Is it true that the French dispose of their nuclear wastes by sending them to Russia?
Will Russia accept ours? If it's not free, we may spend as much to dispose of our energy waste as we currently do to buy oil.
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We asked the McCain campaign for clarification and whether the candidate
had proposed any new federal spending for renewable energy (none is
included in his plan). We got this statement:
McCain camp statement: John McCain has proposed to make sense out of our support for renewable energy sources. For too long, the temporary tax credits for renewable energy sources has more closely reflected the power of each source's respective lobbyist, rather than its need or market viability. John McCain has proposed establishing a regime of federal support that will remain predictable and remain in place until an energy source can stand on its own in our market. Further, John McCain has committed to a generous and reformed R&D tax credit to spur innovation across industries, including the energy sector.
That sounds like McCain supports long-term tax credits, something renewable energy advocates would welcome, though it's not something he has supported in the past – even the very recent past. The federal investment tax credit, which provides incentives to businesses and individuals to invest in renewable energy, is set to expire at the end of the year. Renewable energy groups have lobbied for passage of Senate measures that would have extended the credit for eight years, but the legislation has been blocked eight times by Republicans who object to other tax increases that would cover the cost of the credits. McCain, and Obama, missed the most recent vote on such legislation.
McCain's statements on "rationaliz[ing] the current patchwork" and establishing "a regime of federal support that will remain predictable" don't offer enough detail for renewable energy advocates to say what his proposals would accomplish. Sara Birmingham, director of western U.S. policy at the Solar Alliance, a state-based advocacy group of solar industry companies, told us: "We absolutely like longer predictability," but she couldn't really say how the group felt about McCain's proposal "until we actually see what he has in mind."
Monique Hanis, director of communications for the Solar Energy Industries Association, said: "He really needs to fill in with specifics like what energy sources should be stimulated, what are his goals, what mix would he want to see by what timeframe."
McCain's vague pronouncements about renewable energy are overshadowed by his very specific proposals for nuclear plants, offshore drilling and a push to develop "clean coal" capabilities. Hanis, who couldn't hide her unhappiness for such a focus even in an e-mail, told us, "that seems like a patchwork."
In the past, McCain has not supported subsidies for renewable energy, or much else. In May, according to the Wall Street Journal, he said he was "wary" of government subsidies but that he supported federal help for nuclear power. Hanis also notes that his voting record doesn't show support for credits, either. The League of Conservation Voters gave McCain a 0 percent rating on its environmental scorecard for 2007 – he missed all the votes – and a 24 percent lifetime rating.
Obama's Version
Obama offers much more specific language and goals regarding renewable energy in his plan. The proposal rests on spending $150 billion over 10 years for alternative and renewable energy efforts, including promoting "development of commercial scale renewable energy." He also says he'll require that 25 percent of electricity used in the U.S. comes from sustainable sources such as solar, wind and geothermal by 2025. (Whether that's achievable remains to be seen: The Dept. of Energy says wind could provide 20 percent of U.S. electricity by 2030.)
And while the McCain camp didn't mention this in its back-up material for the ad, we also note that McCain supports a cap-and-trade program that would limit companies' greenhouse gas emissions. Such a plan could encourage corporations to invest in renewable energy by making the burning of coal, natural gas or petroleum more expensive. Obama also proposes a cap-and-trade program in a different form. Depending on the details, such plans should cause companies to shift to renewable or alternative energy sources by raising the cost of carbon-emitting energies.
Both candidates have taken to criticizing the other for having no real energy plan. The charges are false. Both candidates have released comprehensive plans. Obama'sproposal and McCain's are available on their Web sites.
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