GOP presidential candidate John McCain is slated to unveil his plans to address global warming in a speech Monday afternoon in Portland, Ore., where he'll call climate change a "test of foresight, of political courage, and of the unselfish concern that one generation owes to the next." McCain will lay out a series of goals for gradually reducing carbon emissions to 60 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050. He's poised to reiterate his call for a cap-and-trade system, but with expansive leeway for polluting companies to buy carbon offsets instead of reducing their own emissions. He'll also talk up his belief that nuclear power is "one of the cleanest, safest, and most reliable" energy sources, and emphasize the need to bring China and India into any international climate agreement. "The facts of global warming demand our urgent attention, especially in Washington," McCain will say in his speech, to be delivered at a wind-energy training facility.
Though McCain has said that climate change would be one of his top three issues as president, this will be his first comprehensive policy address on the subject. His plan falls short of the commitments most environmental groups have said they would like to see from the presidential candidates, but it puts McCain far ahead many in his party -- including, most notably, George W. Bush, who insists that any government-imposed cap on emissions would hurt the economy.
In an eco-themed event in New Jersey on Friday, McCain indicated that he would support the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act expected to hit the Senate floor in early June -- if big subsidies for nuclear energy are inserted in the legislation. McCain plans to hold additional environmental events in the Seattle area on Tuesday.
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Comments
View as Flat
WesleyJoseph Posted 4:21 pm
11 May 2008
This from a man who wants us to be safer? I would recommend any candidate for President read "Nuclear Power Is Not the Answer," by Helen Coldicott.
Newsflash to McCain and other politicians championing nuclear power: it's unsafe and its definitely not carbon-free. Please, do your reading before you decide to run for President.
There is ample room for expansion of renewable energy sources, such as hydro, solar, and wind.
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Alison Wiley Posted 11:27 pm
11 May 2008
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redambrosia99 Posted 1:28 am
12 May 2008
I suggest reading the latest Mother Jones magazine on the issue of energy sercurity... it's really interesting. :^)
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Delay And Deny Posted 3:41 am
12 May 2008
While McCain articulates a rational and mature policy, DemoClowns spend their time bickering over errant preachers.
Open your mind, Greens...McCain is embracing you with a chance to enable your goals!
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