Hillary Rodham Clinton: A Road Map On Energy Policies

This is a reprint of a letter I sent to Hilary Clinton after she declared her candidacy.   

The presidential race for 2008 is presently in its infancy as we see many new candidates and some retreads announcing their intentions. For the most part, the early days are filled with sound bites, present administration criticism and generalized agendas. Like the smiling potential Miss America contestants announcing their world peace agendas to the judges, they take the center stage with a talking head and proclaim their qualifications. Generalities, for the most part, are a good thing for our 30-second attention span, but as the trail narrows and the dust begins to fly, some people will actually demand some specific details on issues they warrant as important. Energy will be high on my list.

In the past, you have taken the middle road, touting a balanced energy policy that will lead us closer to energy independence while at the same time protecting our air quality. Your husband's administration took the middle road but did fire a few shots across the bow of some behemoth utility companies burning coal.

Presently, your press releases have begun to mirror popular opinion and stately newspaper headlines. You want cleaner, reliable, renewable energy that includes cleaner coal, hydrogen fuel cells, and responsible recovery of oil and gas resources that do not include the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. You are for improving our national electric transmission grid, (no more New York blackout babies), and research to improve energy efficient technologies. With the news release of Exxon Mobil's earnings report, you stated that tax breaks for big oil should be eliminated and use the money to create a "Strategic Energy Fund". Inline with the UN's findings on Global Warming, you state, "Unless we act to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, the planet will continue to warm over the next century". So far, you are looking good on energy, but you need to fine-tune a few areas.

First leg on the map. Criticize President Bush's attempts to weaken portions of the Clean Air Act, reducing targets set forth many years before he came into office. Voice a stronger alignment with Senate Bill 309. This bill amends the Clean Air Act, sets forth a schedule to reduce carbon emissions, and is referred to as the "Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act". This critical evaluation of the Bush administration should not include his perceived alignment with big oil. That attack will get you mired in an issue that never ends, and no one wins. The better maneuver is to face big oil directly with solutions that make everyone win.

Second leg. Without echoing the president's state of the union address, emphasize again your determination to see that we progress towards less dependency on foreign oil. Never use the term "energy independence". We will not be energy independent anytime soon, and if you use that term, you will be judged accordingly. Our goal is to "lessen dependency" on foreign oil. The emphasis here should be on our imports of fuels from areas of the world that are highly unstable. Put the onus overseas, it always works.

Third leg. Renewable, organic energy sources, solar, wind, bio-mass, cellulosic, etc., are great for conversations that everyone agrees with. Do not overdue it. These sources of energy are but a tiny portion of our requirements today. 20 years from now, who knows? Lay a foundation of energy solutions. A portfolio that includes all of the above as well as clean coal, natural gas, domestic oil drilling and nuclear generation. We need this portfolio and your target should be on our ability to do it in an environmentally friendly fashion.

Fourth leg. Your presidency should be known for its determined effort to fund technology that improves our quest for cleaner and more efficient energy. "Cleaner and More Efficient Energy" is a win win term. It includes our efforts to clean up presently polluting sites as well as making sure future sites conform to your policies. It addresses technological research, which someday will make organic energy more viable. Research that cleans our coal. We have more coal than Saudi Arabia has oil and coal is not going away. So lets clean it up.

Home bound.  History should include your energy trinity.

1. Government Mandates such as Senate Bill 309, amending the Clean Air Act. A reduction in carbon emissions will spur technology towards improving energy efficiency and performance. Here, you aim is at air quality. The market is efficient and survival of the species applies to industry as well. Never mandate fuel quantity. The market will react negatively.

2. Government Incentives to seed technological advances in energy production and utilization. 6-7 Billion has been set aside for new nuclear plants but that is down the road. The government needs to follow the venture capital money now.

3. Independent Oversight to monitor energy advancements and to insure that special interests and earmarks are held at bay. Organizations will not suffice. Commissions are needed. When we had a banking crisis in the early 1900's, we set up the Federal Reserve. Well, we have a crisis now.

Good Luck Hillary.  This is but a tiny portion of your burden.