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BARACk OBAMA'S PLAN
Reduce Carbon Emissions 80 Percent by 2050
Cap and Trade: Obama supports implementation of a market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce
carbon emissions by the amount scientists say is necessary: 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Obama's
cap-and-trade system will require all pollution credits to be auctioned. A 100 percent auction ensures that
all polluters pay for every ton of emissions they release, rather than giving these emission rights away to coal
and oil companies. Some of the revenue generated by auctioning allowances will be used to support the
development of clean energy, to invest in energy efficiency improvements, and to address transition costs,
including helping American workers affected by this economic transition.
Confront Deforestation and Promote Carbon Sequestration: Obama will develop domestic
incentives that reward forest owners, farmers, and ranchers when they plant trees, restore grasslands, or
undertake farming practices that capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Invest in a Clean Energy Future
Invest $150 Billion over 10 Years in Clean Energy: Obama will invest $150 billion over 10 years to
advance the next generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, accelerate the commercialization of plug-in
hybrids, promote development of commercial-scale renewable energy, invest in low-emissions coal plants,
and begin the transition to a new digital electricity grid. A principal focus of this fund will be to ensure that
technologies that are developed in the U.S. are rapidly commercialized in the U.S. and deployed around the
globe.
Double Energy Research and Development Funding: Obama will double science and research funding
for clean energy projects including those that make use of our biomass, solar and wind resources.
Invest in a Skilled Clean Technologies Workforce
Obama will use proceeds from the cap-and-trade auction program to invest in job training and transition
programs to help workers and industries adapt to clean technology development and production. Obama
will also create an energy-focused Green Jobs Corps to connect disconnected and disadvantaged youth with
job skills for a high-growth industry.
Convert our Manufacturing Centers into Clean Technology Leaders
Obama will establish a federal investment program to help manufacturing centers modernize and Americans
learn the new skills they need to produce green products
.
Clean Technologies Deployment Venture Capital Fund
Obama will create a Clean Technologies Venture Capital Fund to fill a critical gap in U.S. technology
development. Obama will invest $10 billion per year into this fund for five years. The fund will partner
with existing investment funds and our National Laboratories to ensure that promising technologies move
beyond the lab and are commercialized in the U.S.
Require 25 Percent of Renewable Electricity by 2025
Obama will establish a 25 percent federal Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to require that 25 percent
of electricity consumed in the U.S. is derived from clean, sustainable energy sources, like solar, wind and
geothermal by 2025.
Develop and Deploy Clean Coal Technology
Obama will significantly increase the resources devoted to the commercialization and deployment of low-
carbon coal technologies. Obama will consider whatever policy tools are necessary, including standards that
ban new traditional coal facilities, to ensure that we move quickly to commercialize and deploy low carbon
coal technology.
ENERGY