Barack Obama’s, John McCain’s energy policies leave Americans wanting

Ostensibly, presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama have very different approaches to America’s energy problems. But when some experts look at them, they see the same thing: Timidity.

“We need to get away from looking for a silver bullet,” says Paul Linzmeyer, a partner in Innovation for Sustainable Organizations, an energy consulting firm based in Appleton. “There is none.


McCain, the Republican candidate, proposes to expand domestic oil exploration and natural gas production. He would also invest in clean coal technologies and nuclear power and stimulate the markets for wind, solar and hydroelectric power.

Obama, the Democratic candidate, seeks to rely heavily on renewable energy of various types to replace imported oil and coal-generated electricity. To reduce consumption, he proposes raising gas mileage standards for vehicles and offering incentives to people who buy extremely fuel-efficient cars and trucks.

Neither gets at what Linzmeyer believes is the real problem with energy in America: Americans.

“I think at the end of the day if you look at the financial crisis we have right now, it’s all about over-consumption, all about spending beyond our means,” he said, remembering President Bush’s post-Sept. 11 suggestion that Americans go shopping.

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