The candidates also agreed that the country must work toward energy independence, with Coleman citing wind-power tax credits and other initiatives he helped pass in Congress, and Franken and
Barkley criticizing him for voting for a bill that included tax credits for oil companies.
Turning to Coleman, Franken said: “There was no reason to do that to get wind credits unless you had senators who took money from big oil companies.”
Source: 2008 MN Senate Debate reported in Star Tribune
Oct 17, 2008
Supports cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gases
Q: Do you support caps on greenhouse gas emissions?
A: Yes. Setting up a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gases is a crucial step we need to reduce the overall level of emissions. As a senator, I will fight for legislation to put these limits in
place. Conservation, renewable sources of energy, and the development of new green technologies will also be vital. Minnesota businesses are leading the world in renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, and creating jobs in the process.
Source: Citizens for Global Solutions: 2008 Senate questionnaire
Sep 9, 2008
US failed to lead by refusing to sign onto the Kyoto accords
Q: Do you support U.S. participation in binding international climate agreements?
A: Yes. It is an absolute scandal that we have failed to lead on this issue by refusing to sign onto the Kyoto accords.
We have to lead going forward--and we have to make sure we bring China and India with us. Domestic limits on carbon emissions would be a step toward the US doing our part to halt and reverse global warming.
We also need a successor agreement to Kyoto in which all of the industrial powers commit to taking action. But we can’t postpone US action until such an international accord is reached.
At the same time as we’re working with others to set the agenda for negotiations, we need to take our own urgent steps.
US failed to lead by refusing to sign onto the Kyoto accords
We also need a successor agreement to Kyoto in which all of the industrial powers commit to taking action. But we can’t postpone US action until such an international accord is reached.
At the same time as we’re working with others to set the agenda for negotiations, we need to take our own urgent steps.
Source: Citizens for Global Solutions: 2008 Senate questionnaire
Sep 9, 2008
Investing in renewable energy is win-win-win-win-win
Investing in renewable energy is win-win-win-win-win. It’ll pay off in so many ways:
We’ll dramatically improve our environment.
We’ll finally be taking steps to address global warming.
We’ll make our nation more secure and less dependent
on an uncertain global fuel economy.
We’ll revitalize our manufacturing sector. We should be making wind turbines, and we should be putting them up all over Minnesota.
We’ll create high-tech, high-paying jobs in conservation and R&D.
Source: Campaign website, www.alfranken.com, “Issues”
Mar 9, 2008
Apollo project for renewable energy development
We need a new “Apollo project”--this time to fundamentally change our energy policy and end our reliance on foreign oil. This “Apollo project” should provide financial support for research into new forms of renewable energy and development of
currently-identified sources to make them more efficient. Of course I’m talking about corn ethanol. But I’m also talking about cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels. I’m talking about solar power. And I’m talking about wind power. We live in a windy stat
Source: Campaign website, www.alfranken.com, “Issues”
Mar 9, 2008
