Clinton (D-NY) Unveils Conservation-Heavy Energy Plan - Reuters

In a speech interrupted by two anti-war protesters, Clinton said a "virtual revolution" was needed in the US approach to energy. She proposed a package of tax and investment incentives designed to reduce foreign oil imports by nearly 8 million barrels a day in the next 20 years.

Clinton, who is seeking re-election in November to the US Senate from New York, said dependence on foreign oil threatened the economy and national security. "Our present system of energy is weakening our national security, hurting our pocketbooks, violating our common values and threatening our children's futures," Clinton said in a speech at the National Press Club.

With high gas prices and the large profits for oil companies creating a political uproar in Congress, Clinton proposed a temporary two-year fee on some oil company profits to help create a US$50 billion fund for energy research and innovation.

The goal would be the production of 20 percent of US electricity through clean, renewable sources like wind and solar power by 2020. The fund also would create tax incentives for developing more energy efficient vehicles, she said.

EDIT

http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/36514/story.htm

There were two points that I paid particular notice to, okay three that piqued my interest.

The first, was to increase the incentives to buy hybrid vehicles. This is my understanding of the the hybrid incentives. Up to and including 2005, there was a $2000.00 tax deduction for those who purchased a hybrid. In 2006, there is a tax credit up to $3,400.00 (pro-rated based on Model by efficiency ratings). This credit, however, and this is weird, only applies to the first 60,000 autos sold by maker, and then reduces by 50% etc. If you want to research visit the irs.gov website and search on fuel energy credit. It was the weirdest thing I and mom (accountant) had ever seen, a credit based on the amt. of product sold by manufacturer, of a product. (It was quarterly, so. if the 60,000th is sold in the 2nd qtr, all vehicles purchased in that qtr. would qualify.).

HC's proposal: To raise the incentive, no specific info., for hybrid purchase.

HC also proposed even greater incentives for those who currently own older vehicles, no specifics, to purchase hybrids.

The last proposal was to provide medical incentives to seniors who invest in alternative energy exploration initiatives. There were no specifics. I believe this was referred to as Feebates. Somehow, they would receive medical incentives to invest in energy alternatives research.

All three sounded really innovative to me, but there were no details provided. This is really thinking outside the box and the Dem's are coming back with REAL SOLUTIONS!

Actually it is bigger than a nit....the tax incentives are only available if you purchase the car. Nothing if you lease.

nothing! The ideas are also good, but, unlike you, I value the PROGRESS, such ideas will invoke and not the vehicle from which they came.

Good, not good enough for you, any little improvement is a baby step, not a leap, but it is better than the no cafeteria standard Republican.

As the world breathes it's last breath, you will still be advocating better solutions!

Democratic Presidential candidate when you voted to give Bush a blank check to go to war. That's it. Game over for you.

Isn't that a biggie for conservatives and Republicans? Reduce waste in government. After all, that is where they contend so many of our tax dollars go.

You'd think Repubs would be behind reducing the waste of energy. Lights that burn endlessly, incadescent bulbs, idling vehicles, oversized vehicles, an over abundance of climate controlled buildings...some of which feel like an artic setting, millions of gallons of water poured on lawns, disposable everything, too many cars and not enough mass transit, not enough walking...and on and on and on.

Waste is almost a religion in the United States. It is a by-product of our unfettered consumption. Our way of life, based on a child-like belief that nothing has an end and no bad things can happen.

Hillary is right to call for conservation. It just makes me so damn mad since having lived through the 1970s, this is deja vu all over again, 30 years later.