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McCain Pushes for Lower Auto Emissions; Obama Takes on Oil Speculators


U.S. Republican presidential hopeful John McCain has outlined his latest proposals to fight global warming and reduce American dependence on foreign oil.

In a town hall meeting Monday in Fresno, California, Senator McCain called on auto manufacturers to speed up the process of converting engines to use alcohol-based fuels. He proposed a $5,000 tax credit for each consumer who buys a zero-emissions car, and higher fines for automakers who evade existing fuel-efficiency standards.

Questioned by an audience member about nuclear power, he said the United States has to have it in order to reduce greenhouse gases.

On Sunday, Obama proposed a clampdown on energy speculation, which he says is largely responsible for record-high oil prices. His proposal would close a legal provision that exempts energy commodities from government oversight.

Obama's proposal would close a legal provision that exempts energy commodities from government oversight.

Critics say the deregulation measure, signed in 2000 by then-President Bill Clinton, opened the way to uncontrolled speculation in the oil markets.

The high price of gasoline in the United States is a prominent campaign issue. McCain wants Congress to lift a ban on offshore oil drilling to help ease the costs, while Obama says such a measure would not help the problem in the short term.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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