The Candidates and Energy Policy
Here's a look at the Democrat and Republican candidates' plans for the country in terms of energy. For more details on the candidates' stances on the issues go: here for President Obama's views; and here for Governor Romney's.
Romney will:
-Let states control energy development within their borders, establish five-year offshore leases to open new areas for development, including off the coasts of Virginia and the Carolinas. He will also set minimum production targets to increase accountability.
-Approve the Keystone XL pipeline, establish a new regional agreement to facilitate cross-border energy investment, promote and expand regulatory cooperation with Canada and Mexico and institute fast-track regulatory approval processes for cross-border pipelines and other infrastructure.
-Won't rely on decades-old surveys developed with decades-old technologies. Instead he will work to institute new energy assessments to determine the extent of our resources.
-Pursue reform of laws and regulations to strengthen environmental protections without destroying jobs or paralyzing industries and streamline the reviews, administrative procedures, and lawsuits that mire some new projects in red tape.
- Focus the federal government on research and development and eliminate barriers preventing new energy technologies from succeeding on their own merits.
Obama will:
- Double the fuel efficiency standards for cars sold in the U.S, which could save drivers $8,000 at the pump, create jobs in the U.S. auto industry, and save 12 billion barrels of oil.
-Promote the development of our near 100-year supply of natural gas.
-Offer millions of acres of land for development including 75% of our oil and gas resources in the Gulf and Arctic. He also want to improve measures to prevent future spills.
