Words: Biden advocates a variety of conservation measures including mandatory flex-fuel automobiles and efficient air conditioning standards. He opposes drilling in ANWR and supports funding for exploring new energy sources including biodiesel fuels. He also supports creating a new treaty requiring emission reductions and a “cap and trade” system. He proposes raising fuel standards by 4% per annum to reach 40 mpg by 2017 and that all new vehicles run on flex fuel. He feels a minimum of 20% of our electricity should come from renewable sources.

Actions: Biden voted AGAINST approving a nuclear waste repository (1997), AGAINST defunding renewable and solar energy (1999), AGAINST ending discussion of CAFE fuel efficiency standards (1999), AGAINST oil drilling in ANWR (2000 & 2002), AGAINST terminating CAFE standards within 15 months (2002), FOR targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010 (2003), FOR the Bush administration’s energy policy (2003), FOR banning drilling in ANWR (2005), FOR reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (2005), FOR factoring global warming into federal project planning (2007), and FOR removing oil & gas exploration subsidies (2007). The Campaign for America’s Future has given Biden a rating of 83%.

More about: Energy Policy, Joe Biden.