Mitt Romney – very vague about renewable energy

The plan also includes devolving decision-making to the state level for onshore energy development, measures to reduce environmental and other regulation, and a speed-up of federal approval for new nuclear reactor designs and licensing of approved designs to two years.

Romney white paper on energy policy vague on renewable energy Solar Server 24 Aug 12, The campaign of U.S. Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney (R) has released a white paper regarding the candidate’s energy policy plans, calling for North American energy independence by 2020 and focusing on oil and gas development.

The document also includes vague calls for an end to alleged preferential treatment of renewable energy, and suggests removing subsidies, calling for a “level playing field”. This is a departure from the direct attacks on renewable energy which have been a feature of the Romney campaign to date….

Statement remarkable for vagueness on renewables In many ways, the statement continues Republican Party talking points and conspiracy theories regarding the treatment of renewable energy under the Obama Administration, including claims that Obama has made war on the oil and coal industries.

However, it is also notable in its vagueness regarding specific policy supports for renewable technologies. For readers not familiar with the
hostility that the Republican Party and the Romney Campaign have shown
to renewable energy industries, it could be seen as a mostly neutral
statement.
For example, the statement that government investment should be spread
across the full spectrum of energy-related technologies, and not “pick
winners” in the market is a transparent jab at Obama Administration
funding of renewable energy companies through the U.S. Department of
Energy.
Level playing field?
Calls for a “level playing field” not only ignore the historical role
that subsidies have played in the development and dominance of the
oil, gas, coal and petroleum industries, but are not in line with Mitt
Romney’s more specific policy proposals.
Romney and VP pick Paul Ryan (R) have repeatedly defended the
continuation of oil and fossil fuel subsidies, and Mitt Romney has
publicly stated that he would not extend the production tax credit
(PTC) for wind if elected. His opposition to the PTC has caused
dissension in the Republican Party, with Senator Chuck Grassley
(R-Iowa) condemning Romney for this position…..
The plan also includes devolving decision-making to the state level for onshore energy development, measures to reduce environmental and other regulation, and a speed-up of federal approval for new nuclear reactor designs and licensing of approved designs to two years.

Divergence from direct attacks on renewables?
It is unclear whether this latest document is a departure from or
complement to the strategy that the campaign has employed to date of
attacking U.S. President Obama through discrediting renewable
energy…. Romney has also chosen as a running mate Congressman Paul
Ryan, whose budget proposals have included gutting federal renewable
energy funding, including research and development, maintaining oil
and gas subsidies and blocking the EPA from regulating greenhouse
gases. http://www.solarserver.com/solar-magazine/solar-news/current/2012/kw34/romney-white-paper-on-energy-policy-vague-on-renewable-energy.html