Al Franken on the environment:
Today, I think we need a new “Apollo project” – this time to fundamentally change our energy policy and end our reliance on foreign oil.The natural resources we have right here in Minnesota – not just corn and soybeans and biomass and wind, but innovation and creativity and brainpower – can lead to amazing breakthroughs if we commit to this undertaking.
This “Apollo project” should provide financial support for research into new forms of renewable energy and development of currently-identified sources to make them more efficient. Of course I’m talking about corn ethanol. But I’m also talking about cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels. I’m talking about solar power. And, especially here in Minnesota, I’m talking about wind power. We live in a windy state!
It’s going to be a huge project, but it will pay off in so many ways:
- We’ll dramatically improve our environment.
- We’ll finally be taking steps to address global warming.
- We’ll make our nation more secure and less dependent on an uncertain global fuel economy.
- We’ll revitalize our manufacturing sector. The Ford plant in St. Paul that’s closing down should be making wind turbines, and we should be putting them up all over Minnesota.
- We’ll create high-tech, high-paying jobs in conservation and R&D.
Renewable energy is win-win-win-win-win, and we should back it not only with our words, but with our resources. We should also invest in conservation – energy efficiency, light rail, and increased CAFE standards are all part of that.
Franken wants to embark upon an effort similar to the one undertaken in the 1960's as we headed to the moon. While this sounds great, it is short on specifics of cost and how Franken will pay for such a program. The question is, how much is Franken willing to spend on this program to make it a viable solution to the effects oil, gas, and coal have on our environment?
Mike Ciresi on the environment:
We must fund the initial investment by redirecting subsidies paid to the highly profitable oil and gas companies. The 2005 Energy Bill provided billions of dollars to the largest oil and gas firms in our country. These special interests have a stranglehold on our nation through record prices, record profits and at the same time, an undeserved share of our tax dollars. Subsidies for the rich do nothing to change our dependence on foreign oil or our need for rural revitalization. Investing in local farmers and universities does create positive change.Minnesota must lead the way. We have the natural resources, the educational facilities and the initiative to lead the nation in this effort – as proven by our leadership in ethanol. Not only can Minnesota lead our nation, we will bring needed dollars back to rural Minnesota to develop a vibrant economy. A strong economy will allow us to improve rural healthcare and education, and provide young people the opportunity to work and raise a family in rural areas.
As your U.S. Senator I will:
- Support and encourage strong conservation policies and practices
- Invest in clean energy technologies such as wind, solar, ethanol, and biomass.
- Bring America to energy independency by 2020 by creating an Apollo-type project. By investing in energy efficiency technology, investing in “green buildings” that are energy efficient, creating tougher mileage standards and investing in alternative fuels to power our automobiles we can reach that goal.
- Create a tax system that gives entrepreneurs and businesses incentives to develop clean energy technologies.
Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer on the environment:
Our planet is heating up at an accelerated pace, and scientists widely agree that human activities are a major cause. Without urgent action we will experience devastating effects, including coastal flooding, an unprecedented refugee crisis, prolonged droughts and heat waves, and water shortages. While our country is the largest contributor of greenhouse emissions, the Bush administration has refused to join international efforts to address global warming. The economic costs of not acting to address global warming are far greater than the costs of taking bold action now.We need to enact effective public policies to address global warming and build a renewable energy economy. This includes setting an ambitious national goal to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2030 through conservation, efficiency, better mileage vehicles, mass transit, responsible building codes and carbon taxes. Creating a renewable energy economy will generate millions of high-paying jobs. Federal research and development dollars must be reprioritized away from new weapons systems to renewable energy.
Nelson Pallmeyer takes on a more holistic view of the environment. While he is more general in his rhetoric, he is also more comprehensive. He speaks not just of the environmental needs associated with oil but also of our need to address all aspects of global warming. How he is going to pay for such a program is unclear other than stating that he would transfer money from failed defense programs to programs dealing with global warming.
What do you think?
I encourage anyone who supports one of these three candidates to comment about the positive aspects of their candidates health care positions. Perhaps I missed some policy statements or other evidence highlighting what your candidate will do in terms of the environment.
Stay Tuned, in the next episode we will examine these three candidates on various social issues such as Choice and the GLBT Community.
2 responses to "Al, Mike, & Jack: An Issue Analysis (Environment)"
Franken and Ciresi both have dissed the Sierra Club by name, so I'd be curious to hear their problems with one of America's longest-established environmental organizations if they claim to be environmentalists themselves.
Good work Muse! Mike's out. Now what?