Two Very Different Energy Visions

The Sept. 7 editorial "Energy Loss" got it half right. It appropriately criticized Sen. John McCain for failing to even mention climate change in his speech at the Republican National Convention. This is especially disappointing because just months ago, Mr. McCain used this issue as an example of how he was supposedly different from President Bush and from the other candidates for the GOP presidential nomination.

But the editorial was just wrong in saying that the energy policies of Sen. Barack Obama and Mr. McCain are similar. Both plans mention the words "renewable energy," but that is where the similarities end. Mr. McCain's voting record proves that he is no advocate for a clean-energy future. He voted against fuel efficiency increases in 2003 and 2005. He missed the vote in 2007.

He voted against a renewable electricity standard in 2005 and missed a key vote on renewable energy last year. He also opposed cutting $13 billion in subsidies to Big Oil and putting the money into clean energy. In each of these instances, Mr. Obama supported clean alternative energy.

The plans based on those two very different records diverge as well.

Mr. McCain has no plan to increase fuel efficiency. Mr. Obama would double it. Mr. McCain has no plan to promote renewable energy. Mr. Obama would require that 25 percent of our electricity come from wind, solar and other clean sources.

GENE KARPINSKI

President, League of Conservation Voters

Washington