from Obama's policy paper on the environment

[NightWatcher]

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/pdf/EnvironmentFactSheet.pdf

Re: Global Warming
Barack Obama supports implementation of a market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions by the amount scientists say is necessary: 80 percent below
1990 levels by 2050. Obama will start reducing emissions immediately in his administration by establishing strong annual reduction targets, and he’ll also implement a mandate of reducing emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

Barack Obama will invest $150 billion over 10 years in advanced energy technologies.

25 Percent of Electricity to Come from Renewable Sources by 2025: Barack Obama will establish a 25 percent federal Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to require that 25 percent of electricity consumed in the U.S. is derived from clean, sustainable energy sources, like solar, wind and geothermal by 2025.

Obama will ensure that at least 30 percent of the federal government’s electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020.

Barack Obama will ensure that all new federal buildings are zero-emissions by 2025, and he will ensure that all new federal buildings are 40 percent more efficient within the next five years. Obama will also make retrofitting existing federal buildings a top priority and seek to improve their efficiency by 25 percent within five years.

Barack Obama will create a competitive grant program to award those states and localities that take the first steps in implementing new building codes that prioritize energy efficiency. He will also provide a federal match for those states with public benefits funds that support energy efficiency retrofits for existing buildings.

Obama will create an energy-focused youth jobs program for disconnected and
disadvantaged youth. This program will provide participants with service opportunities to improve energy conservation and efficiency of homes and buildings in their communities, while also providing practical experience in important career fields of expected high-growth employment. It will also engage private sector employers and unions to provide apprenticeship opportunities. The program will also work closely with Obama’s proposed Clean Energy Corps to help participants find additional service opportunities after they
complete the Green Job Corps.

Barack Obama will double fuel economy standards within 18 years while protecting the financial future of domestic automakers. His plan will provide retooling tax credits and loan guarantees for domestic auto plants and parts manufacturers, so that the new fuel-efficient cars can be built in the U.S. rather than overseas.

Re: Clean Water

As a senator, Barack Obama has been a strong leader on clean water issues. He fought against offshore drilling in the U.S. Senate, and he supports maintaining current moratoriums on new offshore oil and natural gas drilling. He supports full funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which funds water quality protection projects for wastewater treatment, nonpoint source pollution control, and watershed and estuary
management. He also supported a new stormwater cleanup program to manage polluted runoff from roads and highways, which is the largest source of water pollution in coastal areas today. In Illinois, Obama cosponsored legislation that stopped the use of MTBE, a fuel additive which has been found to contaminate ground water. As president, he will improve the quality of our nation’s lakes, rivers, and drinking water.

Clean up our Water: Barack Obama will reinvigorate the drinking water standards that have been weakened under the Bush administration and update them to address new threats. He will help communities by restoring better federal financing for water and wastewater treatment infrastructure, and he will continue his leadership in protecting national treasures like the Great Lakes from threats such as industrial pollution, water diversion, and invasive species. Obama will establish policies to help high-growth regions with the challenges of managing their water supplies.

Restore the Wetlands: Barack Obama is an advocate for preserving our wetlands and supports a broad range of traditional conservation programs, including the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and the Wetland Reserve Program in the Farm Bill. He will work with local governments to develop the best strategies for protecting and expanding wetlands. Obama’s record on protecting wetlands dates back to his days as a state senator, when he was a cosponsor of the Wetlands Protection Act, which provided for the conservation of wetlands in Illinois.

Barack Obama will help the Gulf Coast restore the wetlands, marshes and barrier islands that are critical to tamping down the force of hurricanes and serve as critical fish and wildlife habitat. As president, Obama will immediately close the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, which experts say funneled floodwater into New Orleans.

Water in the West: Barack Obama understands that the American West is facing a serious water crisis. In the long run, we do not have enough water to meet the West’s fast-growing needs. Obama believes the federal government has an important role to play in helping local communities conserve water. He supports federal policies to encourage voluntary water banks, wastewater treatment, and other market-based conservation
measures. We also need to improve technology for water conservation and efficiency, and remove institutional barriers to increase cooperation and collaboration among federal, state, tribal, and private organizations. Nevada’s "cash for grass" program, in which people are paid to remove grass and put in desert landscaping, is an excellent model of conservation, and Obama intends to help local communities develop similar projects that
work for them.

Protect the Public from Nuclear Material: After a series of reports that Illinois nuclear power plants failed to disclose that radioactive substances had leaked into the groundwater, Barack Obama worked with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to introduce legislation that would require nuclear companies to inform state and local officials if
there is an accidental or unintentional leak of a radioactive substance. In 2005, Obama introduced legislation requiring the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to track unaccounted spent nuclear fuel rods used at power plants in the United States.

Conserve New Lands: Barack Obama is a strong supporter of increased funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which supports land acquisition and maintenance of parks. As a state senator, he supported the creation of the Illinois Open Land Trust Act, which allowed the state to buy property from willing sellers for conservation and recreation purposes and make grants and loans to local governments for acquiring land for open spaces.

[polichick]

1. Because the environment is my #1 issue...

I would love to see a Gore endorsement ~ it matters to me what he thinks about this.

[goodhue]

2. Now, that's stuff I can believe in