CHICAGO, IL -- During his time in the U.S. Senate, John McCain has opposed policies to save Illinoisans money on gasoline, reduce traffic, and reduce air pollution according to an analysis released by Environment Illinois today. Unlike Senator John McCain, Senator Barack Obama has taken leadership in solving America’s transportation and energy problems.
“For decades, Big Oil, the automakers, the highway lobby and other powerful interests have held sway over transportation policy in Washington, D.C. Now, America’s drivers and our environment are paying the price,” said Brian Granahan, Staff Attorney and Clean Energy Advocate for Environment Illinois. “Senator McCain has sided with Big Oil and other powerful interests on issue after issue important to Illinois drivers.”
In their online publication discussing how outdated transportation policy keeps America stuck on oil and stuck in traffic, Environment Illinois documented that Senator John McCain has often been absent for important transportation votes or been outright opposed. Specifically, Senator McCain:
• Missed several key votes to increase fuel economy standards for cars, a step that will cut oil consumption in the United States by more than 8 billion gallons a year by 2020, while saving American drivers $26 billion a year at the pump and reducing global warming pollution by 83 million metric tons.
• Missed a critical vote to encourage the development of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which can achieve 100 mpg or more. If run on clean electricity, plug-in hybrids can reduce the air pollution that puts the health of 125 million Americans at risk.
• Missed a vote to stop huge taxpayer subsidies to expensive and polluting liquid coal plants. Liquid fuel from coal produces twice as much global warming pollution as ordinary gasoline and the $7 billion cost of each liquid coal plant would be enough to build 2,500 wind turbines, or buy over 300,000 Americans their own brand-new hybrid car.
• Voted against investments in passenger and commuter rail service.
Environment Illinois also highlighted that Sen. McCain has taken $1.3 million in campaign contributions from the oil industry during the 2008 presidential campaign alone and has surrounded himself with 28 lobbyists, serving as fundraisers, staffers and advisors, from the oil and gas industry.
Environment Illinois’s report pointed out that cities and states across the country face big transportation challenges, including congestion, pollution, and the high cost of gas. The group advocates for meeting those challenges by using existing technology to make cars and trucks that use less gas and produce less pollution, relieving pressure on overcrowded roads by providing transportation choices such as modern public transit to more Americans, and taking advantage of clean, alternative sources of energy.
“We know Senator McCain doesn’t get to and from Washington by car, but the rest of us are stuck in traffic that he’s done nothing to reduce. By electing Senator Barack Obama, Americans will have a leader who will look out for their interests, fight to make life easier for drivers, and work to clean up our air and protect our health,” Granahan concluded.
The complete report can be found at: http://www.environmentamerica.org/reports/election-2008-reports2/election-2008-reports/john-mccain-bad-for-drivers
Paid for by Environment Illinois at www.EnvironmentIllinois.org.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
