Judge Candidates' Environmental Stances

Press Release

Judge Candidates' Environmental Stances

By Anne Nielson

EARLIER THIS SUMMER, for the first time, a majority in the U.S. Senate voted to support action on climate change in the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act. Although politics blocked passage, the support encourages expectation of passage of a 2009 climate bill.

Investing in non-polluting alternative energy sources will lead to sustained recovery of our economy because of new technologies, industries and skilled manpower. When we make the transition to energy sources that do not emit global warming gases, we will also free ourselves from befriending, assisting or fighting oil-rich foreign governments.

The Climate Action Alliance of the Valley wants you to elect representatives who will find solutions. What do the candidates say? Here is information taken from candidates' Web sites, interviews by news media and the Congressional Record.

Sen. John McCain led an earlier Senate attempt to cap U.S. greenhouse emissions and believes that humans contribute to the problem, but has not mentioned it since becoming GOP candidate for President. His running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, told "Newsmax" that while "a changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other, I'm not one who would attribute it to being man-made."

Democrat Sen. Barack Obama, answering questions from "Science Debate 2008," a group of U.S. Science, health and engineering professionals, said "there can no longer be any doubt that human activities are influencing the global climate, and we must react quickly and effectively." He proposes a market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. His running mate, Sen. Biden, introduced the first bill designed to limit global warming pollution in 1986. As head of the Foreign Relations Committee, he held hearings on the national security implications. He co-authored a resolution with Republican Sen. Lugar asking the Bush administration to begin international climate negotiations.

Jim Gilmore, Republican U.S. Senate candidate, doesn't talk about climate change — his stance is unknown. He does have positions on energy independence, which he regards as a national security issue. He proposes drilling for oil off Virginia's shores and in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He supports more domestic coal production and expanding the use of alternative fuels. His opponent, Democrat Mark Warner, favors cap-and-trade proposals to limit carbon emissions. He promotes change in energy policy such as tax credits for renewable energy companies on par with credits the oil industry has and increasing auto efficiency. He does not rule out off-shore drilling, but warns it is "not a long-term solution."

Three candidates are running for the 6th District Congressional Seat. Democrat Sam Rasoul offers ideas on the energy crisis, which he sees as a national security priority. He would "call on Americans to rally to a national effort to meet the three-pronged environmental, security and employment problems ... cheap oil is not part of our future, we must move toward energy-efficiency and production of renewable energy." He favors transferring incentives given to the oil industry to renewable forms of energy, thereby creating jobs; and requiring oil companies to begin production on millions of acres of federal lands they have already explored and leased, before opening up new areas.

Incumbent Republican Bob Goodlatte voted for an amendment to require K-12 curriculum on climate change provided by the National Science Foundation, to include material on "the diversity of scientific viewpoints" about whether human actions are responsible for climate change. He supports oil and gas exploration off Virginia's shores and construction of coal-fired power plants.

Independent Janice Lee Allen, has only this on record — from her Web site: "The President and Congress should take the lead to encourage the creation of a universal organization to monitor the pollutants in this world, and to find solutions, for the wellbeing of our children."

We of CAAV urge you to consider the stance of each candidate on this issue that clouds the future of our children. Alternative energy entrepreneurs with tested methodologies await action by the federal government to cap emissions, thereby releasing a flood of private investment. New sources of energy will give us energy independence. We can do this — and we must.

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