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March 28, 2024

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2008 Elections

Republicans on Environment and Energy

 

John McCain (has secured nomination)
He is committed to clean air and clean water and to conserving open space. He says global warming can no longer be ignored. Reducing the U.S. dependence on oil is not only a greenhouse gas issue, it’s a national security issue. Americans needs to limit carbon emission by harnessing market forces that will bring advanced technologies, such as nuclear energy, to the market faster. In addition to cleaning up the environment, that would reduce our dependence on foreign supplies of energy. He favors building the proposed national repository for nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, which is 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas . . . . more | Other issues | Bio

 

Ron Paul
He voted “Yes” on barring federal funding for the Energy Department’s “Yucca Mountain Youth Zone” Web site, which was designed to tell children that burying the country’s nuclear waste 90 miles from Las Vegas is safe. In terms of energy, the government should get out of protecting oil prices and allow the free market to set prices. If oil prices become too high, then the free market will develop alternative fuels. Protecting individual private property rights is the best way to protect the environment - you have no right to pollute your neighbor’s property, including your neighbor’s air or water. He doesn’t think anyone has the answer on what is causing an increase in C02 levels and global warming. . . . more | Other issues | Bio

 

Rudy Giuliani (dropped out)
Global warming is real and humans contribute to it. There is a way to deal with it and also to accomplish energy independence, which we need as a matter of national security. On global warming, “I think we have to accept the view that scientists have that there is global warming and that humans contribute to that. And the fact is that there is a way to deal with it and to address it in a way that we can also accomplish energy independence, which we need as a matter of national security. It’s frustrating and really dangerous for us to see money going to our enemies because we have to buy oil from certain countries. We should be supporting all the alternatives. We need a project similar to putting a man on the moon.” . . . more | Other issues | Bio

 

Mike Huckabee (dropped out)
He wants to ensure energy independence by exploring all avenues of alternative energy, such as nuclear, wind, solar, hydrogen, clean coal, bio-diesel and biomass. He says greenhouse gas emission should be curtailed. He supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and he supports increasing offshore drilling, but insists that the country should stop relying on oil. In terms of storing nuclear waste: “Everybody wants the benefits of nuclear energy, but nobody wants the storage of the nuclear material in their own backyard. Part of it is you have to make it economically viable for somebody to actually receive it. But a lot of it is changing attitudes, educating the public that nuclear byproducts can be disposed of safely, because the first reaction people have is, ‘Our kids are going to glow in the dark if we put that stuff in our state.’ That’s not the case.” . . . more | Other issues | Bio

 

Duncan Hunter (dropped out)
He believes it is important that Congress protect the property rights of private landowners and curb the government from excessive regulatory takings. He voted against barring the use of federal dollars for the Energy Department’s Web site to promote the use of Yucca Mountain as a federal nuclear waste dump. In terms of alternative energy, he thinks the country’s colleges, the private sector and government laboratories should work toward developing alternative fuels to end reliance on the Middle East oil and also help the climate. He wants to reduce taxes to zero for alternative energy sources. . . . more | Other issues | Bio

 

Mitt Romney (dropped out)
Through the development of additional forms of renewable energy sources coupled with the increase in our energy efficiency, America can end its dependency on foreign oil and clean up the environment. He plans to put America on an investment track much larger than the $4 billion that the administration currently has alloted to increase research in the renewable energy market. Outside of national efforts, Romney looks to align America with China and other countries to create a global movement toward energy efficiency and environmental protection. . . . more | Other issues | Bio

 

Tom Tancredo (dropped out)
He says the evidence suggests global warming is happening, but there isn’t enough evidence to suggest that human activity is the main cause. However the U.S. needs to move away from petroleum products for national security reasons because it must be imported from non-friendly nations. He favors increasing drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and on the continental shelf. He supports increasing the use of biofuels and in relying more on nuclear energy, which, he says, is safe. He says the problems of creating safe nuclear waste storage sites can be solved.. . . . more | Other issues | Bio

 

Fred Thompson (dropped out)
He says increasing U.S. energy independence and investing in alternative energy sources will produce a healthier environment. And, he says, while we don’t know for certain how or why climate change is occurring, it makes sense to take reasonable steps to reduce CO2 emissions without harming our economy. He wants an energy policy that invests in advanced technologies and places more emphasis on conservation and energy efficiency. He also wants to conduct research and development into technologies that improve the environment, especially the reduction of CO2 emissions. He believes climate change is real and will stay with the country. However, the U.S. alone can’t solve the problem. India and China must also do their part. . . . more | Other issues | Bio

 

— Las Vegas Sun new media managing editor Dave Toplikar and intern Jenna Kohler compiled this report.

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