Explore Candidates Christopher Dodd on Environment and Energy

Christopher Dodd on Environment and Energy

Global warming is an undeniable part of the public debate on the environment today. How candidates will address global warming varies greatly on difference in perceived causes. But global warming is only part of a discussion on the environment. This topic includes information about candidate positions on: global warming, international environmental treaties, alternative energy, human pollution, public transportation, fuel efficiency, and conservation.
Christopher Dodd supports the idea that human pollution is a significant cause of global warming

Voted YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning

Kerry Amendment; Bill S.Amdt.1094 to H.R.1495 ; vote number 2007-166 on May 15, 2007

Christopher Dodd supports international treaties to cut greenhouse gas emissions like the Kyoto Protocol

Instead of strengthening the alliances and institutions of the last century for the often harsh realities of the new one, the Bush Administration rejected some and ignored others. From the UN and NATO to the Geneva Conventions and the Kyoto Protocol, no agreement, no framework was too significant to belittle, to weaken, to discredit - regardless of how important they were to America's security.

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That is why, for all its flaws, it was a disgrace that this Administration abandoned the Kyoto Protocol - that they picked up their chair and went home. In a Dodd Administration, America will lead the world in reversing the effects of global climate change, convening an International Global Warming Summit.

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Christopher Dodd supports investment in alternative forms of energy

"If you are going to deal with global warming, and you are going to reduce the dependency on foreign oil coming out of the middle east, then we are going to have to eliminate that price barrier. Today the price differential is one of the great obstacles to moving to alternative fuels and alternative energy technologies. So until we do something about price, that is going to be a major obstacle for us...I've tried to think of a thousand different ways to do it, but the only way I know how to do it is to have a good cap and trade but also to have a corporate carbon tax."

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I would tax those who pollute. I would use the money from that to invest in the alternative technologies of wind and solar and ethanol and other biofuels that would make it possible for us to become independent.

2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum Aug 8, 2007

Voted NO on defunding renewable and solar energy

Motion to table the recommital; Bill S. 1186 ; vote number 1999-171 on Jun 16, 1999

Voted YES on do not require ethanol in gasoline

Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1995; Bill H.R. 4624 ; vote number 1994-255 on Aug 3, 1994

Christopher Dodd strongly opposes investment in drilling for oil domestically

Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies

Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation (CLEAN); Bill H.R.6 ; vote number 2007-226 on Jun 21, 2007

Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR

Bar Oil and Gas Leasing amendment; Bill S Amdt 2358 to S 1932 ; vote number 2005-288 on Nov 3, 2005

Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge anti-drilling Amendment; Bill S AMDT 168 to S.Con.Res. 18 ; vote number 2005-52 on Mar 16, 2005

Voted YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill

Bill SConRes 23 ; vote number 2003-59 on Mar 19, 2003

Voted NO on approving a nuclear waste repository

Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997; Bill S. 104 ; vote number 1997-42 on Apr 15, 1997

Christopher Dodd supports carbon taxes or credits to cut greenhouse gas emissions

"The only way I know how to do it is good cap and trade, but also a corporate carbon tax. To impose a tax on those industries that pollute, and to thuswise make it less of a financial advantage to continue to use those technologies that cause the problems they do"

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Q: What policies would you implement to make businesses invest in energy-efficient technologies? DODD: On energy issues here, I stand for having an 80% reduction in CO2 by the year 2080

2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum Aug 8, 2007

[I support a] corporate carbon tax. You've got to tax polluters. You've got to separate the price differential so that we can move away from fossil fuels that do so much damage to our environment, to our economy, to our future, to jobs in this country.

2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC Jul 23, 2007

Christopher Dodd is neutral on investment in nuclear energy

Q: Do you believe nuclear power has a role to play in America's energy future? DODD: I understand the safety and security concerns with nuclear power and share many of them -- I live three miles away from a nuclear power plant. But nuclear power is an option to reduce global warming, which I don't believe we can afford to take off the menu of options, not when we rely on it for close to one-quarter of our power. However, the nuclear waste generated is an environmental hazard that I'm deeply concerned about. While the temporary solution of storing waste in dry casks may be safe, we must find a resolution to long-term concerns.

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Christopher Dodd strongly supports requiring American automakers to meet certain fuel efficiency standards

"I'm a strong advocate of 50-mile standard by the year 2020, 2017...that can be done..."

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We do so by setting a mile per gallon standard of 50 miles per gallon by the year 2017. There were automobiles produced back in 1983 that got 43 miles per gallon; we can do a lot better.

2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum Aug 8, 2007

Q: How do you get Americans to conserve? DODD: There are a number of things. The 50-mile-per-gallon standard is something I've advocated by 2017, that I would push hard for. Entire fleet of federal automobiles would be hybrids or electric automobiles, so we reduce even further out consumption. I myself drive a hybrid.

2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC Jul 23, 2007

Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010

Bill S.14 ; vote number 2003-212 on Jun 10, 2003

Voted NO on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months

Bill S.517 ; vote number 2002-47 on Mar 13, 2002

Voted YES on ending discussion of corporate average fuel economy fuel efficiency standards

Gorton Amdt # 1677; Bill H.R. 2084 ; vote number 1999-275 on Sep 15, 1999

Christopher Dodd strongly supports the protection of natural places from development

Voted NO on more funding for forest roads and fish habitat

Motion to table Bryan Amdt. #1588; Bill H.R. 2466 ; vote number 1999-272 on Sep 14, 1999

Voted YES on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests

Bill HR.2107 ; vote number 1997-242 on Sep 17, 1997

Voted YES on continuing desert protection in California

California Desert Protection Act of 1993; Bill S. 21 ; vote number 1994-326 on Oct 8, 1994

Christopher Dodd supports initiatives to conserve and recover endangered species

Co-sponsored Endangered Species Day

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"This bill [The Highlands Conservation Act] will protect a tremendous national treasure," said Dodd. "The pristine Highlands forest provides millions of gallons of drinking water, a home to threatened or endangered species, and recreational areas for Americans to enjoy, so it is essential that we protect and conserve this habitat for future generations."

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Late last night the Senate passed legislation that includes provisions authored by Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman, both D-Conn., to provide $2.6 million for construction of shoreline protection measures for the coastline adjacent to Faulkner's Island Lighthouse in Guilford...The Island is also a nesting site for the roseate tern, a bird on the Endangered Species list.

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Christopher Dodd supports greater investment in public transportation

#13 on 14-point energy plan: Increase access to affordable and convenient mass transit systems across all regions of the country. Mass transit saves families money in fuel costs and lowers pollution by reducing the number of cars on the road during rush hours.

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Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, announced today that he has helped secure new transit security investments and improvements as part of a comprehensive 9-11 Conference Report finalized today by House and Senate conferees . The transit security legislation will provide additional resources -- $3.5 billion over the next four years -- distributed on the basis of risk, directly to public transit systems to better protect against terrorist attacks

States News Service July 25, 2007