Energy

10 Energy And Environment Questions The Democrat Candidates Need To Answer


Last night, during the first half of the Democrat’s first presidential debate, the candidates spoke about climate change and energy—but only vaguely. The candidates avoided serious policy plans. Even Senator Elizabeth Warren, who called for some unknown amount of money to be spent on research for “green products,” lacked real details. And the moderators did not press for details.

Perhaps it was hard to get into the substance with so many candidates on stage vying for time, but at some point they need to elucidate their ideas if only to distinguish themselves from the pack. Here are questions Democrat candidates should be asked tonight in the second half of the debate and all the way through the campaign:

Concerning the future of power generation and fuel in America, candidates should be pressed to detail specifics. After all, the last couple of presidents have shown that executive power is exceedingly influential in determining US energy policy.

  1. The US is currently producing record amounts of oil. Since President Obama lifted the oil export ban, US exports have grown, and last week the US exported nearly 4 million barrels of crude oil per day. But this is coming largely from the fracking industry which has received much criticism amid claims of water pollution and potential contribution to seismic activity. How will you reconcile the economic and geopolitical benefit of this oil boom with the need to protect local communities and the environment?
  2. Some states, like Florida, have sought exemptions from the federal decision on offshore drilling. Do you think the choice should be left to each state, or, in your administration, would permitting and leasing of offshore drilling rights be a federal decision?
  3. In the recent past, the US has backed loans and made grants for alternative energy research, only to see the participating companies fail. Solyndra and Fisker are two prime examples. Do you support direct government support to alternative energy companies? If so, how would you improve the plan to avoid such huge failures? If not, how would you promote alternative energy?
  4. Some argue that the capacity of natural gas pipelines in certain regions of the country is insufficient. For example, the northeast cannot receive enough natural gas during the coldest spells in the winter, and it must instead burn coal or oil which are much worse for the environment. Local communities are fighting new natural gas pipelines. What do you say to those communities?
  5. Do you support a carbon tax? And, if so, how do you respond to critics who say it is a recessive tax hurting the lower and middle class the most?

Concerning global oil policy, candidates should be pressed on the intersection of climate or energy issues with geopolitics.

  1. Under President Trump, the US has walked away from the Paris Climate Accords. Nevertheless, reports have shown that the US is leading the world in mitigating its own climate emissions and cutting pollution. Would you return to the Paris Accords?
  2. There is currently a big debate on whether the US should sell nuclear power technology to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia burns natural gas and oil to produce electricity. Nuclear is a more environmentally-friendly alternative, but there are fears of the weaponized use of nuclear power in the Middle East. Do you support the sale of nuclear power technology to Saudi Arabia? What would be your criteria for determining if the US should sell nuclear power technology to a country?

The candidates should also be pressed on their own personal energy use and the practices of their campaigns.

  1. Who among you drives an electric vehicle or hybrid car? Please raise your hand.
  2. What do you do to mitigate the carbon footprint of your own home or homes?
  3. How is your campaign working to mitigate its carbon footprint? Please be specific, including limits on private flights, limiting the number of vehicles used, the types vehicles used, the types of lightbulbs you use, recycling initiatives, or carbon credits purchased.



READ NEWS SOURCE

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.