Here in the United States we will of course be electing a new president in November of 2008, the first time since 1952 that no sitting president or vice president is in the race. I’ve compiled a list of the candidates from both major political parties, their stated energy policies, and the amount of financial contributions that their campaigns have received from the oil and gas industries. The candidates are listed in order of industry money received.

Rudolph W. Giuliani (R)

From JoinRudy 2008:

Every potential solution must be pursued - from nuclear power to increased energy exploration to more aggressive investment in alternative energy sources. I believe that America can achieve energy independence through a national strategy that emphasizes diversification, innovation, and conservation.

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $545,058

Mitt Romney (R)

From Mitt Romney for President 2008:

We must become independent from foreign sources of oil. This will mean a combination of efforts related to conservation and efficiency measures, developing alternative sources of energy like biodiesel, ethanol, nuclear, and coal gasification, and finding more domestic sources of oil such as in ANWR or the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $309,933

Hillary Clinton (D)

From HillaryClinton.com:

Recognizing that transportation accounts for 70 percent of U.S. oil consumption, Hillary would increase fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030, but would help automakers retool their production facilities through $20 billion in “Green Vehicle Bonds.”

To take the steps necessary to transition to a clean and renewable energy future, Hillary will urge all of the nation’s stakeholders to contribute to the effort. Automakers will be asked to make more efficient vehicles; oil and energy companies to invest in cleaner, renewable technologies; utilities to ramp up use of renewables and modernize the grid; coal companies to implement clean coal technology; government to establish a cap and trade carbon emissions system and renew its leadership in energy efficient buildings and services; individuals to conserve energy and utilize efficient light bulbs and appliances in their homes; and industry to build energy efficient homes and buildings.

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $220,550

John McCain (R)

From John McCain 2008:

As John McCain said, “Americans solve problems. We don’t run from them.” He believes that ignoring the problem reflects a “liberal live for today” attitude unworthy of our great country, and poses a serious and unacceptable threat to our environment, our economy, and U.S. national security. He has offered common sense approaches to limit carbon emissions by harnessing market forces that will bring advanced technologies, such as nuclear energy, to the market faster, reduce our dependence on foreign supplies of energy, and see to it that America leads in a way that ensures all nations do their rightful share.

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $189,935

Bill Richardson (D)

From Bill Richardson for President:

I know people love to hate the oil companies. They have been raking in huge profits. But I want to invite them to become energy companies, and invest in our thriving new energy economy. They are invited to the table, but they aren’t going to run the table the way they have for the last six years.

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $126,600

Fred Thompson (R)

From Fred ‘08:

The energy challenges our nation faces today are real and significant. Our dependence on foreign sources of oil threatens our national security and puts our economic prosperity at risk. America must rise to the challenge and take the steps necessary to become more energy independent before this becomes a crisis. No one solution will solve the energy challenges we face; all ideas must be on the table. Greater energy security will enhance our ability to pursue our foreign policy and national security objectives. Increasing our energy independence and investing in alternative energy sources will also produce a healthier environment. And while we don’t know for certain how or why climate change is occurring, it makes sense to take reasonable steps to reduce CO2 emissions without harming our economy.

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $112,650

Barack Obama (D)

From BarackObama.com:

The issue of climate change is one that we ignore at our own peril. There may still be disputes about exactly how much is naturally occurring, but what we can be scientifically certain of is that our continued use of fossil fuels is pushing us to a point of no return. And unless we free ourselves from a dependence on these fossil fuels and chart a new course on energy in this country, we are condemning future generations to global catastrophe.

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $106,112

Christopher Dodd (D)

From Chris Dodd for President:

With a Corporate Carbon Tax that makes polluters pay to his call for historic fuel efficiency standards that break America’s dependence on Middle East oil by 2015, Chris Dodd is the only candidate in the field with a plan to make America the world leader on climate change and bring energy costs down for families and businesses.

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $38,550

Ron Paul (R)

From Ron Paul 2008:

The federal government has proven itself untrustworthy with environmental policy by facilitating polluters, subsidizing logging in the National Forests, and instituting one-size-fits-all approaches that too often discriminate against those they are intended to help.

The key to sound environmental policy is respect for private property rights. The strict enforcement of property rights corrects environmental wrongs while increasing the cost of polluting.

In a free market, no one is allowed to pollute his neighbor’s land, air, or water. If your property is being damaged, you have every right to sue the polluter, and government should protect that right. After paying damages, the polluter’s production and sale costs rise, making it unprofitable to continue doing business the same way. Currently, preemptive regulations and pay-to-pollute schemes favor those wealthy enough to perform the regulatory tap dance, while those who own the polluted land rarely receive a quick or just resolution to their problems.

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $34,102

John Edwards (D)

From John Edwards for President:

“Our generation must be the one that says, ‘we must halt global warming,’” said Edwards. “If we don’t act now, it will be too late. Our generation must be the one that says ‘yes’ to alternative, renewable fuels and ends forever our dependence on foreign oil. Our generation must be the one that accepts responsibility for conserving natural resources and demands the tools to do it. And our generation must be the one that builds the New Energy Economy. It won’t be easy, but it is time to ask the American people to be patriotic about something other than war.”

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $27,850

Mike Huckabee (R)

From Mike Huckabee for President:

We have to explore, we have to conserve, and we have to pursue all avenues of alternative energy: nuclear, wind, solar, hydrogen, clean coal, biodiesel, and biomass. Some will come from our farms and some will come from our laboratories. Dwindling supplies and increasing demand from newly-industrialized countries of fossil fuels are driving up prices. These price increases will facilitate innovation and the opportunity for independence. We will remove red tape that slows innovation. We will set aside a federal research and development budget that will be matched by the private sector to seek the best new products in alternative fuels. Our free market will sort out what makes the most sense economically and will reward consumer preferences.

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $18,450

Joe Biden (D)

From Joe Biden for President:

There is no question our oil dependence is threatening our national security. It helps fuel the fundamentalism we’re fighting. Our oil dependence limits our options and our influence around the world, because oil rich countries pursuing policies we oppose can stand up to us, while oil dependent allies may be afraid to stand with us. If we don’t change our policy, oil will further empower the countries that produce it, restrict our options, and undermine our economic and physical security.

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $16,650

Tom Tancredo (R)

No mention of energy policy found.

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $6,450

Mike Gravel (D)

From Mike Gravel for President 2008:

Senator Gravel believes that global climate change is a matter of national security and survivability of the planet. As President, he will act swiftly to reduce America’s carbon footprint in the world by initiating legislation to tax carbon at the source and cap carbon emissions. He will also initiate a massive scientific effort, integrating the world’s scientific and engineering community, to end energy dependence on oil and integrate the world’s scientific community in this task.

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $2,000

Duncan Hunter (R)

No mention of energy policy found.

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $1,800

Dennis Kucinich (D)

From dennis4president.com:

Oil is also an immense sustainability issue. With the peak of U.S. oil production some decades in the past and the world facing inevitable shortages in the near future, a continuation of our present energy policies is a prescription for unending conflicts. […]

The United States under a Kucinich presidency would reverse the unsustainable actions in the following areas:

  1. Energy consumption
  2. Military spending
  3. Economic and tax policy
  4. Environmental policy
  5. Land and water use

Contributions from the oil and gas industries as of 10/29/07: $700

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