Mitt Romney 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.

Mitt Romney (R)

Summary: Acknowledges climate change is occuring but does know to what degree humans are involved. Supports energy independence. Believes US should act to reduce greenhouse gases only if other nations commit to do the same.

The Candidate Says: "We're sure going to have to find a way to reduce our use of energy, particularly foreign energy. There are a lot of people who are concerned about global warming. I think we're probably experiencing a change in our climate. Human activity may well be contributing to it. I think it probably is. What I don't know is how much of the change is due to human activity, and what actions we could take to change the trajectory of ... the global climate changes we're seeing. And that's why I adopt what I call 'no regrets' policies, policies that will allow us to become energy independent, and will have as one of their byproducts a reduction of the CO2 that we emit, the greenhouse gases that we emit." (Town Hall Meeting in Iowa, 31 May 2007)

If Elected, The Candidate Would...:

Support development of nuclear power
Support oil drilling and exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Support alternative fuels, such as biodiesel and ethanol

In The Past:

Opposed the Cape Wind project, which would have developed an offshore windfarm off Nantucket Sound in Massachusetts
Proposed a Climate Protection Plan for Massachusetts in 2004, which said the state must consider the impact on greenhouse gases when state regulators evaluate highway projects and other public construction plans (the state never implemented the provisions)
Backed out of regional pact to curb carbon dioxide emissions from power plants

Current Status: