WL: Why are some automakers against the
increased fuel efficiency standards in the Senate
bill? For example, is it true that Toyota – who
has generally been extremely forward-thinking
– is against it, and do you know why?
EM: It’s a mystery. They already meet 35 mpg
as a standard in Japan that they would have to
meet in the U.S thirteen years from now.
WL: Let’s talk about incentives and disincentives to
energy corporations and companies. What kind
of subsidies are we currently giving the oil, gas
and nuclear industries that we don’t give clean
energy? What kinds of market or tax incentives
should we be providing?
EM: We do need to change the incentives that exist
in our country. My goal is to promote incentives
encouraging wind, solar and other renewable
energy resources, as well as those fostering the
development of cellulosic and technology that
can capture the carbon dioxide produced from
burning coal. I want to create disincentives for the
purchase of “gas guzzlers” and other incentives
that take America in the wrong direction.
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Adam
Smith is spinning in his grave over the fact that
he would qualify for tax exemption under some
of the very bad tax policies we have in our
country. We must make it possible for the new
technologies to finally emerge by creating better balanced
incentives.
WL: People like former CIA director James
Woolsey and scientists and economists such
as Amory Lovins argue that nuclear without
tax subsidies is more expensive than many
alternative energy sources that are currently
available. Is this true?
EM: The nuclear industry is advocating for
subsidies. The tax legislation which gives
unlimited loan guarantees – often billions of
dollars to the nuclear industry – creates a very
uneven playing field for wind, solar and other
renewable generated options of electricity. If
we are going to have a level playing field,
we have to ensure that the nuclear industry
does not tip the scales in a way that makes it
impossible for the future of renewable power
to unfold in our country. If they can make
it in the marketplace, then they should do just that. But, to a large extent, they have
already met their maker in the marketplace.
It is now time |
to give the incentives to
new technologies that will produce the low
emission energy of the 21st century.
WL: Do we need a New Deal for energy and
environmental security ?
EM: The young people in America are the
green generation. They want a new agenda
for their country. They want to embrace the
new technologies that will make our country
greener. We should be the world leader, not
the world lagger, on these issues.
WL: What would it take to get these bills passed?
EM: Congress is a stimulus-response institution.
There is nothing more stimulating than millions
of Americans calling their congressman. If the
American people demand it, Congress will give it
to them. Whether or not President Bush will sign
legislation is unknowable, but at least we should
give him a chance to go down as one of the
greatest people who ever lived because he took
the initiative to end global warming and to give
America a path to energy independence.  |
