NEWS

Obama, McCain camps all charged up about energy

07/14/2008

By CHARLOTTE EBY, Globe Des Moines Bureau

DES MOINES - The campaign for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama charged that Republican John McCain’s energy policies could cost Iowa jobs and do little to bring down energy prices for consumers.

In a conference call with Iowa reporters, Obama’s national energy adviser, Heather Zichal, pointed to what the campaign characterized as McCain’s opposition to increased fuel efficiency standards and investments in alternative fuels and renewable energy.

"From an Iowa girl’s perspective, I can tell you that Sen. McCain’s energy policy is not only bad for the country but it’s bad for my home state of Iowa," said Zichal, who is from Elkader.

Iowa is the top producer of ethanol and home to an emerging wind energy industry.

"If it were up to Sen. McCain, his policies would not foster that growth and foster the potential for Iowa to really be a leader in promoting a clean energy future," Zichal said.

Obama delivered a speech Friday in Ohio contrasting his energy policy with McCain’s on the day oil prices hit a record $147 a barrel.

Tucker Bounds, a spokesman for the McCain campaign, hit back with criticisms of Obama’s energy positions.

"Today, Barack Obama criticized wind, hydropower, domestic oil drilling, gas tax relief and nuclear power but did not offer a single proposal to bring down gas prices," Bounds said in a statement.

"The difference is Obama’s ‘Dr. No’ approach believes that every energy source has a problem and John McCain believes that every energy source can be part of the solution Americans need right now."

The McCain campaign also disputed the idea that McCain does not support increased fuel efficiency standards.

Obama is proposing a $50 billion stimulus package that would provide energy rebate checks to Americans to help offset energy costs. He also has called for a crackdown on oil speculation.