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Saturday, November 21, 2009   47º F

Updated 08/04/2008 09:15 PM

McCain, Obama spar over energy plans

By: Erin Billups

UNITED STATES -- Senator Obama was in Michigan Monday outlining his plan to cure America's addiction to foreign oil. Senator McCain later gave his rebuttal. Of course, they both say the other's proposal is flawed.

Obama says his major goal is to end the country's dependence on oil from the Middle East and Venezuela. His plan includes relief from high gas prices through an emergency energy relief rebate for Americans, paid for by taxing the windfall profits of big oil companies. He also wants one million plug-in Hybrid cars on the road by 2015 and proposes a $150 billion investment into renewable energy sources.

Obama says Washington politicians have failed for over 30 years to deal with the energy crisis and says John McCain among them. It also seems the Illinois Senator has changed his mind on a few key energy proposals including tapping into the nation's emergency oil supply and offshore drilling, saying compromises need to be made to move the country toward energy independence.

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"We can and should increase our domestic production of oil and natural gas. But we should start by telling the oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres they currently have access to but haven't touched. And if they don't use it they should lose it," Obama said.

While touring a Pennsylvania label factory Monday, McCain says there needs to be an "all of the above approach" to the nation's energy crisis, saying the country must aggressively develop alternative energies like wind, solar, tide and biofuels. He also supports expanding domestic energy sources, including nuclear and clean coal technology and off-shore drilling for oil and natural gas.

McCain says Obama isn't being realistic about how to solve the energy problem, taking a jab at the democrat's recent energy saving tips for consumers.

"He continues to oppose the use of nuclear power. These misguided policies would result in higher energy costs to American families and businesses, and increase dependence on foreign oil. We're not going to achieve energy independence by inflating our tires," McCain said.

McCain will talk more on his plan to expand nuclear power while in Michigan Tuesday.