News analysis: Hillary Clinton energy policies

Senator Hillary Clinton trails significantly in the primary popular vote and delegate count, but it has been pointed out repeatedly that 800 unelected “super-delegates” will make the decision at the Democratic convention, owing to the closeness of the race.

The super-delegates will be looking at “who can win”, and Sen. Clinton does lead in one statistical category: Electoral College votes. Sen. Clinton has, to date, won 16 primaries and caucuses representing 274 electoral votes this November under the “winner take all” system used in the US presidential election. Sen. Obama has won 28 states that represent 218 electoral votes. 48 votes are still at stake in six more primary and caucus contests.
Proposed Clinton Administration policies on energy are:

• 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 billion 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.

In endorsing cap-and-trade, Clinton is in agreement with Senators Obama and McCain, although implementation details may differ. Senators Clinton and Obama agree on a 10-year, $150 billion  fund for alternative energy research. Senator Clinton calls for 55 MPG Cafe standards by 2030, compared to “doubling by 2026″ for Senator Obama. The National Energy Council is unique to the Clinton campaign, but the Obama campaign is more agressive on a global front, calling for a Global Energy Forum including the G-8, China, Mexico, India, Brazil and South Africa.

The Obama campaign calls for the increase in the Renewable Fuel Standard to 60 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol by 2030, a mandatory 10 percent reduction in low-carbon petroleum fuels, and increased incentives for local investment in biofuels plants.

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