2008 Presidential Candidates on Energy Issues
The Democrats
The Candidate	Cap-and-Trade Program for GHG Emissions	Fuel-Economy Standards for Automobiles	Renewable Energy	Biofuels	Coal	Nuclear Energy
Hilary Clinton	Supports a cap-and-trade system to cut U.S. emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.	Supports raising standards to 40 mpg by 2020 and 55 mpg by 2030.	Calls for obtaining 25% of U.S. electricity from renewables by 2025.  Proposes a $50 billion 10-year fund that would invest in renewables and other energy sources.	Calls for 60 billion gallons of homegrown biofuels to be available for use in vehicles in the U.S. by 2030.	Supports "clean coal" technology; coal-to-liquid fuels if they emit 20% less carbon over their lifecycle than conventional fuels.	Does not have a strong position, but does not emphasize as a power source unless waste storage and other problems are addressed.
Barack Obama	Supports a cap-and-trade system to cut U.S. emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.	Supports raising standards for cars to 40 mpg and light trucks to 32 mpg by 2020.	Calls for getting 25% of U.S. electricity from renewables by 2025.  Calls for 30% of the federal government's electricity to come from renewables by 2020.  Proposes investing $150 billion over 10 years in research and development activities for renewables, biofuels, efficiency, and other clean energy technology.	Calls for 60 billion gallons of biofuels to be produced in the U.S. each year by 2030.	Supports "clean coal" technology: coal-to-liquid fuels only if they emit 20% less carbon over their lifecycle than conventional fuels.	Supports nuclear power; power source should continue to be a part of the "energy mix" in the U.S.
John Edwards	Supports a cap-and-trade system to cut U.S. emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.	Supports raising standards to 40 mpg by 2016.	Calls for getting 25% of U.S. electricity from renewables by 2025.  Proposes a $13 billion/year fund that would invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other clean energy technology.	Calls for 65 billion gallons of biofuels to be produced in the U.S. each year by 2025.	Calls for a ban on new coal power plants unless they are compatible with carbon-capture and storage technology.  Opposes government investment in coal-to-liquid technologies.	Opposes nuclear power.
The Republicans
The Candidate	Cap-and-Trade Program for GHG Emissions	Fuel-Economy Standards for Automobiles	Renewable Energy	Biofuels	Coal	Nuclear Energy
Mitt Romney	Does not support a cap-and-trade system unless a system is adopted by all nations.	Opposes raising standards on their own outside of a broader energy plan.  Calls for other steps to make the U.S. auto fleet more efficient.	Supports renewables, but has not offered a specific target.	Supports increased use of biofuels.	Supports "clean coal" and coal-to-liquid fuels.	Supports nuclear power.
John McCain	Supports a cap-and-trade system.  Coauthor of the "Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act," which would cap emissions from utilities, industry, and transport at 2004 levels by 2012 and then gradually decrease emissions to about 30% of 2004 levels by 2050.	Supports raising standards, but has not named a specific target.  In 2002, introduced legislation that would have raised standards to 36 mpg by 2016.	Supports renewables, but has not offered a specific target.	Supports increased use of biofuels.  Opposes subsidies for ethanol.	Supports use of coal for energy production and wants to find cleaner ways to use it.	Supports nuclear power as a way to curb global warming and boost energy independence.  The "Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act" contains significant support for the nuclear industry.
Rudy Giuliani	Does not support a cap-and-trade system.	Opposes raising standards.	Supports renewables, but has not offered a specific target.	Supports increased use of biofuels.	Wants to increase U.S. reliance on coal, including "clean coal."  Supports coal-to-liquid fuels.	Supports expansion of nuclear power.
Mike Huckabee	Supports a cap-and-trade system, but has not proposed any specific targets.	Supports raising standards to 35 mpg by 2020.	Calls for getting 15% of U.S. electricity from "alternative" energy sources by 2020, which would include "clean coal" and nuclear power in addition to renewables.	Supports increased use of biofuels.	Supports "clean coal" and coal-to-liquid fuels.	Supports expansion of nuclear power.
Fred Thompson	Does not support a cap-and-trade system.	Has not outlined a clear position, although he voted against raising standards in 2002.	Supports renewables, but has not offered a specific target.	Supports increased use of biofuels and also supports the use of ethanol subsidies.	Supports "clean coal."  No clear position on coal-to-liquid fuels.	Supports nuclear power (lobbied for the nuclear industry).