Candidates on the Issues: Energy [View All]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-3804792,00.html

The Associated Press chooses an issue three times a week and asks the presidential candidates a question about it.

ENERGY: Do you support increased U.S. drilling for oil and natural gas as part of your plan to bring the United States closer to energy self-sufficiency?

Democrats:

Sen. John Edwards: ``The first step to achieving energy independence is improving our fuel efficiency and using more homegrown renewable fuel. Beyond that, tapping more domestic fuel reserves, particularly natural gas, is an important step. We should obtain these reserves in a way that is sensitive to our environment, especially our greatest natural treasures. I will never drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and I will continue the moratorium on new drilling leases off our coasts.''

Sen. John Kerry: No response.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich: ``I strongly oppose any increase in drilling for oil and natural gas. I do not believe these bring us closer to energy self-sufficiency. In fact, I believe that our current administration's steadfast reliance on fossil fuels does nothing except drive this country further into an energy debt. What we need to do is vigorously pursue so-called ``alternative'' energy sources-hydrogen, solar, wind, ocean, geothermal, and others we've not yet discovered. These are the energy sources of the future. Not only will these wean us from dwindling fossil fuel supplies, they will also reduce the extent to which Middle Eastern oil fields loom as potential strategic or military targets.''

Al Sharpton: No response.


Republican:

President Bush: No response.