This information was compiled from candidate websites, their votes in Congress, and recent public statements. It reflects the current positions of candidates as of November 6, 2007. As candidates release their energy plans or new policies, we will update this information. Click here for a downloadable pdf file.
CANDIDATES | CARBON CAP AND TARGETS | FUEL EFFICIENCY | RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY STANDARD | EFFICIENCY TARGETS | NEW COAL PLANTS AND LIQUID COAL |
Joe Biden | Supports 80% reductions by 2050 | Supports 40 mpg fleetwide standard by 2017 | Supports 20% standard by 2020 | Supports 10% reduction in energy consumption by 2020 | Opposes investment in liquid coal |
Hillary Clinton | Supports 80% reductions by 2050 | Supports 55 mpg | Supports 25% standard by 2025 | Supports 20% reduction in energy consumption by 2020 | Utilities must show that demand cannot be met through efficiency before building new coal plants; supported investing in liquid coal if it reduces carbon pollution by 20% |
Chris Dodd | Supports 80% reductions by 2050 | Supports 50 mpg for cars by 2017 | Supports 20% standard by 2020 | Supports 15% decrease in electricity consumption by 2018 | New coal plants must capture and store carbon emissions |
John Edwards | Supports at least 80% reductions by 2050 | Supports 40 mpg fleetwide standard by 2016 | Supports 25% standard by 2025% | Supports 15% decrease in electricity consumption by 2018 | Supports ban on new coal plants unless they are compatible with carbon capture and storage technology |
Rudy Giuliani | No articulated position | No articulated position | No articulated position | No articulated position | Supports liquid coal |
Mike Gravel | Supports cap tied to international compliance; no target specified | Supports 40 mpg | Supports 20% standard by 2020 | Supports upgrading national utility grid | New coal plants must capture and store carbon emissions |
Mike Huckabee | Supports a cap on carbon emissions; no target specified | Supports 35 mpg | Supports 15% standard by 2020, which ncludes nuclear power | No articulated position | No articulated position |
Duncan Hunter | No articulated position | Opposed 33 mpg in 2005 | No articulated position | No articulated position | No articulated position |
Dennis Kucinich | Supports 80% reductions by 2050 | Supported 33 mpg in 2005 | Supports 20% standard by 2010 | General support for efficiency; no target specified | No articulated position |
John McCain | Lead author of bill to reduce emissions 65% by 2050 | Supports fuel efficiency increase, no standard specified | Opposed 10% standard in 2005; opposed 20% standard in 2002 | General support for efficiency; no target specified | No articulated position |
Barack Obama | Supports 80% reductions by 2050 | Supports 50 mpg fleetwide standard in 18 years | Supports 25% standard by 2025 | Supports 50% reduction in energy intensity by 2030 | Supports investing in liquid coal if it reduces carbon pollution by 10%; will consider standards that ban new conventional coal plants |
Ron Paul | No articulated position | Opposed 33 mpg in 2005 | No articulated position | No articulated position | No articulated position |
Bill Richardson | Supports 90% reductions by 2050 | Supports 50 mpg fleetwide standard | Supports 30% standard by 2020 and 50% by 2050 | Supports 20% increase in energy productivity by 2020 | Opposes liquid coal. Supports ban on new coal plants unless they capture and store emissions |
Mitt Romney | Willing to consider cap on emissions only if enacted globally | Opposes increasing fuel efficiency standards as stand alone measure | No articulated position | General support for efficiency; no target specified | Supports liquid coal |
Fred Thompson | No articulated position | Opposed 35 mpg in 2002 | In 2002, opposed 10% and 20% standard | No articulated position | No articulated position |
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