Thus, I am going to offer some quick highlights from the plan (most of which are taken directly from her press release), and encourage you to check it out yourself at marthacoakley.com.
In the plan:
--Coakley outlines her work in the AG's office as the Ratepayer Advocate, "working to protect consumers and keep energy prices down. She claims to have worked to increase the use of energy efficiency and renewable energy in Mass., and partnered with the Patrick administration to establish the "most aggressive energy efficiency plans in the nation."
--The AG says she has "saved Massachusetts ratepayers over $100 million" by opposing multiple rate increases by energy companies the state.
--In outlining her support for cap-and-trade policies, Coakley notes that she supported the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the first mandatory, market-based effort in to the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (She also offers a quick explanation of cap-and-trade: "an approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollution." Or as Scott Brown refers to it, a giant new tax.)
Then she gets into the nitty-gritty of her plan, and this part I am taking straight out of the release because the actual plan is detailed and contextual:
--Implementing a national cap-and-trade program: Pointing to the success of the RGGI, Coakley calls for a national cap-and-trade program, which offers a practical way to significantly curtail greenhouse gas emissions and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
--Increasing energy efficiency: Noting that investments in cost-effective energy efficiency represent the quickest and least expensive way to mitigate our country’s growing energy demand, Coakley urges investments including smart meters and incentives for direct demand reduction/response programs and technology. Coakley also calls for stronger energy efficiency requirements for building codes, appliances, and industrial and commercial heating and cooling equipment.
--Expanding use of renewables: Stressing America’s need to wean itself off of foreign fossil fuels, Coakley supports the establishment of a National Renewable Portfolio Standard that would mandate electricity providers to purchase a percentage of electricity from renewable sources. She also supports the construction of offshore wind facilities including Cape Wind.
--Improving our Electricity Transmission Grid: Reminding that our electric transmission system is the backbone of our energy infrastructure, Coakley urges a transparent, interregional approach to investment in projects that improve transmission reliability.
--Encouraging cleaner transportation: Citing America’s driving needs as a cause of our oil addiction, Coakley pushes for more advanced energy efficiency technology for vehicles, new energy sources that cleanly and cost-effectively replace petroleum, and the extension of tax incentives for the purchase of hybrid and plug-in vehicles. Coakley also supports investments in improved public transportation and requirements for the federal government to reduce its own carbon footprint through the procurement of energy efficient hybrid and plug-in vehicles.
--Increasing low-income assistance: Cautioning that the federal Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is an essential lifeline for many, especially seniors, Coakley proposes indexing available funding for LIHEAP to energy costs. Coakley also calls for extending existing federal weatherization and energy efficient mortgage programs.
I doubt that energy will play a major role in deciding this election, but it's still good to know that the candidates have developed approaches and plans for dealing with this issue.
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