Your John-boy showing signs of re-run fever:Kerry outlines updated energy plan
By Glen Johnson, AP Political Writer | June 26, 2006
BOSTON --With sky-high gasoline prices providing a fresh perspective, Sen. John Kerry on Monday unveiled an energy plan reprising themes from his 2004 presidential campaign. The Massachusetts Democrat called for reducing oil imports, increasing the number of cars powered by renewable fuels and focusing on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
In remarks prepared for late-morning delivery at historic Faneuil Hall, he proclaimed an energy bill he will file this week will be "the most far-reaching proposal in our history." The text added: "Nothing else will protect our security and our world."
Kerry proposed a hard target of reducing U.S. oil consumption by 2.5 million barrels per day as of 2015 -- an amount equal to the volume of Middle Eastern oil currently used in the country.
In part, he suggested achieving that goal by requiring oil companies to provide at least one ethanol pump at their stations by 2010. He also called for a series of tax credits so consumers and carmakers will ensure 20 percent of all passenger cars and trucks as hybrids as of 2020.
"Twenty-twenty: That's not just a vision, that's a real program to jump-start energy independence," said Kerry's speech, reprising almost verbatim a line from the energy plan he outlined during his failed campaign to unseat President Bush.
In the 18 months since Bush began his second term, Kerry and his staff have argued gasoline price spikes, unchecked increases in oil costs and ongoing terrorism and anti-American sentiment in the Middle East have broadened the audience for the senator's proposals.
Al Gore, the former vice president who himself lost a presidential bid in 2000, recently unveiled a movie about global warming, while a panel of scientists said last week global warming is now an undeniable scientific phenomenon.
Bush unveiled an energy plan this year that calls for increased use of renewable energy sources. In his State of the Union speech, the president accused Americans of being "addicted to oil." Prospects for any individual bill remain uncertain, though members of Congress expect some broad action in response to record gasoline prices.
In addition to reducing oil use through expanded availability of ethanol and hybrid vehicles, as well as increasing automobile fuel-economy standards, Kerry pledged to lead an unprecedented focus on global warming.
The plan will call for an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reverse greenhouse emissions growth by 2010, as well as a program aimed at lowering emissions by 2050 to 65 percent below what they were in the year 2000.
"My plan will provide the tools to help the economy transition to new, clean energy technologies, protect workers and affected communities, and protect companies and consumers from energy cost shocks," the text said.
It added: "I believe that if Al Gore had a vote in the United States Senate, it's what he would vote for." |
