Candidate touts energy reform

During a speech at a public library on the East Coast last week U.S. Sen. Barack Obama unveiled an aggressive plan he claims will make the United States a world leader when it comes to energy.

Pointing to years of broken promises during the last four presidencies, the Democratic candidate told the audience his administration will be committed to addressing the challenges of global warming and foreign dependence on oil.

Among the specifics of his plan, the presidential hopeful proposed investing $150 billion over the next 10 years to develop climate-friendly energy supplies. Obama also said he will implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to levels recommended by top scientists.