Compare the Candidates - Obama - McCain - Nader

Compare the Candidates
See at a glance where the presidential contenders stand on climate and energy issues
Scroll down to compare the views of major presidential candidates on climate and energy issues. Or narrow the chart down to compare just two: you can click on a candidate's picture to make their row disappear, then click here to restore the full chart.
Find out more about candidates' environmental stances in Grist's special election series: How Green Is Your Candidate? (And click here for info about the candidates who've dropped out of the race.)


Democratic Candidate
Cap-and-trade program for greenhouse-gas emissions
Fuel-economy standards for automobiles
Renewable energy
Biofuels
Coal
Nuclear energy
Barack Obama interview, fact sheet
Supports a cap-and-trade system to cut U.S. emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Would auction off 100% of emission credits, making polluters pay for the right to emit greenhouse gases. Is a cosponsor of the strongest climate bill in the Senate, the Boxer-Sanders Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act.
Supports raising standards to 52 mpg by 2026.
Calls for getting 25% of U.S. electricity from renewables by 2025. Calls for 30% of the federal government's electricity to come from renewables by 2020. Proposes investing $150 billion over 10 years in R&D for renewables, biofuels, efficiency, and other clean tech.
Calls for 60 billion gallons of biofuels to be produced in the U.S. each year by 2030.
Supports "clean coal." Supports coal-to-liquid fuels if they emit 20% less carbon over their lifecycle than conventional fuels. Says he would use "whatever tools are necessary to stop new dirty coal plants from being built in America -- including a ban on new traditional coal facilities."
Has said we should explore nuclear power as part of the energy mix, but has also said nuclear is not a great option because of problems with safety and storage and because it usually requires big government subsidies.


Republican Candidate
Cap-and-trade program for greenhouse-gas emissions
Fuel-economy standards for automobiles
Renewable energy
Biofuels
Coal
Nuclear energy
John McCain interview, fact sheet
Supports a cap-and-trade system to cut U.S. emissions 60% below 1990 levels by 2050. Would give away many emission credits at the start of his plan, instead of making polluting entities pay for the right to emit greenhouse gases, though down the line he would phase in auctions of such credits. Would allow domestic and international offsets as a form of compliance.
Supports raising standards, but has not named a specific target. In 2002, introduced legislation that would have raised standards to 36 mpg by 2016.
Supports renewables, but has not offered specific targets.
Supports increased use of biofuels. Opposes subsidies for ethanol.
Supports coal power and wants to find cleaner ways to use coal.
Supports nuclear power as a way to curb global warming and boost energy independence. Calls for subsidies for the nuclear industry.


Independent Candidate
Cap-and-trade program for greenhouse-gas emissions
Fuel-economy standards for automobiles
Renewable energy
Biofuels
Coal
Nuclear energy
Ralph Nader interview, fact sheet
Supports a carbon tax instead of a cap-and-trade program, but hasn't released details of his plan.
Supports raising standards. In 2000 and 2004, called for increasing standards for cars to 45 miles per gallon and light trucks to 35 mpg, to be phased in over five years.
Supports solar, wind, tidal, and other sources of renewable power.
Has voiced support for "biomass" as one good source of renewable energy, and also included biomass as part of his energy policy plan when he ran for president in 2004.
Has advocated moving away from coal power and halting subsidies to coal mining. Has also disparaged mountaintop-removal mining and criticized the Bush administration for what he says is its lax approach to coal-mine safety.
Opposes nuclear power.

Mike's Energy Independence Plan

Click below for interactive plan.
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I want America to be Energy Independent by July 4, 2015 and I want your voice heard.

Energy Independence Act As Introduced

Mike's Energy Independence PlanH.R. 6161 Section-by-Section

Click here to view Media Coverage on Mike's Energy Independence Plan.


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