John McCain on Environmental Issues

Now for part two of our look at the presidential candidates and their positions on environmental issues …

On the one hand, McCain seems to comprehend the clear connection between the environment and the economy. On the other? The word “Environment” doesn’t appear much on his campaign website–environmental issues are filed under “National Heritage.” One wonders…is he pandering to a Republican base or is he truly trying to redefine the conversation about environmental issues?

And while he rightly connects the dots between our economy and our ecology, he’s promoting “relief from high gas prices” when every economic analyst is saying that the only way to reduce our dependency on foreign oil is to reduce consumption–and the only way to reduce consumption is to raise the prices.  This first clear initiative is contradictory at best.  And if he believes that a healthy environment is the product of a strong economy, so at all costs we should bolster that economy–well, we’ve had our years of prosperity and what it’s done for our environment is pretty obvious.

While Enviro-Girl likes his stance on ethanol, McCain doesn’t seem to have a clear plan to reduce our oil dependency. Eliminating the tax that pays for our aging infrastructure seems like a “feel-good election year idea” that will only hurt Americans in the long haul.

Here are the facts gleaned from his campaign website and from On The Issues. What do you make of McCain’s stance on our environment? Will he help Protect the Planet?

• GovWatch: 2003: Ethanol doesn’t increase energy independence. (Feb 2008)
• End reliance on petro-dictators with market-based reform. (Feb 2008)
• Be more active in addressing the issue of climate change. (Jan 2008)
• In favor of cap-and-trade. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: Oil independence will take 25 years, not 5 years. (Dec 2007)
• Climate change is real and must be addressed. (Dec 2007)
• Climate change is real; nuclear power is solution. (Oct 2007)
• Public pressure on oil industry to invest in alternatives. (Oct 2007)
• FactCheck: nuclear plants do emit no GHGs, but do have waste. (Jun 2007)
• Reinvest oil profits in nuclear power. (Jun 2007)
• Ethanol made no sense in `05 but with $60/bbl it makes sense. (May 2007)
• 2000: Held hearings on mounting evidence of climate change. (Jan 2004)
• 2000: Criticized Bush’s withdrawal from the Kyoto Treaty. (Jan 2004)
• Energy 2001: 1st Republican to sign onto reducing GHGS. (May 2002)
• Strength Clean Air & Water Acts; but not Kyoto. (Jan 2000)
• Supports alternative fuels, emission controls, & CWA. (Jul 1998)
• Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska’s ANWR. (Nov 2005)
• Voted NO on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005)
• Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)
• Voted NO on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill. (Mar 2003)
• Voted NO on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
• Voted NO on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
• Voted YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)
• Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
• Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)
• Voted NO on do not require ethanol in gasoline. (Aug 1994)
• Sponsored bill for greenhouse gas tradeable allowances. (Feb 2005)
• Rated 17% by the CAF, indicating opposition to energy independence. (Dec 2006)
• Supports immediate reductions in greenhouse gases. (Sep 1998)
• Support much tougher regulations on emission requirements. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: Criticized $3M “bear DNA” study, but voted for it. (Nov 2007)
• Economic & environmental interests not mutually exclusive. (Sep 2007)
• Scored 40% on Humane Society Scorecard on animal protection. (Jan 2007)
• 1996: Put 3.5B acres of land into wilderness protection. (Jan 2004)
• Preserving wilderness among proudest achievements. (Sep 2002)
• Preserve and help our National Parks. (Jan 2000)
• Repeal ban on new roads in wilderness due to bad process. (Dec 1999)
• Use park visitor fees for park development bonds. (Dec 1999)
• Preserve natural resources for future. (Jul 1999)
• Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005)
• Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
• Voted YES on transportation demo projects. (Mar 1998)
• Voted NO on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997)
• Voted NO on continuing desert protection in California. (Oct 1994)
• Voted YES on requiring EPA risk assessments. (May 1994)
• End commercial whaling and illegal trade in whale meat. (Jun 2001)
• Supports grants for brownfields remediation. (May 2002)
• Make EPA into a Cabinet department. (May 2002)
• Rated 53% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment. (Dec 2003)
• EPA must do better on mercury clean-up. (Apr 2004)
• Focus on results, not regulation. (Sep 1998)

John McCain believes that America’s economic and environmental interests are not mutually exclusive, but rather inextricably linked. Our economic prospects depend greatly upon the sustainable use of ample and unspoiled natural resources. A clean and healthy environment is well served by a strong economy. History shows that poverty is a poor steward.

As John McCain said, “Americans solve problems. We don’t run from them.” He believes that ignoring the problem reflects a “liberal live for today” attitude unworthy of our great country, and poses a serious and unacceptable threat to our environment, our economy, and U.S. national security. He has offered common sense approaches to limit carbon emissions by harnessing market forces that will bring advanced technologies, such as nuclear energy, to the market faster, reduce our dependence on foreign supplies of energy, and see to it that America leads in a way that ensures all nations do their rightful share.

Americans need relief right now from high gas prices. John McCain will act immediately to reduce the pain of high gas prices.
Hard-working American families are suffering from higher gasoline prices. John McCain calls on Congress to suspend the 18.4 cent federal gas tax and 24.4 cent diesel tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
International demand for oil is bolstered by federal purchases for the SPR. There is no reason to fill it when oil is so expensive; the overall SPR is of adequate size, and when it places further upward pressure on prices.
Ethanol subsidies, tariff barriers and sugar quotas drive up food prices and hurt Americans. However, we cannot take the wrong direction and cut off trade for American goods.