In a bid to shed his image of being too inexperienced to be president, Democrat Senator Barack Obama has announced a number of plans of far-reaching consequences, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as American dependence on foreign oil.
Mr Obama said his agenda would be to develop new energy sources and reduce dependence on foreign oil by 35 per cent by the year 2030, The Guardian newspaper reported.
'As president, I will set a hard cap on all carbon emissions at a level that scientists say is necessary to curb global warming, an 80 per cent reduction by 2050,' he promised.
Mr Obama was speaking on Monday at the new Portsmouth Public Library, where about 100 invited guests watched a short video featuring every president since Gerald Ford promising to curb the use of fossil fuels - contrasted with a graphic illustrating America's increasing dependence on foreign oil.
'Our energy problem has become an energy crisis because no matter how well-intentioned the promise, no matter how bold the proposal, they all fall victim to the same Washington politics,' he said.
Mr Obama had earlier faced criticism from some environmental groups for supporting the Bush administration's energy bill in 2005 and for pushing legislation to help Illinois' coal industry.
Now, working to overcome suggestions that he lacks experience to be president, he said those with long Washington careers have failed to act on issues such as higher fuel economy standards for cars and trucks.
'When they had the chance to stand up and require automakers to raise their fuel standards, they refused. When they had multiple chances to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by investing in renewable fuels that we can literally grow right here in America, they said no,' he said.
He proposed a modified 'cap and trade' approach to reduce emissions, requiring businesses to buy allowances if they pollute, creating an incentive to reduce energy usage.
'No business will be allowed to emit any greenhouse gases for free,' he said.
'Businesses don't own the sky, the public does, and if we want them to stop polluting it, we have to put a price on all pollution.'
On energy, he proposed using US$150 billion (S$220 billion) from the sale of allowances to stimulate climate-friendly energy and economic development.
Included would be developing the next generation of bio-fuels and fuel delivery infrastructure, accelerating commercial production of plug-in hybrid vehicles, promoting larger-scale renewable energy projects and low-emission coal plants, and making the electricity grid digital.
He also called for making government, businesses and homes 50 per cent more energy-efficient by 2030, with all federal government buildings carbon-neutral by 2025. Incandescent light bulbs would be phased out by 2014, a measure Mr Obama estimates would save consumers US$6 billion a year on their electricity bills.
Mr Gene Karpinski, president of the League of Conservation Voters, welcomed his initiative and said: 'The Obama energy plan would provide incentives to cut production of carbon dioxide and other pollutants that cause global warming.'
ASSOCIATED PRESS
What he will do as president
MR BARACK Obama's proposals include:
Requiring businesses to buy allowances if they pollute;
Using US$150 billion from the sale of allowances to stimulate climate- friendly energy and economic development;
Making government, businesses and homes 50 per cent more energy efficient by 2030, with all federal government buildings carbon-neutral by 2025.
