Kerry Promotes Energy Plan in Ore., Wash

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4130441,00.html

Kerry Promotes Energy Plan in Ore., Wash.

Tuesday May 25, 2004 1:01 PM


By NEDRA PICKLER

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is tapping voter angst over rising gas prices to promote his energy plan during a two-day swing through the Pacific Northwest. <snip>

Kerry says he would spend $10 billion over 10 years on new plants to manufacture more fuel efficient vehicles. He also would offer up to a $4,000 tax credit for people who buy advanced technology vehicles that get better gas mileage.

Kerry also wants to divert oil being used to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in the short term and bring it to market to bring down prices. And he says his administration would demand that other oil-producing nations increase supply.

Bush emphasizes increased drilling for domestic oil and gas to help wean the country from reliance on foreign energy sources and has proposed billions of dollars in tax incentives to accelerate the development of hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles. Elements of Bush's energy plan are pending in Congress.

The president also supports opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling; Kerry opposes that. <snip>