The Political Climate: an ongoing commentary on the NH Primary and Climate Change

Governor Mitt Romney returned to New Hampshire this weekend for his reported 20th visit to the state since the 2004 election.  He stopped in for some seafood in Seabrook, a town that could be underwater by the end of the century if scientific predictions about sea level rise are correct.  It only seemed appropriate that he discuss his climate change action plan.  He provided a short summary of his plan to achieve energy independence at home and work with India and China abroad.

Later in the afternoon Romney faced more climate change questions in Exeter and provided more detailed vision of the Romney climate change and energy plan.  As a preface to his plan Romney assured the crowd that a majority of scientists believe that the globe is getting warmer and “they believe that human activity is contributing to it.  I do not know what proportion is human activity or what proportion is other things…but my view is that we can take action.”  He then segued into an explanation his No Regrets Policy.  In this plan America would achieve energy independence and as a positive byproduct of energy independence would reduce GHG emissions.

Romney stated:

“I want to see us develop energy sources in this country that are not CO2 emitting.  I want to see us have renewable resources.  That is why we invest, as we do, in renewables like ethanol, but also cellulosic ethanol, biodesil, biofuel, biomass, solar, wind.  I would like to see us have more nuclear power.  I would like to see us have liquefied coal if we can sequester the CO2.”

Romney touched upon the need for more efficiency but did not mention federal emissions reductions, rather he believed that higher costs would cause a market shift and more efficient vehicles.  He finished his remarks by discussing the need for America to work with India and China on climate change, one of the Carbon Coalition’s Seven Benchmarks of a climate change action plan.  He does not want the United States to unilaterally set limits on emissions without cooperation from India and China.

Later in the Exeter town meeting, Romney discussed how the United States must drill for oil domestically to achieve energy independence.  He stated: “I believe that drilling is responsible, I do not believe that it is environmentally unfriendly.”  This is a point where Romney’s priorities of achieving energy independence and fighting climate change diverge in his No Regrets Policy.  To read more about how increased domestic drilling affects climate change click here.

To hear audio of Romney in Exeter Click here: Audio Clip #1, Audio Clip #2