FACTBOX: U.S. presidential candidates on energy issues

Tue Nov 4, 2008 7:03pm GMT
 
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(Reuters) - U.S. energy policy has become a major issue for the 2008 presidential campaigns after high energy costs added to consumer woes this year and both parties seek to reduce dependence on foreign oil.

Here is a look at what Democratic candidate Barack Obama and Republican rival John McCain are saying about energy issues.

OFFSHORE DRILLING

Obama opposed lifting the congressional moratorium on drilling in federal lands off U.S. coasts, but now says he would support limited expanded offshore drilling as a part of broader legislation to help solve America's energy problems.

McCain supports expanding offshore drilling to tap the estimated 18 billion barrels of oil on the U.S. outer continental shelf. "We can do this in ways that are consistent with sensible standards of environmental protection," he said.

STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE

McCain opposes releasing oil from the emergency stockpile unless there is a serious supply disruption.

Earlier in the campaign, Obama opposed releasing oil from the reserve unless there was a severe supply disruption, but he now supports releasing 70 million barrels of light sweet crude, which would be replaced later with heavier crude.

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