美兩黨共提新能源法案 擬開放沿海鑽油 | 環境資訊中心
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美兩黨共提新能源法案 擬開放沿海鑽油

2008年08月07日
摘譯自2008年8月4日ENS美國華府報導;陳維婷編譯;蔡麗伶、禾引審校

墨西哥灣的鑽油機。圖片來源:D. Melson, Sr.美國共和與民主兩黨有數名參議員聯合提案,預計開放大西洋東南區域與墨西哥灣東部鑽探石油與天然氣,以抑制油價,同時也對主要石油公司加徵稅賦。

提案議員自稱為「十人幫」,在1日的記者會上,他們公佈了2008新能源重整法案(New Energy Reform Act),並暱稱為「新紀元」(New Era)提案,預算總額達840億美元。

提案將准許在佛羅里達沿岸50英里的緩衝區之外探勘石油,維吉尼亞、卡羅來納與喬治亞州也可自願加入,開放沿海鑽油。提案要求鑽探所得的石油與天然氣僅能用於供應國內需求。

雖然油價不停竄升,美國的能源政策卻因為兩黨看法對立而停滯不前,新能源重整法案正是為了解決這個僵局而提出,希望能資助一般與貨運車輛轉型,在20年內讓路上新車有85%不再以汽油或傳統柴油作為燃料。

為了鼓勵美國民眾購買使用替代燃料的先進車款,法案將提供消費者每台車最高7500美元的抵稅額度。若將現有車輛改裝替代燃料引擎,法案也提供2500美元的抵稅額。

法案會增加對再生能源、減碳、節能與效率提升相關的租稅獎勵,包括在2012年前持續抵免再生能源的生產稅,以刺激更多資金投入。

對於發展具有碳捕捉技術的液態煤燃料廠,法案也給予補助與融資保證,但必須確保過程中溫室氣體總排放量低於被取代的石化燃料。

為了支持核能,法案將擴增核能管制委員會的人員編制,提供職業相關訓練,加速核電廠汰舊換新,並鼓勵技術研發,將使用過的燃料回收以減少核廢料。

身為亞歷桑那州參議員的共和黨準總統候選人麥肯(John McCain)於4日表示,唯有核能、清淨媒技術與沿海鑽油同時「多管齊下」,才能 解決國內能源需求問題。

麥肯認為,「不願意使用或擴充現有能源資產,卻妄想能達到能源獨立的人,假如不是經驗不足、不了解眼前的挑戰,就是不肯對美國人民說實話。」

伊利諾州參議員暨民主黨準總統候選人歐巴馬(Barack Obama)則在4日對「新紀元」提案表示歡迎。他指出這項提案可以避免「兩黨對峙與特殊利益介入」,也象徵「對兩黨開始合作而進行的努力」。

歐巴馬說,「任何妥協一旦達成,其中都會有自己原本不支持的部份。我仍然懷疑開放沿海鑽油會在短期內降低油價,並且在長期大幅減輕對進口石油的依賴。但我歡迎建立相關機制,讓日後能根據科學與事實基礎進行鑽油的決策。」

歐巴馬也同時宣佈自己的能源提案,將「要求石油公司從創紀錄的暴漲利潤中提撥合理的比例,給予民眾每人500美元,或夫妻共1000美元的直接補助。」

他在計畫中提出涵蓋各經濟層面的總量管制交易制度,目標是在2050年使碳排放降低為1990年的80%,以符合科學家認為要穩定氣候所需的減排量。

歐巴馬更提議在10年內投資1500億美元,以加速插電式油電混合車的生產、增加發展商業規模的再生能源、促進能源使用效率、資助低排放燃煤電廠、提升新一代生質燃料與硬體設備,並且著手移轉至數位化輸電網路(digital electricity grid)。

地球之友的活動部主席布萊克威爾德(Brent Blackwelder)指出,歐巴馬考慮接受開放沿海鑽油,讓環保團體感到失望。他表示,與十人幫提出的新世紀法案相比,地球之友比較支持歐巴馬自己的能源計畫。

Bipartisan Energy Bill Exposes Obama-McCain Schism
WASHINGTON, DC, August 4, 2008 (ENS)

A bipartisan group of senators has introduced a proposal to reduce gas prices by opening new areas in the Southeast Atlantic Ocean and Eastern Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling, while raising taxes on the major oil companies.

At a news conference on Capitol Hill Friday, the self-styled "Gang of 10" unveiled an $84 billion measure they call the "New Era," more formally entitled the New Energy Reform Act of 2008.

It would permit producers to explore beyond a 50 mile buffer zone off Florida's Gulf coast and those of Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia, if those states opt in to the deal. It requires all new oil and gas production to be used domestically.

In an effort to rise above a partisan impasse that has stalled U.S. energy policy as gasoline prices skyrocketed, the New Energy Reform Act would fund the transformation of cars and trucks so that 85 percent of new vehicles on the road would be powered by fuels other than gasoline and petroleum diesel within 20 years.

The bill provides consumer tax credits of up to $7,500 per vehicle to motivate Americans to purchase advanced alternative fuel vehicles and up to $2,500 to retrofit existing vehicles with advanced alternative fuel engines.

It would extend renewable energy, carbon mitigation and energy conservation and efficiency tax incentives, including the production tax credit, through 2012 to spur greater investment in renewables.

The bill provides grants and loan guarantees for the development of coal-to-liquid fuel plants with carbon capture capability. Plants must have lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions below those of the petroleum fuels they replace.

And it supports nuclear energy by increasing staff at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, providing workforce training, accelerating depreciation for nuclear plants, and supporting research and development on spent fuel recycling to reduce nuclear waste.

Republican presidential hopeful Senator John McCain of Arizona said today that the only way to address the nation's energy needs is through an "all-of-the-above approach" that uses nuclear power, clean coal technology, and more offshore oil drilling.

"Anybody who says we can achieve energy independence without using and increasing these existing energy resources either doesn't have the experience to understand the challenge we face or isn't giving the American people some straight talk," McCain said.

Democratic presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama of Illinois said today that he welcomes the New Era proposal, which he said avoids "partisan gridlock and special interest influence" and represents "a good faith effort at a new bipartisan beginning."

"Like all compromises, it also includes steps that I haven't always supported," said Obama. "I remain skeptical that new offshore drilling will bring down gas prices in the short-term or significantly reduce our oil dependence in the long-term, though I do welcome the establishment of a process that will allow us to make future drilling decisions based on science and fact."

Obama today introduced his own energy plan that would "require oil companies to take a reasonable share of their record-breaking windfall profits and use it to provide direct relief worth $500 for an individual and $1,000 for a married couple."

His plan includes an economy-wide cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions by the amount scientists say is necessary: 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Obama says he would invest $150 billion over 10 years to accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids, promote development of commercial scale renewable energy, encourage energy efficiency, invest in low emissions coal plants, advance the next generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, and begin transition to a new digital electricity grid.

Friends of the Earth Action president Brent Blackwelder said today the environmental group is disappointed that Obama would consider allowing more offshore drilling. Blackwelder said his group prefers Obama's own energy plan to the New Era bill proposed by the Gang of Ten.

全文及圖片詳見:ENS

作者

蔡麗伶(LiLing Barricman)

In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.