Taking off from the TU's post, the following is a look at what each of the candidates have had to say about energy policies.
Brooks:
1. Bring our troops home from Iraq and reinvest the war's $12 billion monthly price tag here at home.
2. End tax loopholes for big oil companies and invest that money in alternative fuels and renewable energy.
3. Continue to push the auto industry to increase gas mileage.
4. Create higher tax deductions for purchasing hybrid vehicles.
5. End the eight-year practice of unnecessary price-gouging on the part of big oil companies by creating federal and state anti-gouging regulations that appropriately focus on the big oil companies.
6. Create federal and state energy plans that have been promised for years but never delivered.
7. Invest more in renewable energy businesses that will bring jobs and better wages to our region.
Shahinfar:
In April, I signed on to support the New Apollo Energy Act (H.R. 2809) [Link to H.R. 2809 - A.L.] as part of the Responsible Plan [to End the War in Iraq]. This legislation, according to its sponsor, Rep. Jay Inslee (WA-1), is "the most comprehensive and technologically visionary energy program proposed in Congress."
[...] Darius will fight to end the subsidies and tax breaks that the Bush Administration has handed out to their friends in Big Oil. If we want to combat high gas prices and overcome our overdependence on foreign oil, we must invest in alternative energy sources.
Darius will foster the development of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies for a cleaner, healthier environment. He'll push for investments in solar, hydro and wind power, as well as bio fuels - which in turn will also create high-paying, green-collar jobs. And he will invest in technological innovations that protect our environment, save consumers money and strengthen our economy.
Steck:
Crack Down on Speculators.
Many economists believe energy speculation accounts for a big part of the hike in the price of oil. Phil supports closing the "Enron Loophole" and cracking down on energy speculators with better regulation and beefed up enforcement of the commodities market.
Taking on Big Oil.
Phil supports enacting a Windfall Profits Tax on Big Oil to stop gouging at the gas pump. The revenue from that tax should be used to invest in sustainable and clean alternative energy technologies..
Alternative Energy Solutions.
The federal government needs to create real incentives for investment in renewable energy technologies, ease the regulatory burdens on clean power producers, and phase out environment-wasting old energy producers.
We need new, ambitious energy efficiency standards. America is a creative, innovative nation, and American businesses have the capacity to meet these standards. Icing on the cake is that innovation creates jobs.
Local Solutions.
In the Capital Region, we are fortunate to have companies that are transforming their businesses to meet the growing demand for renewables. As a Congressman, Phil will fight to create a national energy policy that will support the efforts of our local businesses who are investing in alternative energy.
Phil will also strongly support local efforts to expand hydroelectric power to fully utilize our natural assets.
Sullivan:
[...] Congress should:
1. Authorize drilling for oil in Anwar and in offshore U.S waters,
2. Authorize rapid expansion of alternative energy production, including coal, water power and wind turbines, recognizing that it may be a decade or more before these alternative energy sources are on line.
2. Mandate that automakers make a crash program to produce vehicles that get 40 to 50, or more miles per gallon of gasoline. Note that electric or battery powered vehicles have a short range and may be an option in urban areas, but, in the vastness of our country, more MPG is the immediate need.
3. Improve repair and expansion of rail road building. Rail will eventually replace long haul trucking as a means of moving freight and automobiles for commuting to and from work.
4. Reform and shorten Congressional sessions and travel by adopting telecommuting as an alternative. Stream line legislative calendars, eliminate dead end legislation that is going nowhere, and amounts to political partisan grandstanding or posturing.
Tonko:
Federal funding for Research and Development: Innovations in renewable energy technologies will benefit every American. [...] If elected, I will push for a ten year, $10 billion investment in alternative energy research and development.
Creation of a new "Green Economy": [...] As the leader in nanotechnology, and home to numerous institutions of higher learning like Union, RPI and the University at Albany, the Capital Region will be an ideal place for the growth of the green power industry. [...]
Training a "Green Collar" workforce: [...] Creating the training programs that will prepare workers for a career in alternative energy is a priority for me. These programs need to cover the spectrum of workers from the trades to engineers, inventors and innovators.
A Carbon Cap and Trade System: [...] According to a carbon cap and trade system, a limited number of permits for carbon emissions will be issued to industries that are users of carbon based fuels. Individual companies will be able to sell or buy permits at auction, providing an incentive for these companies to find innovative ways to reduce their carbon consumption and output. [...]
Promoting National Energy Portfolio Standards: [...] I believe that we must establish a national mandate to produce 10% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2012 and 30% by 2018. [...]
End Subsidies to Big Oil and Support Alternative Energy: As a part of President Bush's failed energy policy, billions of dollars in tax cuts and subsidies were given to the largest oil companies, which are among the most profitable firms in the world. I support stripping these oil companies of their subsidies and using those funds to promote clean energy sources.
Increased Fuel Efficiency Standards: [...] I will work to enact legislation that doubles fuel efficiency within ten years. [...] In addition, a comprehensive energy policy must include incentives to help working families upgrade their cars to more fuel efficient hybrid models through refundable tax credits.
Expanding Access to Public Transportation [...]
Increasing the Energy Efficiency of Buildings and Homes: [...] An effective comprehensive energy policy must include energy efficiency standards for newly constructed buildings. Energy efficiency in older homes must be addressed, and the federal government must make a commitment to refitting millions of existing homes to be more energy efficient.
Increase Transparency of Commodities Futures Markets: [...] If elected to Congress, I will support legislation to bring transparency to the commodities markets, defusing the potential for speculation and increase the penalties for speculators who negatively impact the market.
Taking on the Oil Cartels: [...] I believe that the anti-trust powers of the Federal Government should be used to take on these oil companies and return competition to the marketplace.
Making Necessary Improvements in the Nation's Electricity Grid: [...] We must make investments in "Smart Grid" technology that manages peak load reductions through smart metering, demand response, and by promoting combined heat and power generation. [...]
