Does He or Doesn’t He?
August 24th, 2007 by Carbon CoalitionNo, we’re not wondering if Edwards is a true brunette … we’re wondering if he does or does not endorse the NH Climate Change Resolution passed by 164 towns in NH last spring . He’s never officially endorsed the resolution (like Dodd and Richardson and McCain have) – even though key parts of his energy plan include a national cap on emissions and investment in renewable energy sources.
Yesterday’s theme was “Achieving Energy Independence and Halting Global Warming Through a New Energy Economy” for John Edwards on Day 1 of his “Fighting for One America” bus tour. Edwards made stops in Hanover, Keene, Peterborough and Hooksett where he made sure to talk about energy and global warming specifically before opening up to questions from local voters.
Since combating global warming is our theme every day, FOTPC’s were all over the state listening to what Edwards had to say and asking him questions about his energy plan. Edwards noted key parts of his energy plan including a national cap on emissions and investment in renewable energy sources. “We ought to reduce greenhouse gases by at least 80% by the year 2050, and I’m actually open to a more aggressive plan than that, but that’s the minimum we ought to be doing.”
Edwards made sure to tell the crowd that “There is a difference between my candidacy and my two major rivals for the nomination; I do not think we need more nuclear power plants. I am not in favor of that.” He also added that he is not for liquid coal, “I think the last thing we need is another carbon based fuel” and “I think we ought to have a moratorium, a ban on building any more coal fired power plants unless we actually have the capacity to capture the carbon which we do not have today and don’t appear to be very close to having.”
Before concluding, Edwards added something that Americans need to do in order to truly work together to combat global warming. “I know you’re not supposed to say this, but I’m going to say it anyway, sacrifice … We cannot spend and innovate our way out of this problem, we’re going to have to conserve, in our homes, in our workplaces, driving more fuel efficient vehicles … We have to do this together.”
I had the chance to follow up on this with Sen. Edwards and ask him how he would enable and encourage citizens to take conservation into their own hands. Edwards responded that it would be twofold, partly through financial incentives with tax breaks and credits and partly through peer pressure and the use of the bully pulpit.
“I think if the president of the United States is driving this and driving it every day and talking about how important and how irresponsible it is if we’re not conserving, then I think it makes it very hard for people to ride around in big gas guzzling cars and waste energy in their homes or work places.”
