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Local News | Where McCain, Obama stand on environmental, energy issues | Seattle Times Newspaper

Where McCain, Obama stand on environmental, energy issues
The seattle Times 22 Oct 08 By Warren Cornwall – “………………….The differences can hit close to home for Washington residents and businesses: The choice of president could influence where this region gets new power, which energy industries thrive and how the state confronts climate change…………………Both say climate change is a real, man-made problem that warrants federal action. And both endorse a pollution-cutting scheme known as “cap and trade.”…………………McCain’s approach to new energy sources is largely in step with fellow Republicans. Like Bush, nuclear power is a centerpiece of his plan. He has called for construction of 45 new nuclear-power reactors in the United States by 2030…………….In past global-warming legislation, McCain has pressed for nuclear industry subsidies and loan guarantees worth as much as $3.7 billion
Obama has given nuclear power a cooler reception. While saying he supports it, he says the nation needs to figure out a way to deal with the radioactive waste it produces. He opposes the present nuclear-waste disposal plan — burying it deep in a mountain in Nevada — warning that safety questions remain……………….Washington also has a history of radioactive pollution and financial catastrophe. The Hanford nuclear reservation near Richland and a former uranium mine northwest of Spokane are both federal Superfund cleanup sites.

The organization that built the Columbia Generating Station, known by the acronym WPPSS, earned the nickname “Whoops” for a $2.25 billion bond default in 1983, after cost overruns forced it to stop building four other nuclear reactors…………………..

Obama has placed greater emphasis than McCain on renewable energy, and sees a bigger role for the federal government to promote it.

He favors tax breaks for renewable power projects, as well as making utilities meet renewable energy quotas.

He has called for a $150 billion initiative to boost research in fuel-efficient cars, renewable energy and “clean coal” technology.

Local News | Where McCain, Obama stand on environmental, energy issues | Seattle Times Newspaper

Tags: nuclear, antinuclear, radioactive, uranium

October 22, 2008 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics