Mike Huckabee For President In 2008

Update: No longer in the race for GOP nomination

Environmental issues (more specifically, climate change) have a real presence in the upcoming presidential election. According to a survey conducted by the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute, 93.1% of respondents said they would be more likely to support a candidate whose platform includes a plan to improve the environment. But where do each of the candidates stand? Because, let's face it...some will be champions for the environment. And others will not be.

Mike Huckabee (R)

Summary: Is unsure about human role in climate change, but believes that the US should pursue energy independence. Believes humans should act as stewards to the environment.

The Candidate Says: "I mean, the honest answer for me, scientifically, is I don't know [if the risks of climate change are overblown].....We all ought to agree that we live on this planet as guests.....I consider myself a conservationist. I think we ought to have some cap and trade. It worked with acid rain. I think it could work with Co2 emissions. I think we ought to be out there talking about ways to reduce energy consumption and waste. And we ought to declare that we will be free of energy consumption in this country within a decade, bold as that is. Frankly, it's a matter of national security to get to the point where we're not dependent upon oil coming from countries who, frankly, aren't very friendly to us." (CBS Evening News, 11 December 2007)

If Elected, The Candidate Would...:

Pursue all avenues of alternative energy: nuclear, wind, solar, hydrogen, clean coal, biodiesel, and biomass
Achieve energy independence by the end of his second term
Support drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

In The Past:

Signed into law the Arkansas Renewable Energy Development Act of 2001, which requires electric utilities to offer net metering for alternative energies, enabling those who generate more electricity than they use to run their electric meters backward
Supported the Southern Governors Association 2001 report on energy policy, which called for conservation, energy efficiency and clean energy policies

Current Status: