Rick Nelson

Obama would establish national CTO, supports nuclear electric technologies

Barack Obama has responded to questions from Science Debate 2008, saying he would establish a national chief technology officer. He also said he supports the development of a new generation of nuclear electric technologies that address cost, safety, waste disposal, and proliferation risks.

Here is a summary of how he responded to seven questions (of Science Debate 2008’s 14 total) that I highlighted (and paraphrased) in an earlier post ("For candidates, computer literacy optional, answers mandatory"):

• What policies will you support to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation?

“Our talent for innovation is still the envy of the world, but we face unprecedented challenges that demand new approaches,” he says. “For example, the US annually imports $53 billion more in advanced technology products than we export. China is now the world’s number one high technology exporter.” He proposes increased funding for basic research, increased grants for early-career researchers, and improved STEM education. In addition, he would make R&D tax credits permanent.

• What policies would you support to meet demand for energy while ensuring an economically and environmentally sustainable future?

“There can no longer be any doubt that human activities are influencing the global climate, and we must react quickly and effectively,” he says, calling for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels) by 2050. In addition to developing a new generation of nuclear-electric technologies, he calls for new vehicle technologies to reduce oil consumption, a digital smart gird, and new technologies for capturing and sequestering greenhouse gases. He would move to increase new-building efficiency by 50% and increase fuel-economy standards by 4% per year. He advocates requiring that 10% of American electricity be derived from renewable resources by 2012, with the percentage rising to 25% by 2025.

• What role do you think the federal government should play in preparing K–12 students for the science and technology driven 21st century?

“All American citizens need high-quality STEM education that inspires them to know more about the world around them, engages them in exploring challenging questions, and involves them in high quality intellectual work,” he says. “STEM education is no longer only for those pursuing STEM careers; it should enable all citizens to solve problems, collaborate, weigh evidence, and communicate ideas.” He advocates passage of the "Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education Act of 2008," which would “establish a STEM Education Committee within the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to coordinate the efforts of federal agencies engaged in STEM education…” When students finish their studies, he said, “I will make sure that through the new $4000 American Opportunity Tax Credit, they will have access to affordable higher education that will provide them with the science fluency they need to be leaders in STEM fields and across broad sectors of our society.”

• What is your view of how science and technology can best be used to ensure national security?

“When Sputnik was launched in 1957, President Eisenhower used the event as a call to arms for Americans to help secure our country and to increase the number of students studying math and science via the National Defense Education Act,” he says. “That educational base not only improved our national security and space programs but also led to our economic growth and innovation over the second half of the century. Our nation is again hearing a threatening ‘ping’ in the distance, this time not from a single satellite in space but instead from threats that range from asymmetric conflicts to cyber attacks, biological terror, and nuclear proliferation. I will lead the nation to be prepared to meet this 21st century challenge by investing again in math and science education, which is vital to protecting our national security and our competitiveness.” He proposes renewing DARPA and reversing the erosion of the US manufacturing base.

• The study of Earth from space can yield important information about climate change…. How would you prioritize space in your administration?

“As president, I will establish a robust and balanced civilian space program. Under my administration, NASA not only will inspire the world with both human and robotic space exploration, but also will again lead in confronting the challenges we face here on Earth, including global climate change, energy independence, and aeronautics research,” he says. He advocates re-establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Council to oversee and coordinate civilian, military, commercial, and national-security space activities.

• Is it acceptable for elected officials to hold back or alter scientific reports if they conflict with their own views, and how will you balance scientific information with politics and personal beliefs in your decision making?

“I will restore the basic principle that government decisions should be based on the best- available, scientifically-valid evidence and not on the ideological predispositions of agency officials or political appointees,” he says, adding, “I have already established an impressive team of science advisors, including several Nobel Laureates, who are helping me to shape a robust science agenda for my administration.” He says he would “…establish the nation’s first chief technology officer (CTO) to ensure that our government and all its agencies have the right infrastructure, policies, and services for the 21st century. The CTO will lead an interagency effort on best-in-class technologies, sharing of best practices, and safeguarding of our networks…” He also said he would strengthen the role of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), and he says he supports strengthening protection for whistle blowers.

• What priority would you give to investment in basic research in upcoming budgets?

“Federally supported basic research, aimed at understanding many features of nature— from the size of the universe to subatomic particles, from the chemical reactions that support a living cell to interactions that sustain ecosystems—has been an essential feature of American life for over fifty years,” he says, adding, “I believe that continued investment in fundamental research is essential for ensuring healthier lives, better sources of energy, superior military capacity, and high-wage jobs for our nation’s future.” He adds, “As president, I will increase funding for basic research in physical and life sciences, mathematics, and engineering at a rate that would double basic research budgets over the next decade.” The goal, he says, is to “…harness science and technology to address the ‘grand challenges’ of the 21st century: energy, health, food and water, national security, information technology, and manufacturing capacity.”

Read the complete answers at Science Debate 2008. I hope to be able to post about John McCain's answers soon. (He has yet to respond.)

By the way, there is no mention of where Obama stands on the metric system.

Posted by Rick Nelson on September 2, 2008 | Comments (4)