Sen. Mike Gravel

Sen. Mike Gravel
The Plan: Gravel, unlike other Democrats, doesn't have a comprehensive energy and global warming plan, but he promises to address global warming with a carbon tax, energy efficiency, alternative energy research and international cooperation.
What Sets Him Apart: Gravel would invest in a national electric high-speed rail system.

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Sen. Gravel favors worldwide efforts to control greenhouse gases with a carbon tax.

During his time holding national office, Gravel had a 35 lifetime score on the League of Conservation Voters Scorecard. The Scorecard rates national office holders on a scale of 0 to 100 based on their votes on environmental issues on which LCV has taken a position.

Gravel is the only major party candidate in 2008 who has so far taken no money from the oil and gas industry, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Mike Gravel's Energy and Environmental Platform at a Glance

Mike Gravel has not published a detailed energy policy, but he has said he would impose a carbon tax and work internationally to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

CLIMATE

• Enact a tax on carbon, and encourage all nations to do the same. Pool money internationally to invest in science and engineering related to no-carbon energy sources, especially hydrogen.
• Work with the United Nations to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and its successors, and work with China, India and other industrializing nations to share clean energy technology.

• Invest in liquid fuels from hydrogen and other hydrogen-based energy sources, with the hydrogen-producing plants powered by wind.
• Oppose nuclear power as it exists today, but support development of nuclear fusion.
• Increase energy efficiency standards for appliances and other products.
• Oppose off-shore drilling and fossil fuel exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

• Increase fuel economy of vehicles to 50 mpg within five years.
• Invest in a national high-speed electric rail system.
• Oppose corn-based ethanol.

• Change tax system so that federal revenue comes from sales taxes, not income taxes, with the aim of reducing consumption.
• Renew industry tax that had paid for toxic waste site cleanups when the polluter can not be identified or cannot afford the cleanup.
• Reverse many Bush Administration executive orders and regulations related to the environment.
• Update mining laws so companies pay more royalties for mining public lands and do more to restore the land after completing projects.
• Strengthen Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act in unspecified ways.
• Increase funding for national parks and wildlife refuges.
• Include environmental standards in international trade agreements.

• League of Conservation Voters
• The Heat Is On, a partnership project of the LCV Education Fund
• Grist
• Mike Gravel's Campaign Web site
• Center for Responsive Politics

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