tarabell
07-11-2007, 02:15 PM
Democratic and Republican presidential contenders seem to have taken note of voters' discontent. (http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/06/fa.critical.mass/index.html)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Fuel_Prices_Will_Not_Stop_Commuter_Traffic.jpg
Manav Tanneeru – CNN.com – July 9, 2007
(CNN) -- In late June, the U.S. Senate passed an energy bill that would raise gas mileage standards for the first time in 20 years and fund research on alternative energy sources. The bill's proponents call it a breakthrough in the nation's energy debate, saying the focus is shifting from reliance on fossil fuels and foreign oil toward renewable fuels and green technology.
The measure comes amid another summer of high gas prices, state and local conservation efforts and a presidential campaign where voters and candidates say the issue is key.
So is a critical mass building among Americans and legislators for changes in U.S. energy policy? Or are these efforts simply blips on the radar as Americans continue to drive SUVs and Hummers?
A recent analysis by the Gallup Poll showed energy as Americans' fourth most-important priority for Washington, below Iraq, terrorism and national security, and the economy. The analysis also showed Americans prefer energy conservation over more production, and that a large majority also favors tightening emissions standards and developing alternative sources of energy.
When asked to rate the importance of issues in voting for a presidential candidate next year, 43 percent of Americans said gas prices would be "extremely important," according to a May poll by Opinion Research Corporation. The percentage was tied with health care and below Iraq, terrorism and education.
Democratic and Republican presidential contenders seem to have taken note of voters' discontent. "It's a national security issue. It's a health care issue," Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, a Democrat, said during a CNN presidential debate in New Hampshire in June. He touted a plan that would require a standard of 50 miles per gallon for automobiles by 2017.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, touted an "Apollo program" -- referring to the 1960s effort that put men on the moon -- that would reduce dependence on foreign oil by more than half and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent.
During the Republican presidential debate in New Hampshire two days later, many candidates said much the same thing. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a Republican, also called for an "Apollo program" and said reducing foreign dependence on oil was intrinsically tied to national security. "It's frustrating and really dangerous for us to see money going to our enemies because we have to buy oil from certain countries," he said. "We should be supporting all the alternatives."
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican, said oil companies ought to play a part in rebuilding old infrastructure, which would increase efficiency and possibly reduce costs. "Big oil is making a lot of money right now, and I'd like to see them using that money to invest in refineries," Romney said. "Don't forget that when companies earn profit, that money's supposed to be reinvested in growth and our refineries are old."
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/06/fa.critical.mass/index.html
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Fuel_Prices_Will_Not_Stop_Commuter_Traffic.jpg
Manav Tanneeru – CNN.com – July 9, 2007
(CNN) -- In late June, the U.S. Senate passed an energy bill that would raise gas mileage standards for the first time in 20 years and fund research on alternative energy sources. The bill's proponents call it a breakthrough in the nation's energy debate, saying the focus is shifting from reliance on fossil fuels and foreign oil toward renewable fuels and green technology.
The measure comes amid another summer of high gas prices, state and local conservation efforts and a presidential campaign where voters and candidates say the issue is key.
So is a critical mass building among Americans and legislators for changes in U.S. energy policy? Or are these efforts simply blips on the radar as Americans continue to drive SUVs and Hummers?
A recent analysis by the Gallup Poll showed energy as Americans' fourth most-important priority for Washington, below Iraq, terrorism and national security, and the economy. The analysis also showed Americans prefer energy conservation over more production, and that a large majority also favors tightening emissions standards and developing alternative sources of energy.
When asked to rate the importance of issues in voting for a presidential candidate next year, 43 percent of Americans said gas prices would be "extremely important," according to a May poll by Opinion Research Corporation. The percentage was tied with health care and below Iraq, terrorism and education.
Democratic and Republican presidential contenders seem to have taken note of voters' discontent. "It's a national security issue. It's a health care issue," Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, a Democrat, said during a CNN presidential debate in New Hampshire in June. He touted a plan that would require a standard of 50 miles per gallon for automobiles by 2017.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, touted an "Apollo program" -- referring to the 1960s effort that put men on the moon -- that would reduce dependence on foreign oil by more than half and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent.
During the Republican presidential debate in New Hampshire two days later, many candidates said much the same thing. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a Republican, also called for an "Apollo program" and said reducing foreign dependence on oil was intrinsically tied to national security. "It's frustrating and really dangerous for us to see money going to our enemies because we have to buy oil from certain countries," he said. "We should be supporting all the alternatives."
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican, said oil companies ought to play a part in rebuilding old infrastructure, which would increase efficiency and possibly reduce costs. "Big oil is making a lot of money right now, and I'd like to see them using that money to invest in refineries," Romney said. "Don't forget that when companies earn profit, that money's supposed to be reinvested in growth and our refineries are old."
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/06/fa.critical.mass/index.html