Last time I visited the campaign trail there were something like 17 candidates. At the time reveiwing the candidates Energy Policies, I picked Huckabee on the Republican side of the race because A. He had a reasonably laid out policy (fully half of the Republicans did not mention energy) and B. He called for Energy Independence in 8 years (He was audaciously suggesting He would win a second term as President)

On the Democrat side I liked Richardson for his “No Emmissions Stance” but also because of his experience as Energy Secretary. I found that Obama/Edwards/Kucinich not far behind with different focii. Much has happened since then. Wow is that an understatement or what?!?! If you have been living in a Cave and not as well connected as Bin Laden you know that the field has been wacked down to 2 Republicans and 2 Democrats, so its time to take another look at their Energy Policies.

The big change in that area is with Hillary Clinton. Last time I looked she had a vague paragraph about spending 50 Billion $$’s on Energy Research and Energy Conservation. Now she has an actual policy statement. It looks amazing like Bill Richardson’s.

AS ALWAYS – CES endorses no political candidates, we simply examine their policies.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/energy/

Hillary has a bold and comprehensive plan to address America’s energy and environmental challenges that will establish a green, efficient economy and create as many as five million new jobs.

Centered on a cap and trade system for carbon emissions, stronger energy and auto efficiency standards and a significant increase in green research funding, Hillary’s plan will reduce America’s reliance on foreign oil and address the looming climate crisis.

Setting ambitious targets, the plan would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050 to avoid the worst effects of global warming, and cut foreign oil imports by two-thirds from 2030 projected levels, more than 10 million barrels per day.

Hillary would transform our economy from carbon-based to clean and energy efficient, jumpstarting research and development through a $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund and doubling investment in basic energy research. She would also spur the green building industry by funding the retrofitting and modernization of 20 million low-income homes and take concrete steps to reduce electricity consumption, including enacting strict appliance efficiency standards and phasing out incandescent light bulbs.

Recognizing that transportation accounts for 70 percent of U.S. oil consumption, Hillary would increase fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030, but would help automakers retool their production facilities through $20 billion in “Green Vehicle Bonds.”

To take the steps necessary to transition to a clean and renewable energy future, Hillary will urge all of the nation’s stakeholders to contribute to the effort. Automakers will be asked to make more efficient vehicles; oil and energy companies to invest in cleaner, renewable technologies; utilities to ramp up use of renewables and modernize the grid; coal companies to implement clean coal technology; government to establish a cap and trade carbon emissions system and renew its leadership in energy efficient buildings and services; individuals to conserve energy and utilize efficient light bulbs and appliances in their homes; and industry to build energy efficient homes and buildings.

Hillary’s plan to promote energy independence, address global warming, and transform our economy includes:

• A new cap-and-trade program that auctions 100 percent of permits alongside investments to move us on the path towards energy independence;
• An aggressive comprehensive energy efficiency agenda to reduce electricity consumption 20 percent from projected levels by 2020 by changing the way utilities do business, catalyzing a green building industry, enacting strict appliance efficiency standards, and phasing out incandescent light bulbs;
• A $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund, paid for in part by oil companies, to fund investments in alternative energy. The SEF will finance one-third of the $150 billon ten-year investment in a new energy future contained in this plan;
• Doubling of federal investment in basic energy research, including funding for an ARPA-E, a new research agency modeled on the successful Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
• Aggressive action to transition our economy toward renewable energy sources, with renewables generating 25 percent of electricity by 2025 and with 60 billion gallons of home-grown biofuels available for cars and trucks by 2030;
• 10 “Smart Grid City” partnerships to prove the advanced capabilities of smart grid and other advanced demand-reduction technologies, as well as new investment in plug-in hybrid vehicle technologies;
• An increase in fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030, and $20 billion of “Green Vehicle Bonds” to help U.S. automakers retool their plants to meet the standards;
• A plan to catalyze a thriving green building industry by investing in green collar jobs and helping to modernize and retrofit 20 million low-income homes to make them more energy efficient;
• A new “Connie Mae” program to make it easier for low and middle-income Americans to buy green homes and invest in green home improvements;
• A requirement that all publicly traded companies report financial risks due to climate change in annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and
• Creation of a “National Energy Council” within the White House to ensure implementation of the plan across the Executive Branch.
• A requirement that all federal buildings designed after January 20, 2009 will be zero emissions buildings.

Community Energy Systems as represented by this blogger does not particularly care for the Cap and Trade proposals because in means the Energy Community in the US, which has burned and fiddled, as the rest of the World progressed will continue to do so as long they are allowed. It is nice to see that Senator Clinton has decided to get in the game. It’s nice to see that she wants the large Energy Companies to help pay for the shift to a noncarbon economy. I think that they should pay for the whole thing beginning with a requirement that their tear out all of their Gas Stations and close all their Coal Mines. That is probably too radical for her though.