Reality must be the basis of all energy decisions. Not pie in the sky ideas.
First off, I feel that Obama has failed to have a coherent energy policy during his term. Throwing money at renewable energy companies because their management helped fund his 2008 campaign is not a good policy for the nation. Which is strike 1 against him.
With that stated, any energy policy implemented by either candidate cannot drive a majority of the US population into poverty for the sake of saving the planet.
Obamas other attempt at an energy policy, cap and trade, would have added an average $1,200 in punitive fossil fuels taxes per person per year for necessities like heating, electricity and transportation. The average American family of 3 cannot afford $3,600 a year which is why most democrats in Congress opposed the president on that one. Strike 2.
Forgetting the ridiculous argument against CO2 for a moment, I will say that clean energy sources are needed to reduce real pollution in the world.
All developed nations, including China, India and Brazil, need to follow the same rules as the western nations if the planet is to be saved. Allowing some of the most populous nations on the planet to escape the rules is negating any positive impact western anti-pollution rules might have. Allowing them to keep polluting while having the EPA crack down on CO2 emissions is strike 3.
Clean energy cannot place all of the financial burden of its implementation on the average lowly citizen. Be it punitive taxes on petroleum products or overly expensive wind and solar projects, you cannot punish the average citizen for needing a way to get to work or wanting lights or heat in their homes.
A competent energy policy needs at least 2 focus points. Improving the efficiency of energy consumption and lowering the cost of clean energy.
The first is obvious. Reduce energy consumption with the hope that new energy uses will not outpace efficiencies gained. We need to reduce or eliminate the need for new power generation capacity.
The second goal is the hard one for many clean energy proponents to swallow.
Clean energy needs to become synonymous with cheaper energy.
Fossil fuels will gradually become more expensive as they becomes scarce. There is no need to force it with punitive taxes against the poor and middle class who cannot afford it. We need to focus on making clean energy technology more affordable to the consumer. Reduced installation costs, reduced operating costs, reduced rates to pass on to the consumer.
Clean energy needs to improve people lives. Not break people.
Cleaner air and water + lower cost of living = a better standard of living for all.
