True Democrat for President Energy Plan

[True Democrat]

One of the largest problems facing our nation is our reliance on foreign oil.  Because of our dependence, we must support governments who do not always support Atlasia’s goals, including ending terrorism.  Many nations we import oil from, including Venezuela, are becoming increasing hostile to Atlasia.  Our oil imports could be threatened in the near future.  Furthermore, our trade deficit is driven up by the fact that we have to buy billions of gallons of oil each year from foreign nations, while exporting nearly nothing in return.  As of 2003, we import 56.1% of all crude oil.  This is unacceptable.  But, there is a way out: ethanol.

Recently, science has harnessed and made efficient numerous alternative energy sources, including hydrogen, solar power, wind power, and ethanol.  Of all of these, ethanol holds the most promise.  Solar and wind power do not produce enough oil to run cars in this nations, and hydrogen-powered cars could be twenty years away.  Furthermore, it would take natural gas to actually pump the hydrogen into the cars.  For these reasons, ethanol is the best option for reducing our energy dependence.

In order to increase ethanol production in order to meet our energy demands, Atlasia must take a couple of steps:
     1. Encourage farmers to grow sugar beets, sorghum, switch grass,
         barley, hemp, potatoes, cassava, sunflowers, corn, and other
         cellulose plants through tax breaks for farmers who grow these
         plants.  The focus should be plants such as switch grass and other
         stalky plants, as plants such as corn actually require oil in the process
         of creating ethanol.
     2. Work with car companies, both foreign and domestic, to produce
         engines that run on both gasoline and ethanol (as Brazil has).
         Although some standards will be necessary by law, asking the car
         manufacturers to cooperate is always the best plan.
     3. Set up ethanol refineries all across Atlasia in order to process the
         plants into fuel that is able to be used in cars all around Atlasia.  The
         primary ethanol created should be E85 (85% ethanol).  Although big
         oil companies are currently seen as evil corporations by many Atlasian
         consumers, the fact is, these companies have the resources, funding, 
         and manpower necessary to change our oil based economy into an
         ethanol based one.  Large companies, such as Texaco and BP, could
         assist in creating ethanol refineries and possibly converting oil
         refineries into ethanol refineries.
     4. An aggressive ad campaign should be setup to educate the public
         about the advantages of using ethanol instead of gasoline.  We
         should encourage the Atlasian consumer to buy ethanol using cars
         with tax breaks.

In addition, ethanol use instead of gasoline and oil present a number of advantages:
     1.   Less reliance on foreign oil
     2.   Easing of the trade deficit
     3.   More jobs here at home in both the agriculture and industrial sectors.
     4.   Cheaper gas for the Atlasian consumer meaning stimulus of the 
         economy
     5.   Ethanol produces much less pollution than gas, meaning a clean
         environment and even possibly meeting the Kyoto Protocol
         standards.

Using these steps, our goal should be have ethanol be 30% of the fuel market in 10 years.

If elected President, I will insistently work with the Senate to implement these ideals in order to rid ourselves of energy dependence.

[True Democrat]

Any commments?  Any at all?

[Brandon H]

I was going to ask for your opinion on ANWR, but in Atlasia, we started drilling there, so that question would be irrelevant.

[WMS]

What is your stance on nuclear power?

[True Democrat]

What is your stance on nuclear power?

Generally, I support nuclear power, with regulation of course.  Nuclear power is a great source of energy for our growing population, especially in the Southwest where the Hoover Dam can't supply the growing energy need.  If the right restrictions are in place and the right safety standards, I definitely support more nuclear power in Atlasia.

Anyone else with a question about the ethanol plan?

[jokerman]

It's a sound and feasible plan, True Democrat.

[Speed of Sound]

Looks really solid to me True.

[Frodo]

I like your plan.  But I noticed how you never mentioned raising fuel economy standards.

So, what is your stance on raising fuel economy standards? 

[WMS]

What is your stance on nuclear power?

Generally, I support nuclear power, with regulation of course.  Nuclear power is a great source of energy for our growing population, especially in the Southwest where the Hoover Dam can't supply the growing energy need.  If the right restrictions are in place and the right safety standards, I definitely support more nuclear power in Atlasia.

Anyone else with a question about the ethanol plan?

Thank you for your reasoned response.

[True Democrat]

I like your plan.  But I noticed how you never mentioned raising fuel economy standards.

So, what is your stance on raising fuel economy standards? 

I support an increase on fuel economy standards, though over time.  I don't know the specific of how many mpg this should be increased, but we should definitely get car companies to increase the standards.  Furthermore, we need to stop SUVs from falling through loopholes.  I also like that hybrid cars are becoming more and more prevalent, meaning the industry is reacting faster than the government to fuel standards.