John McCain reveals plan to tackle greenhouse emissions

Posted Tue May 13 2008 11:15 AM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

Republican presidential candidate John McCain revealed this week his plan to fight global warming, promising to increase funding for alternative fuel vehicles and power generation as well as introduce a market-based cap on greenhouse gas emissions. Under his plan, McCain predicts by 2012 greenhouse gas emissions would return to 2005 levels and by 2020 they would reach 1990 levels – the same levels mandated by the Kyoto Protocol for 2012.

Rival candidate Hillary Clinton has described McCain’s proposals as not going far enough, claiming they need to be backed by a science-based plan instead of halfway measures. Barack Obama, meanwhile, has supported the market-based cap system and hopes to reduce carbon emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. By contrast, President George W. Bush national goal released last month only sets out to stop the growth of greenhouse emissions in 2025.

Under McCain's plan, companies would need to make their own greenhouse gas reductions or pay a penalty once a certain cap is met. Money generated from the penalties could be used to support the development of advanced green technologies, reports The Detroit News.

All three candidates are also in favor of the move by California and 17 other states to impose their own 30% reduction in vehicle tailpipe emissions by 2016. Carmakers, who are opposed to the move, are planning to meet with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to warn of the effects of the tougher standards on jobs and the economy.

Reader Comments

Tue May 13 2008 12:50 PM
Gus says

I pity the democratic party. Their candidates are so arrogant as to believe the race is only between them. When they finally figure their BS out it'll be too late...

I also feel sorry for McCain, he will win, and it sounds like a thankless job...
Tue May 13 2008 5:57 PM
chris says

honestly.. i think the only purpose of having two different parties now is just to make sure that there are two people to vote for. I can absolutely assure you that the "democrats" that are seen as "progressive" arent even as progressive as the "conservatives" in most other countries. in canada, for example, our right wing is more left than your left wing, and canada is about as close to the USA as you can get. but seriously... mccain isnt a republican. republicans want to shoot anything that moves and make as much money as they can, by stepping over who ever they have to. this guy isnt a democrat. I'm not complaining... I'm just stating how similar the presidential elects are.
Tue May 13 2008 6:43 PM
HECTOR says

*Barack Obama, meanwhile, has supported the market-based cap system and hopes to reduce carbon emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.*

Does this guy even THINK before he says BS like this?
Wed May 14 2008 1:11 PM
chris says

hector, 2050 is a long way off and if that target was set in stone today, it could be done, without having to change too much about the USA. two things: nuclear power (u can build a LOT of nuclear reactors in 40 years) and electric cars. done.
Wed May 14 2008 7:01 PM
Gus says

Funny you mention that.
According to a survey I took recently, I have a tiny carbon footprint, even though I have a Mustang GT and an Expedition (and a boat, 2 motorcycles, etc).

Why?

We get our electricity from the Son Onofre nuclear power plant...

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