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Election 101: Where the GOP candidates stand on energy and the environment

Energy and the environment are typically 鈥渂ack burner鈥� issues in national elections, but both are huge this year for Republicans. From tarring President Obama鈥檚 administration with allegations of mismanagement and favoritism for pushing renewable-energy and a 鈥済reen jobs鈥� agenda, to lambasting 鈥渏ob-killing鈥� environmental regulations, GOP candidates have embraced both energy and environmental issues with gusto. Take a look at where each of them stands. 

Nam Y. Huh/AP/File
In this 2007 file photo, the exterior of the Crawford Generating Station, a coal-fired power station, is seen in Chicago. 聽

1. Newt Gingrich

Rainier Ehrhardt
Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich speaks during a business forum, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, in Greenville, S.C.

  • By Mark Clayton Staff writer

Energy, fossil fuels

Would maximize oil, gas, and 鈥渃lean coal鈥� production; remove 鈥渂ureaucratic and legal鈥� obstacles; end ban on oil shale development; share federal royalties with states to promote offshore oil. 

Energy, alternatives

Pledges to finance clean-energy research and projects using oil and gas royalties, supports nuclear and wind. Gets an 鈥楢鈥� from Iowa corn growers for ethanol and renewable-fuels support. 

Climate change

Opposes cap-and-trade regulation. In 2008 TV ad, said US 鈥渕ust take action to address climate change.鈥� Now says ad was 鈥減robably the dumbest thing I鈥檝e done in recent years.鈥� Once cosponsored legislation that blamed 鈥渉uman activities鈥� for warming, but later said he did not know if humans were to blame. 

Environmental regulations

Would replace 鈥渏ob killing鈥� EPA with 鈥�Environmental Solutions Agency,鈥� using incentives to work with local government and industry. Seeks 鈥渓oser pays鈥� laws: environmental lawsuit losers pay all legal costs.

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