The lead article in the September 10th Money Section of USA Today was a brief synopsis of the candidates policy positions on energy related issues entitled: To win the presidential race, it takes energy: What the candidates think about the top 6 energy issues. I am going to assume that the paper has its data correct and provide a scorecard for both candidates on the issues.  Only one candidate can win each section, although notable policies of either candidate will be mentioned in the conclusions.  First issue:

Oil Drilling

1. Obama

a. “…says oil companies need to focus in areas already leased to the oil and gas companies…where oil exploration and production is already permitted”.

b. Says he is “open to a bi-partisan proposal in the senate that would lift the moratorium on drilling in a small portion of the 1.76 billion-acre Outer Continental Shelf” as long as certain conditions are met.

c. He believes that drilling will not reduce prices in the short term and nor promote long-term energy independence.

d. Is opposed to drilling at ANWR.

2. McCain

a. Favors unconditionally lifting the ban on drilling off the Outer Continental Shelf.

b. Is opposed to drilling at ANWR

Conclusion: McCain is the winner. Apparently, for Obama, more drilling means allowing companies to drill where they are already allowed to drill. That’s like someone looking at my driver’s license, giving it back to me and noting that I can drive now… and wanting credit for allowing me to drive. As the article states, no honest person would claim to be able to know whether drilling will drive down the price of oil. If lots of oil is found that is easy to get at, then it almost certainly would. And as I have argued with my brother in the past, it could affect the price long before this oil hits the market. Obama’s claim that it wouldn’t affect the price in the short term is incorrect. As you can imagine, I don’t buy into claims that drilling presents grave environmental risks, especially if permits are issued in such a way that the full cost of a major environmental accident are borne by private enterprise. Both candidates are wrong about ANWR .

Point: McCain