Position Paper: Energy and the Environment

Moving America toward a 21st century energy policy based on renewable energy and conservation will enhance national security and promote a healthier environment.

While the modest aim of providing a slight increase in resources for hydrogen fuel cell vehicle research is helpful, it is no substitute for a national commitment to attaining genuine energy independence through new technologies.
America is losing the edge in sustainable energy production to Europe and Japan. Not only will that foul our air, water and lands, it will cost Americans high-wage, high-skill jobs.

The goal should be simple — energy independence in 10 years. If we could put a man on the moon eight years after President Kennedy announced that commitment, surely we can regain our energy independence in ten years with a concerted national effort. The Apollo Project was visionary and daring; it encouraged kids to dream of a better tomorrow. Apollo allowed America to push new frontiers in scientific innovation, and helped us maintain global technological leadership.

To accomplish the goal of energy independence, a Gephardt Administration will launch an "Apollo Project" for energy independence, a long-term project that will develop environmentally smart, renewable energy solutions and establish tangible benchmarks to measure our progress. For example, we can generate at least 10 percent of U.S. energy consumption from renewables by 2010 and 20 percent by 2020.

Attaining energy independence means America should be looking at major boosts in resources for hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. The Apollo Project will include tax credits for American families and businesses to invest in the production and purchase of fuel saving autos.

Attaining energy independence means America should be significantly boosting solar, wind and hydro energy use. The Apollo Project will support government research programs and partnerships to encourage progress on renewables and tax credits to implement the new technologies.

Attaining energy independence means we should be looking creatively at new approaches for increasing fuel economy for conventional vehicles. The Apollo Project will foster partnerships between government, auto companies, workers and environmentalists to arrive at a formula that increases fuel economy now.

And attaining energy independence means the Apollo Project must provide new tax incentives to encourage both commercial and residential conservation.

We can no longer remain mired in policies of the past that reward special interest oil, gas and coal industries. Continued reliance on traditional energy sources will make America more dependent on Middle East oil ten years from now than we are today. A new environmentally sustainable approach to American energy policy will lead us to energy independence.