Energy Issues

Oil is a global commodity, so even if we stop purchasing it from the Middle East and Venezuela, those countries will still have a large influence on the prices we pay at the pump. If Saudi Arabia cut production, oil prices will rise everywhere, regardless of whether we are buying oil from the Saudis.

As for Sen. McCain's comment about nuclear power, 96 percent of transportation fuel is in the form of oil. Nuclear power plants generate electricity. Unless there is a rapid and wholesale shift to electric cars, a more abundant supply of electricity will have little impact on fuel for transportation. That can happen in the long run, but that kind of transition would take decades, not years.

Both candidates also spoke in favor of "Clean Coal." In fact, clean coal is a fuzzy buzzword. Coal, when burned, produces large amounts of carbon dioxide, which a major cause of global warming. "Clean Coal," as commonly defined, doesn't actually reduce this most important emission. "Clean Coal" plants are at best potentially ready to capture their carbon dioxide, if anyone can ever figure out an economical way to safely store that carbon dioxide rather than letting it to into the air.

For energy facts and figures, click here.

-- Richard Harris

9:57 PM ET | 10-15-2008 | permalink

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