Energy Independence
Lauzen: Believes America must reduce dependence on foreign oil; supports the FutureGen program to burn clean energy from coal; supports nuclear energy; wants to make more use of biofuels like ethanol; believes the government should invest in geothermal power; supports environmental responsibility.
Oberweis: Wants to see U.S. reduce its reliance on foreign oil; supports FutureGen and other environmentally safe programs; supports geothermal power; is in favor of nuclear power; wants to see more ethanol use; supports offshore drilling to pump up oil supplies.
Dilger: Supports hydrogen as an alternative fuel; believes ethanol use will result in higher food prices for Americans; supports looking at tar and shale fuel manufacturing, if a clean process can be developed.
Democrats
Foster: Promotes new technologies that use sound business and science practices, as well as greater use of renewable resources; encourages government funded “innovation awards” for promising technologies.
Laesch: Wants energy policy that invests “heavily” in renewable energy sources; points to high speed rail and fuel cell or hybrid technology as way to reduce dependence; would offer subsidies to encourage individuals and businesses to be more energy efficient; supports idea of carbon emission permits to increase cost of using fossil fuels, thereby pressuring companies to find more efficient renewable technologies.
Stein: Supports tax credits for creating or using alternative energy; would increase and fully fund similar programs in Farm Bill; increase basic research funding at the university level; promotes wind energy.
Serra: Supports wind and solar energy plans, including wind turbines and “even greater” tax breaks for alternative energy; suggests most people don’t care where energy comes from.
