"President Obama promotes wind energy in Iowa while Mitt Romney defends the coal industry before a group of miners in Ohio."
"OSKALOOSA, Iowa — President Obama visited an Iowa farm Tuesday where a family grows corn and soybeans while also generating wind energy with several turbines on their 1,000 acres. Republican Mitt Romney spent time at an Ohio coal mine, speaking in front of hard-hat-wearing workers whose livelihood depends on continued demand for their often-maligned product.
In grand terms, the fight between Obama and Romney over energy policy centers on the role of federal regulators in protecting public health and promoting particular industries for the good of the country.
Obama has pressed for newer technologies such as wind and solar, arguing that they create a path away from dependence on foreign energy supplies. Romney says the same goal should be accomplished by increasing the use of oil, coal and natural gas reserves.
But in the fierce campaign for the two hotly contested states, where a few thousand votes could mean the difference in November's presidential election, their ideology has given way to a more basic consideration: local jobs."
Christi Parsons and Seema Mehta reports for the Los Angeles Times August 15, 2012.
SEE ALSO:
"Meet Paul Ryan: Climate Denier, Conspiracy Theorist, Koch Acolyte" (Forecast the Facts/Think Progress)
"Paul Ryan Slams Obama on Energy Policy as Romney Camp Prepares To Roll Out Medicare Ad" (Election 2012 blog/Washington Post)
"Paul Ryan: Not Exactly Gunning for the Green Vote" (Treehugger)
"Ryan Pick Seen Placating Conservatives Skeptical of Romney's Environmental Record" (Bloomberg BNA)
"Ryan Energy Views Seen Easing Conservatives’ Worries" (Bloomberg)
"Climate Change And Paul Ryan: Romney's VP Pick Irks Environmentalists" (Huffington Post)
"What To Expect When You’re Electing: Representative Paul Ryan" (DeSmogBlog)
"Do Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney Disagree on Climate Change?" (WonkBlog/Washington Post)
"Paul Ryan’s Environmental Record: Oil Profits Ahead of Green Innovation" (RevModo)
"Paul Ryan's Energy Record Elates Right, Deflates Greens" (Politico)
