Students respond to Obama’s environmental, energy plans

Although he will not take office until Jan. 20, President-elect Barack Obama is already positioning himself to make significant changes in environmental policy. Many of his proposed changes are direct reversals of the Bush administration’s policies.

Here are four aspects of Obama’s energy plan and what some students think about them:

One reversal is in regard to the Bush administration’s decision in December to deny California the authority to set regulations on carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles.
The regulations would essentially require cars to have a fuel economy standard of at least 36 miles per gallon within eight years. Seventeen other states have shown support for the plan and intended to follow it.

“I think if every state does it, it definitely will have some sort of impact. It’s got to be a group effort,” said Mike Butler, an alumnus with a degree in biology and a minor in chemistry, currently taking classes as a non-degree seeking student.

 Obama also aims to make energy conservation a top priority within his administration. The federal government is included in this proposal; all new federal buildings will be 40 percent more efficient within five years.

“I think that improving stuff like that is a good idea, but I don’t think it will be as easily done as said,” said Kristi Totoritis, a craft/material studies major.

 The creation of an energy-based youth jobs program has been proposed by Obama. This program will focus on giving participants the opportunity to improve energy conservation within their communities, while also providing work experience in a rapidly expanding field.

“That sounds like a good thing. That’s creating skilled labor. It’s kind of like back to LBJ and the Great Society, not giving hand outs … giving jobs,” said Margo Perretz, an interdisciplinary studies major.

 Another proposal by Obama is the implementation of a market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions. Under this system, a national cap on carbon emissions would be established and the emissions allowed would be divided into individual allowances and sold to companies.

Some of the revenue generated by the selling of emissions allowances would be invested in the development of clean energy sources as well as improvements in energy efficiency. The number of allowances for emissions would be reduced each year to meet annual reduction targets.

“I think that the potential problem there is that you’re kind of creating a conflict of interest . Now you’re basically giving an incentive for people to pollute. Doesn’t it seem like the government would kind of want you to pollute in order to sell that privilege?” said Graham Pickren, an alumnus with a sociology degree.