From Guest Blogger Jess Greenberg: Obama's and Romney's Energy Policies – A Deeper Look

With the Presidential elections just around the corner, a lot of people are still undecided between President Obama and Mitt Romney. But if one were to ask which factor would undoubtedly become the deciding factor, I feel that it is their energy policies that should be considered with utmost concern. It is a known fact that with the rapid decline of fossil fuels and the intrigue behind hydraulic fracking, everyone wants to know what these two individuals’ energy plans are should one of them be elected for the highest position in the United States government. Being a citizen of this great nation, I feel that everyone should be entitled to know what their individual policies are in relation to our nation’s energy crisis.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at what President Obama and Mitt Romney has to say when it comes to our nation’s energy situation. I only took some of the most important policies which I feel are very controversial, so please share your thoughts on these policies as well!

Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney argues that there should be a “North American energy independence” and is pushing for increased energy imports for Canada and more output from the U.S. His plans include stripping the Environmental Protection Agency of its power to regulate carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a potential alternative energy solution which requires a power plant that will extract the said element and turn it into power. However, the E.P.A has not yet exercised it’s power to regulate carbon dioxide, which happens to be labeled as a “greenhouse gas” by the Supreme Court due to the agency’s Clean Air Act.

Asides from E.P.A, Romney also plans of stripping the Interior Department of its responsibility of leasing and giving permits for drilling on federal lands and waters. Apparently, this ability will be given to the States, citing that the issuing of permits will be more effective, thus giving more energy companies the ability to drill for natural gas as soon as possible. Mitt Romney believes that natural energy is the key to solving the country’s energy crisis.

Other important energy policies include eliminating production tax credit for wind projects, keeping tax breaks and tax incentives for oil and gas drilling. It is interesting to note that the amount of tax breaks and tax incentives amount to $4 billion per year. Mitt Romney has also proposed in the removal of obstacles and EPA regulations that hinders the development of coal, which is another alternate yet questionable source of energy.

President Barack Obama

President Obama’s energy policies presents a “win-win” strategy and he clearly wants the United States to reduce it’s need for foreign oil. Well, if there’s one thing that both candidates have in similar with these energy policies, they are both aimed for the development of natural gas, since Obama says that “the US has a hundred years worth of natural gas”. He’s planning on raising federal standards for fuel efficient cars and trucks, something that Romney is opposed to. His energy policies include letting the EPA keep its ability to regulate carbon dioxide emissions (something that is totally useless, since EPA has not exercised this power yet ), reducing the emissions of greenhouse gas because of fossil fuels, and maintaining the incentives for renewable energy.

Opposite of Romney’s plan of keeping the tax breaks, President Obama will eliminate the $4 billion oil and gas tax breaks once he gets re-elected. With the hydraulic fracturing issue, the President says he approves hydraulic fracturing but with federal safety standards in tow. He will let EPA keep this responsibility while Romney favors the states regulating hydraulic fracking.

My Opinion:

Some of their policies are definitely similar (hydraulic fracturing and natural gas) but I have to say that as a supporter of alternative energy and clean energy efficiency, President Barack Obama’s policies may seem superior compared to Mitt Romney’s policies. But then again, I will have to wonder if any of these policies would actually take effect if any of these two would win the elections.

That is something that I will have to see once the election is done.

About the Author:

Jessica Greenberg is an experienced blogger/alternate energy researcher from San Diego, California. She spends most of her time writing and surfing the Internet for forums and discussions about alternate energy,