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McCain pushes market-based approach to energy, climate change |
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By Aaron Blake
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Posted: 04/23/07 08:52 PM [ET] |
Saying global warming “isn’t a Hollywood invention” and calling the need for energy independence “urgent,” Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) yesterday laid out a market-based energy policy in his third and final policy speech before he makes his 2008 presidential candidacy official Wednesday.
Speaking in Washington, McCain renewed his call for a climate-change bill that would cap greenhouse-gas emissions, but said subsidies and tariffs are not the way to solve energy problems and create environmentally friendly alternatives.
“I’ll encourage the development of infrastructure and market growth necessary for these products to compete, and let consumers choose the winners,” McCain said. “I’ve never known an American entrepreneur worthy of the name who wouldn’t rather compete for sales than subsidies.”
Framing energy independence in a national security context, McCain said the status quo brings satisfaction to oil-rich enemies and compromises national security.
“Al Qaeda must revel in the irony that America is effectively helping to fund both sides of the war they caused,” McCain said. “As we sacrifice blood and treasure, some of our gas dollars flow to the fanatics who build the bombs, hatch the plots and carry out attacks on our soldiers and citizens.”
McCain also expressed support for resuming the construction of nuclear power plants. Barriers to more nuclear power are strictly political, he said, citing the example of France, which uses nuclear power for most of its energy needs.
McCain said America has “let the fears of 30 years ago” and the political battles over storage of spent nuclear fuel thwart efforts to make good use of the “zero-emission” energy option.
He made only an oblique reference to ethanol, not using the term but saying that “alcohol fuels made from corn, sugar, switchgrass” and other energy sources such as natural gas are promising alternatives to oil.
McCain recently came out in support of ethanol after long opposing it. Support of ethanol is strong in Iowa, which holds the first presidential contest in the country. In 2000, McCain didn’t participate in the Iowa caucus.
In the 2008 race, McCain is running a distant second in most national polls and is trying to recover from poor first-quarter fundraising numbers.
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), who is also running for president but is far back in the polls, last week introduced his own energy plan, which would include a corporate carbon tax.
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), who decided not to run for the second straight time, also released an energy proposal yesterday. His bill would set a goal for the United States Capitol complex to be carbon-neutral by the year 2020. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), a 2008 contender, announced his support for Kerry’s bill.
McCain’s market-based sentiments echoed the approach former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) advocated in a recent debate with Kerry.
In a post-speech press conference with reporters, McCain declined to pass judgment on whether World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz should resign amid revelations that he helped his girlfriend secure a raise. The senator said he hasn’t been keeping up to date on the situation. |
