Explore Candidates → Dennis Kucinich on Environment and Energy
Dennis Kucinich on Environment and Energy
"Do you have to be a scientist to know there is something quite unusual going on with our environment? Do you have to be a member of congress to understand? All over the world, people have seen the effects of global climate change...I don't need a scientist to tell me, because I see it myself. The problem comes when you get scientists who tell you something that's different from what you're seeing with your own eyes. Why do we even get trapped into that kind of thinking?"
The Kyoto Climate Change Treaty is just the first step. We need to go beyond Kyoto. We need to reach out to the world and reduce our carbon emissions, and we need to have environmental protection to secure our food supplies.
Take Back America 2007 Conference Jun 20, 2007
I will sign the Kyoto climate change treaty.
MoveOn.org interview Jun 17, 2003
As a citizen of Planet Earth, I want this project for the same reason I will sign the Kyoto climate change treaty -- because we need it for our children and our grandchildren.
Campaign website, www.Kucinich.us, "On The Issues" Aug 1, 2003
Voted YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol
Amendment sponsored by Olver, D-MA; Bill HR 4690 ; vote number 2000-323 on Jun 26, 2000
We need to move away from reliance on oil and coal and toward reliance on wind and solar. That's the basis of my WGA, Works Green Administration, where we take an entirely new approach to organize the entire country around sustainability, around conservation.
2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC Jul 23, 2007
I will spur research and investment in "alternative" energy sources - hydrogen, solar, wind and ocean - and make them mainstream. Clean energy technologies will produce new jobs. We can easily double our energy from renewable sources by 2010.
MoveOn.org interview Jun 17, 2003
I will soon announce legislation to create a $50 billion solar venture fund, in cooperation with the UN, to introduce solar technologies to developing nations. Parallel legislation will provide incentives for the production and application of solar technologies in the US.
Speech at UN World Summit, in Prayer for America, p. 40 Aug 29, 2002
By the year 2010, I'll call upon Americans to assist in creating a program, not only of conservation, but of moving to renewable energy, away from oil, nuclear and coal, and towards wind and solar and geothermal, green hydrogen and biomass.
Democratic 2004 Primary Debate at St. Anselm College Jan 22, 2004
Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies
Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation(CLEAN); Bill HR 6 ("First 100 hours") ; vote number 2007-040 on Jan 18, 2007
Voted YES on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore
Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act; Bill H R 4761 ; vote number 2006-354 on Jun 29, 2006
Voted YES on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR
Bill HR 4 ; vote number 2001-317 on Aug 1, 2001
The fact that there are many options for reducing power sector carbon emissions mean that there is considerable flexibility for meeting a carbon cap, and deep carbon reductions do not require substantial reductions in the use of coal use.
Supports 'cap and trade' systems and plans to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050
"As president of the United States, I intend to move away from reliance on oil, coal, and nuclear, and towards green energy, sustainable energy -- wind, solar, green hydrogen, fuel cell technology. All subsidies for non-renewables will be eliminated, period. And we will use the resources to help fuel the growth of the sustainable energy technologies.... We're going to make environmentalism and sustainability the hallmarks of a [Kucinich] presidency."
Q: Would nuclear power play any role in your energy policy as president? KUCINICH: Nuclear has to be phased out. The hidden costs of nuclear are enormous -- of building these plants and storing the waste forever. It's not financially or environmentally sustainable. Q: Nuclear makes up 20 percent of America's electricity supply. What would you replace this with? KUCINICH: You don't want to leave a gap in our energy needs, but at the same time, with a program of conservation and movement toward alternative energy, we can begin phasing out nuclear.
Nuclear waste poses a serious threat to this nation. The transportation of this waste will require over 96,000 truck shipments over 4 decades. More radioactive waste will be shipped in the first full year of repository operations than has been transported in the entire five-decade history of spent fuel shipments in the United States.
Campaign website, www.Kucinich.us, "On The Issues" Aug 1, 2003
By the year 2010, I'll call upon Americans to assist in creating a program, not only of conservation, but of moving to renewable energy, away from oil, nuclear and coal, and towards wind and solar and geothermal, green hydrogen and biomass.
Democratic 2004 Primary Debate at St. Anselm College Jan 22, 2004
Q: Would you increase the required automobile fleet average of 27.5 mpg; and SUVs and pickups averaging 20.7 mpg? KUCINICH: The technology already exists to make light trucks that achieve 40 mpg and cars 45 mpg, and I will establish those standards as one early step in a major shift away from the use of fossil fuels.
Associated Press policy Q&A, "Fuel Efficiency" Jan 25, 2004
Voted YES on raising corporate average fuel economy standards
Bill HR 4 ; vote number 2001-311 on Aug 1, 2001
I will lead the way in protecting our oceans, rivers and rural environments. I will also lead in fighting for clean, affordable and accessible drinking water.
MoveOn.org interview Jun 17, 2003
Kucinich sponsored the Morris K. Udall Arctic Wilderness Act to preserve Arctic Wildlife National Refuge
House Resolution Sponsorship 01-HR770 on Feb 28, 2001
Overdevelopment of wetlands, which would accelerate under proposed Bush Administration rule changes, destroys nature's natural pollution filters and increases flooding.
Campaign website, www.Kucinich.us, "On The Issues" Aug 1, 2003
Voted NO on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species
Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act; Bill HR 3824 ; vote number 2005-506 on Sep 29, 2005
Congressman Kucinich has also consistently voted to support and strengthen the Endangered Species Act and has opposed all efforts to undermine it. The Endangered Species Act of 1973, which lists hundreds of plants and animals as endangered or threatened, is one of the major environmental laws. Once a species is listed, a recovery plan is developed to aid in the recovery of the species and the protection of its habitat.
Voted YES on increasing AMTRAK funding by adding $214M to $900M
Department of Transportation appropriations; Bill HR 5576 Amendment 1008 ; vote number 2006-263 on Jun 13, 2006
I am concerned that proposed cuts in the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's (RTA) lines in the West Shore suburbs will have an adverse effect on riders who depend of the service. I ask that you cancel these proposed cuts in service