
So McCain wants to build reactors, both want to subsidize electric cars (or solar? -- maybe hydrogen power? -- what else doesn't emit carbon?), and Obama wants to weatherize everyone's house. Why are any of these proposals appropriate for the federal government? Want more nuclear power? Cut the red tape and the utilities will build them. Want a better battery? Maybe some government-funded basic research is appropriate, but the guy who figures out how to make one economically will make a killing -- he doesn't need $300 million prize! What provision in the constitution provides that the federal government should weatherize private homes?
And why is it the president's job to present a legislative program anyway? I thought that was Congress' job.
Sorry, not impressed with either candidate's green proposals.
I think I need to agree somewhat with dad on this one. I think the focus should be on giving tax breaks to businesses or people who use green technology is a great start. If you by energy star appliances, you get money back from the power company. I like that. Just making it easier to develop green technology (either by "cutting the red tape" or by including some financial incentive such as tax breaks) seems like the easiest and least-involved solution at this point.
As for "clean coal" technology, from what I understand, that doesn't really exist. I read somewhere the argument for building up our solar and wind power. There's plenty of empty space in the west (like rural Idaho) that would be great for that. This would also create new jobs. Companies just need the incentive.
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