Here's the audio file (MP3/16.4MB/1:11:57) for this Friday, October 17, 2008, session: Download C2_Nation
It has become increasingly apparent that current U.S. energy policies are no longer enough to cut it in today's political climate and warming global climate. Accordingly, these energy policies have been a hot topic in the 2008 presidential campaigns. The presidential candidates' energy plans represent very different directions for the nation's energy and environmental policy. David Jenkins, government affairs director for Republicans for Environmental Protection, William Kovacs, vice president of the Environment, Technology, and Public Affairs department of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and David Sandretti, communications director for the League of Conservation Voters, convened on a panel moderated by Dan Radmacher, editorial page editor for The Roanoke Times, to discuss the presidential candidates' positions and the bearing of the 2008 congressional elections on environmental policy.
On many key energy issues, such as carbon emissions, eliminating dependence on foreign oil, nuclear technology, and government support for biofuels, the candidates have taken widely different stances. Obama has stated that he will turn carbon dioxide emission control entirely over to the EPA; McCain will likely leave regulation to legislators. McCain supports the construction of 45 new nuclear power plants to replace energy we now get from foreign oil; Obama's support for nuclear power is much more limited. Obama is in favor of continuing ethanol subsidies; McCain is opposed. Both candidates face the issue of quickly and effectively integrating the development of technology into the reduction of emissions.
The state of congress will greatly impact the direction of U.S. politics. For instance, a filibuster proof senate for the Obama administration would greatly change the direction of policy and the concessions made to Republican senators.
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