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There seems to be a theme that Obama has started some crazy new set of ideas on green and clean energy initiatives. Problem for most Republicans is that they sat by quietly or even cheered George Bush when he pushed the same ideas. Obama's current rhetoric and ideas were pushed and heavily supported by Republicans when they were in charge, now they all speak of them with disgust.
Consider the following:
Quote:
George Bush 2006 SOTU:
“Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy. And here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world. The best way to break this addiction is through technology. Since 2001, we have spent nearly $10 billion to develop cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable alternative energy sources -- and we are on the threshold of incredible advances.”
In his 2006 State of the Union Address, President Bush announced the Advanced Energy Initiative and proposed a 22 percent increase in funding for clean energy technology research at the Department of Energy. The Initiative supports new transportation and power technologies that will help achieve significant reductions of oil imports, lead to substantial reductions in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and increase economic and energy security. We will change how we power our homes and offices by increasing investments in zero-emission coal-fired plants, revolutionary solar and wind technologies, and clean, safe nuclear energy. We will also change how we power our cars by improving batteries for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, making cellulosic ethanol cost-competitive with corn-based ethanol by 2012, and by accelerating the development of zero-emission cars that run on hydrogen.
Also, the Republicans controlled the House, Senate, and Executive branch when the Energy Policy Act of 2005 sailed through with heavy Republican support, with the Senate approving it 75-24. This bill did some of the things that Republicans rail against now:
it prohibits the manufacture and importation of mercury-vapor lamp ballasts after January 1, 2008
it prohibits drilling for gas or oil in or underneath the Great Lakes;
it authorizes subsidies for wind and other alternative energy producers;
authorizes loan guarantees for innovative technologies that avoid greenhouse gases
Then there was the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 which sailed through with even more Republican support than the 2005 bill (86-8 passage in the senate, 314-100 passage in the house, and Bush signed it into law immediately. This bill did the following:
Effectively banned incandescent bulbs by mandating a 25% increase in light bulb efficiency
Increased CAFE standards. Automakers are required to boost fleetwide gas mileage to 35 mpg by 2020
Establishes subsidies for fleet buying of heavy-duty hybrid vehicles
Expanded federal research on carbon sequestration technologies
So with all the hatred of green and clean energy being spouted by the right, why now? Is it because Rush, Hannity and company were silent while Bush did it (or lied about it being all Pelosi and Reid's fault despite heavy Republican support and no veto by Bush) Is it because Obama is a Democrat, not a Republican? Or is it because the average Republican either never heard much about it or even thought it was a good idea until Obama was elected?
Giving the Fed agencies additional money for research is not the same as handing out billions to private companies that have no track record and then watch them go belly up and your money gone.
Agreed, and the OP missed the fact that setting standards isnt the same as funding companies that have to comply with them. The federal government is well within its legal authority to set laws, they are not authorized to risk taxpayer money to fund special companies at the expense of others.
There seems to be a theme that Obama has started some crazy new set of ideas on green and clean energy initiatives. Problem for most Republicans is that they sat by quietly or even cheered George Bush when he pushed the same ideas. Obama's current rhetoric and ideas were pushed and heavily supported by Republicans when they were in charge, now they all speak of them with disgust.
Consider the following:
Also, the Republicans controlled the House, Senate, and Executive branch when the Energy Policy Act of 2005 sailed through with heavy Republican support, with the Senate approving it 75-24. This bill did some of the things that Republicans rail against now:
it prohibits the manufacture and importation of mercury-vapor lamp ballasts after January 1, 2008
it prohibits drilling for gas or oil in or underneath the Great Lakes;
it authorizes subsidies for wind and other alternative energy producers;
authorizes loan guarantees for innovative technologies that avoid greenhouse gases
Then there was the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 which sailed through with even more Republican support than the 2005 bill (86-8 passage in the senate, 314-100 passage in the house, and Bush signed it into law immediately. This bill did the following:
Effectively banned incandescent bulbs by mandating a 25% increase in light bulb efficiency
Increased CAFE standards. Automakers are required to boost fleetwide gas mileage to 35 mpg by 2020
Establishes subsidies for fleet buying of heavy-duty hybrid vehicles
Expanded federal research on carbon sequestration technologies
So with all the hatred of green and clean energy being spouted by the right, why now? Is it because Rush, Hannity and company were silent while Bush did it (or lied about it being all Pelosi and Reid's fault despite heavy Republican support and no veto by Bush) Is it because Obama is a Democrat, not a Republican? Or is it because the average Republican either never heard much about it or even thought it was a good idea until Obama was elected?
we are not the ones that are misinform, some people choose to believe Obama's lie. without questions!
This isn't about Solyndra. It is about government energy regulations and mandates. Like the push for hybrids, higher CAFE standards, etc.
Point being that Obama hasn't been any greener in agenda than Bush, he has actually just continued Bush/Republican policies.
This isn't about Solyndra. It is about government energy regulations and mandates. Like the push for hybrids, higher CAFE standards, etc.
Point being that Obama hasn't been any greener in agenda than Bush, he has actually just continued Bush/Republican policies.
If you listened to conservative talk radio shows while GW was in office you would have heard many callers and host being critical of GW on many issues. The average non-insider conservatives were against some of GW and establishment GOP decisions. It was during this time that GW was working with Ted Kennedy and other Democrats even though they were publically bashing him daily on TV.
OP: Can you please provide something outlining GWB's cap & trade policy where energy prices must "neccessarily go up"? Which coal plants did GWB drive out of business? Links to legit sources would be good.....
Thanks
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