Mike Gravel

Maurice Robert “Mike” Gravel supports serious environmental and energy reform. He states on his website that if elected president, he will implement a tax on carbon emissions. One of his goals is to create a global effort to combat climate change, encouraging nations that produce a lot of carbon to work together in conservation and science.[1] Beyond eliminating the global dependence on oil, he wants to fight deforestation (another key contributor to climate change).[2] Gravel has also voiced his support for the end of coal-powered electricity production, suggesting further that the US energy system should work toward a base in hydrogen power.[3] With respect to transportation, Gravel is a proponent of far stricter automotive fuel-economy regulation. He also supports the adoption of a national magnetic levitation train system, a technology that has already been implemented in several other countries.[4] His record as a senator (representing Alaska from 1969 to 1981) includes helping to allow the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline to be built, and campaigning against the use of nuclear power for energy production or warfare.[5]

Mike Gravel addresses most of the issues of climate change well. His ideas and proposals would combat greenhouse gas emissions at large point sources (switching away from oil and gas power) as well as consumer sources such as cars (increased fuel-economy standards). Furthermore, he has ideas on a number of different time scales. Automobile efficiency and emissions could be improved almost immediately with the proper legislation. Maglev trains and the infrastructure for vehicles and fuel stations that use liquid hydrogen could be created within a few (or perhaps several) years. Further down the road, cooperation with India, China and other global polluters could have incredible benefits. On the other hand, Gravel’s rejection of nuclear power might be idealistically admirable, but it also ignores a technology that could power the US into its transition to more renewable fuels. Furthermore, his senate record of supporting the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline falls opposite to his supposed desire to eliminate US oil dependence. The vote may have been decades ago, but it could shows a desire to see economic growth over conservation. In general, Mike Gravel has some ambitious and potentially effective goals in climate change and energy policy. However, in some areas (such as his hydrogen-powered economy), his suggested policies lacks the detail needed for such a revolutionary platform.

Climate Change Grade: B+

---

[1] “The People’s Crusade: More Like Marcus Cicero than Don Quixote.” Ralph Nader.

Accessed 11/1/07.

[2] “Gravel On the Record – Interview.” Amanda Griscom Little. Grist Magazine, 8/7/07.

Accessed 11/1/07

[3] “Gravel On the Record – Interview.” Amanda Griscom Little. Grist Magazine, 8/7/07.

Accessed 11/1/07

[4] “Gravel On the Issues.” Kate Sheppard and Todd Hymas Samkara. http://www.grist.org/feature/2007/08/07/gravel_factsheet/> Accessed 11/1/07

[5] “The People’s Crusade: More Like Marcus Cicero than Don Quixote.” Ralph Nader.

Accessed 11/1/07.

Photo:www.viewimages.com

-Will Whitney, Cornell University Student