Update: Mitt Romney dropped out of the presidential race on Feb. 7, 2008.
Key PointsRepublican presidential candidate Mitt Romney isn’t convinced humans are a big contributor to climate change, but he supports efforts that would cut greenhouse-gas emissions while pushing America toward energy independence. As governor of Massachusetts from January 2003 to January 2007, he got off to a promising start on a green issues, but then repeatedly angered the state’s environmental community [PDF].
- Acknowledges that climate change seems to be happening, but says it’s unclear how much humans have contributed to the problem. Calls for policies that would boost energy independence and, as a byproduct, cut greenhouse-gas emissions.
- Says any international climate treaty would have to see all nations cutting emissions, unlike the Kyoto Protocol.
- Supports coal-to-liquid technology and calls it “clean.” Ditto with coal gasification.
- Supports expansion of nuclear power.
- Supports increased oil drilling offshore in U.S. waters.
- Supports oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
- Calls for more ethanol, biodiesel, and other biofuels.
- Calls for more energy efficiency and conservation.
Video & Audio
Watch Romney talk about energy independence and climate change on CNBC on Feb. 8, 2007:
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Watch Romney answer a question about mandatory caps on carbon emissions at a town hall meeting in Iowa on May 31, 2007:
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