As the 2008 election campaigns entered the home stretch, the two major presidential nominees left discussion of energy issues to surrogates. Two such lively discussions were recently held in Washington, DC.
In one, Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) and a predecessor George Allen (R) represented the campaigns of Sens. Barack H. Obama and John S. McCain, respectively, at an Oct. 15 Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce breakfast debate.
Virginia became part of the US Minerals Management Service’s 2007-12 Outer Continental Shelf leasing plan after its legislators passed a comprehensive energy plan, including possible offshore lease sales, and Kaine signed it in 2006. “We’d like to learn what’s out there and then determine whether it should be leased and developed,” Kaine said.
Allen said the state has tried for 2 years to get out from under a federal OCS moratorium but was repeatedly frustrated by Democratic congressional leaders. “Once it does, Georgia and the Carolinas won’t be far behind,” he predicted.
‘Use it or lose it’
Allen and Kaine said their respective candidates support more access to domestic resources. But Kaine said Obama wants to see lessees develop tracts more quickly and suggested that so-called “Use it or lose it” legislation might be needed. Allen responded that this would be redundant because federal leases already have time limits.
“I don’t think Americans are addicted to oil. They’re addicted to the freedom to move anywhere at any time, whether with petroleum products, cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, peanut oil, or other alternatives,” said Allen. McCain favors an “all of the above” approach, he said.
Kaine said Obama wants more alternative and renewable energy research and development. “Drilling for more oil and gas domestically should be part of a total package, but he wants it to be a small part. It’s a short-term strategy that’s a dead end without alternatives,” he said.
Major role for gas
The two major nominees’ energy policy advisors also debated at an American Gas Association Natural Gas Roundtable luncheon Oct. 16. John McCarrick, representing McCain, and L.G. Holstein, representing Obama, agreed that gas will continue to play a major US energy role. Both candidates want to increase domestic production, support opening more of the OCS, but oppose leasing within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Holstein suggested that the nominees’ biggest energy policy difference is over nuclear power, which McCain encourages. He said Obama would promote gas and realizes its increased use would require more domestic production.
McCarrick responded that the International Energy Agency has said 1,200-1,400 more nuclear plants would be needed to meet future worldwide demand, and the US needs to regain the technological lead.