CONCORD, N.H. (AP) _ Presidential hopeful Chris Dodd told environmental activists they could usurp the title of "the greatest generation" from World War II veterans by saving the planet.
"How about a future generation talking about us turning this planet into a paradise?" said Dodd, a veteran of the U.S. Senate. "We've done so much damage in such a short time. ... This is not irreversible. We can all make a difference."
Dodd earlier this year split from his Democratic presidential rivals and proposed to tax corporations for their carbon dioxide emissions. He is seeking a steep increase in auto fuel economy standards to 50 miles per gallon by 2017 and requiring the government to use clean-energy vehicles.
Activists have hailed it as a model. Dodd's proposal sets a goal of reducing 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The tax revenue, which he estimates at about $50 billion annually, would be used to develop renewable energies and to reduce prices for consumer products. . . .
