Kerry to Announce Energy Plan to Wean US Off Foreign Oil (USA TODAY)
Kerry to announce 10-year, $30 billion energy plan
By Jill Lawrence, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry visits a family farm near Kansas City, Mo., today to announce a 10-year, $30 billion plan to wean America off foreign oil.
The plan sets two national goals for 2020: that 20% of electricity and 20% of motor fuel come from alternative sources such as wind, solar, ethanol and biodiesel fuel.
"What we cannot afford is four more years of an energy policy that leaves our security and our prosperity in the hands of foreign governments who don't share our values," Kerry said in remarks prepared for delivery. He said his plan would help the country control its destiny, create jobs and make sure no U.S. soldier has to go to war over Middle East oil.
Kerry's plan would:
• Commit $5 billion over the 10-year program to a "clean fuels partnership" among government, agriculture and industry to encourage and conduct research into fuels made from corn, soybeans, agricultural waste and other sources. Another $5 billion would create jobs in clean energy technology.
• Devote $10 billion to research into non-polluting ways to burn coal and building such "clean coal" facilities.
• Provide $10 billion to help auto plants adapt to build high-tech "cars of the future" and give consumers a $5,000 tax incentive to buy energy-efficient vehicles.
Kerry aides said the costs would be offset by new fuel efficiency standards for federal buildings and vehicles, and reinstatement of a tax on oil companies to pay to clean up polluted sites.
Other Kerry proposals include streamlining 300 state and local regulations on gas prices and stabilizing the power grid. The grid failed in a spectacular blackout last Aug. 14; improvements have languished in an energy bill stalled by a provision to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Kerry helped lead opposition to the drilling.
Full article in the comments
By Jill Lawrence, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry visits a family farm near Kansas City, Mo., today to announce a 10-year, $30 billion plan to wean America off foreign oil.
The plan sets two national goals for 2020: that 20% of electricity and 20% of motor fuel come from alternative sources such as wind, solar, ethanol and biodiesel fuel.
"What we cannot afford is four more years of an energy policy that leaves our security and our prosperity in the hands of foreign governments who don't share our values," Kerry said in remarks prepared for delivery. He said his plan would help the country control its destiny, create jobs and make sure no U.S. soldier has to go to war over Middle East oil.
Kerry's plan would:
• Commit $5 billion over the 10-year program to a "clean fuels partnership" among government, agriculture and industry to encourage and conduct research into fuels made from corn, soybeans, agricultural waste and other sources. Another $5 billion would create jobs in clean energy technology.
• Devote $10 billion to research into non-polluting ways to burn coal and building such "clean coal" facilities.
• Provide $10 billion to help auto plants adapt to build high-tech "cars of the future" and give consumers a $5,000 tax incentive to buy energy-efficient vehicles.
Kerry aides said the costs would be offset by new fuel efficiency standards for federal buildings and vehicles, and reinstatement of a tax on oil companies to pay to clean up polluted sites.
Other Kerry proposals include streamlining 300 state and local regulations on gas prices and stabilizing the power grid. The grid failed in a spectacular blackout last Aug. 14; improvements have languished in an energy bill stalled by a provision to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Kerry helped lead opposition to the drilling.
Full article in the comments
posted by Ron Chusid at 11:13 AM
1 Comments:
Kerry to announce 10-year, $30 billion energy plan
By Jill Lawrence, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry visits a family farm near Kansas City, Mo., today to announce a 10-year, $30 billion plan to wean America off foreign oil.
The plan sets two national goals for 2020: that 20% of electricity and 20% of motor fuel come from alternative sources such as wind, solar, ethanol and biodiesel fuel.
"What we cannot afford is four more years of an energy policy that leaves our security and our prosperity in the hands of foreign governments who don't share our values," Kerry said in remarks prepared for delivery. He said his plan would help the country control its destiny, create jobs and make sure no U.S. soldier has to go to war over Middle East oil.
Kerry's plan would:
• Commit $5 billion over the 10-year program to a "clean fuels partnership" among government, agriculture and industry to encourage and conduct research into fuels made from corn, soybeans, agricultural waste and other sources. Another $5 billion would create jobs in clean energy technology.
• Devote $10 billion to research into non-polluting ways to burn coal and building such "clean coal" facilities.
• Provide $10 billion to help auto plants adapt to build high-tech "cars of the future" and give consumers a $5,000 tax incentive to buy energy-efficient vehicles.
Kerry aides said the costs would be offset by new fuel efficiency standards for federal buildings and vehicles, and reinstatement of a tax on oil companies to pay to clean up polluted sites.
Other Kerry proposals include streamlining 300 state and local regulations on gas prices and stabilizing the power grid. The grid failed in a spectacular blackout last Aug. 14; improvements have languished in an energy bill stalled by a provision to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Kerry helped lead opposition to the drilling.
If Bush and his aides considered the power-grid section of the bill a priority, "they could pull it out and pass it tomorrow," said Kerry's policy director, Sarah Bianchi.
Bush and Vice President Cheney say the stalled energy bill would increase drilling and offer tax incentives to spur conservation, exploration and production. They blame Senate Democrats for blocking it. "John Kerry and John Edwards voted no," Cheney said of Kerry and his running mate Tuesday in Hot Springs, Ark. He called that "a significant difference" between the two tickets.
Bush promoted hydrogen cars in a State of the Union speech. In May, he said his administration has raised fuel economy standards for large vehicles such as SUVs and set up a hotline to take complaints about price gouging on gas.
Jason Schenker, an energy analyst at Wachovia Corp. in Charlotte said Kerry is vague on coal research and a few other points but sets feasible goals and "offers better long-term solutions than the energy policies of the current administration." He said Bush is too focused on coal, oil and gas and isn't putting enough money into renewable fuel sources.
Kerry is announcing his plan in a week when the price of oil surged to a record $44.41 a barrel. Analysts say that could mean higher gas prices later this month.
Contributing: Barbara Hagenbaugh
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-08-05-kerry-energy_x.htm
Post a Comment
<< Home