Hillary Clinton Issues Climate Change & Energy Plan

Hillary Clinton's plan to promote energy independence, address global warming, and transform our economy includes:

*** A new cap-and-trade program that auctions 100 percent of permits alongside investments to move us on the path towards energy independence;
*** An aggressive comprehensive energy efficiency agenda to reduce electricity consumption 20 percent from projected levels by 2020 by changing the way utilities do business, catalyzing a green building industry, enacting strict appliance efficiency standards, and phasing out incandescent light bulbs;
*** A $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund, paid for in part by oil companies, to fund investments in alternative energy. The SEF will finance one-third of the $150 billon ten-year investment in a new energy future contained in this plan;
*** Doubling of federal investment in basic energy research, including funding for an ARPA-E, a new research agency modeled on the successful Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
*** Aggressive action to transition our economy toward renewable energy sources, with renewables generating 25 percent of electricity by 2030 and with 60 billion gallons of home-grown biofuels available for cars and trucks by 2030;
*** 10 "Smart Grid City" partnerships to prove the advanced capabilities of smart grid and other advanced demand-reduction technologies, as well as new investment in plug-in hybrid vehicle technologies;
*** An increase in fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030, and $20 billion of "Green Vehicle Bonds" to help U.S. automakers retool their plants to meet the standards;
*** A plan to catalyze a thriving green building industry by investing in green collar jobs and helping to modernize and retrofit 20 million low-income homes to make them more energy efficient;
*** A new "Connie Mae" program to make it easier for low and middle-income Americans to buy green homes and invest in green home improvements;
*** A requirement that all publicly traded companies report financial risks due to climate change in annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and
*** Creation of a "National Energy Council" within the White House to ensure implementation of the plan across the Executive Branch.
*** A requirement that all federal buildings designed after January 20, 2009 will be zero emissions buildings.