Let's Parse Obama's vs McCains Energy Plans

[p71]

Obama's
Portal to his "Apollo like project," energy thoughts:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/newenergy

His speech:

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/pdf/EnergyFactSheet.pdf

McCain's:
Gateway to his thoughts regarding a comprehensive US energy policy(The Lexington Project) please note the icons :

http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/read.aspx?guid=17671aa4-2fe8-4008-859f-0ef1468e96f4

His speech:

http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/Speeches/1b708e23-5496-42a3-8771-aec271bf823e.htm

I posted these links with the hope that it would further the very helpful discussions that resulted from any earlier post about McCain's apparent support for CNG.

I have been very impressed the comments, especially so from those individuals that have had prior and current experience in the Nuclear Power industry. The discussion regarding "Nuclear Waste" was particularly informative and highlighted how one's assumptions might easily fall within the A.S.S.U.M.E paradigm.

Personally, I have been out to Texas (the Pan Handle) to see wind farms, I have followed T. Boone's moves assiduously (making trades), currently commute using a Crown Vic (owned a Honda GX in the past) and remain an avid follower of all things energy.

My personal opinion is that we are a a critical juncture, a tipping point if you will, where we must make the "right or smart moves" or else we will lose the opportunity to do so without extreme pain and suffering the likes of which we haven't felt since the 1930's.

Thanks for any and all comments. I look forward to learning something.

[John Mitton]

Moved to the Lounge

Very insightful, p71.
I am going to move this to the Lounge where other political topics are being aired.

[ieko]

Re: Let's Parse Obama's vs McCains Energy Plans

What's odd to me is how their energy plans don't appear to include any plan to invest in our rail network. We could really benefit in the long term from creating a large passanger high speed rail network like europe and asia have. Not to mention creating rail networks in urban areas such as here in Los Angeles, it would effectively help with two goals, cut emissions and lower energy consumption. Of course our frieght rail network probably wouldn't mind some love either, I have a feeling you'll start to see a lot of factory jobs come back to the USA because of the cost of shipping goods and the weak dollar.

[alliedmotors]

Re: Let's Parse Obama's vs McCains Energy Plans

What's odd to me is how their energy plans don't appear to include any plan to invest in our rail network. We could really benefit in the long term from creating a large passanger high speed rail network like europe and asia have. Not to mention creating rail networks in urban areas such as here in Los Angeles, it would effectively help with two goals, cut emissions and lower energy consumption. Of course our frieght rail network probably wouldn't mind some love either, I have a feeling you'll start to see a lot of factory jobs come back to the USA because of the cost of shipping goods and the weak dollar.

That's due to the overzealous regulations of State and local governments and their zoning bureaucracies. Everyone would love high speed rail, but nobody wants it running through their neighborhoods. What I'd really like to see from the next President is a Public Administration "Czar" to encourage relaxing ridiculous taxation and zoning , reduce use permits and eliminate requirements like what kind of flowers have to be planted outside a business establishment. And in the worst case, sue the local governments under anti-trust (laws meant to keep out competition for established businesses) and interstate commerce (businesses denied permits whose main customers are out of state).

And yes, the high cost of fuel could be a blessing in disguise, it'll just take years to get those jobs back.

[cowboy]

Re: Let's Parse Obama's vs McCains Energy Plans

[ trains are nasty dirty just look under any rail bridge it is filty with smoke why not run on cng or lng as we could just cut a cng or lng car in behind the engine 2 or3 10 what ever is needed and think of the diesel saveing fast fuel just change cars o shucks I fogot we are talking about the rail road the goverment just throws money at it and they waste it cowboy B][/B]

[Gabby]

Re: Let's Parse Obama's vs McCains Energy Plans

What's odd to me is how their energy plans don't appear to include any plan to invest in our rail network. We could really benefit in the long term from creating a large passanger high speed rail network like europe and asia have. Not to mention creating rail networks in urban areas such as here in Los Angeles, it would effectively help with two goals, cut emissions and lower energy consumption. Of course our frieght rail network probably wouldn't mind some love either, I have a feeling you'll start to see a lot of factory jobs come back to the USA because of the cost of shipping goods and the weak dollar.

In Obama visit to Austintown, Ohio on Tuesday, August 5th 2008 he was questioned by someone about this very subject. He said he was for HSR. He did talk about HSR would be better than airline delays.

[David Burklin]

Re: Let's Parse Obama's vs McCains Energy Plans

If anybody wants to see the voting record of these two, I've taken information on their records and compiled them into a side-by-side comparison spreadsheet.

Voting Record Comparison (997kb)