What with high gas prices and global warming concerns, energy policy is sure to evoke a spirited discussion during the presidential campaign.

Both presidential candidates are advancing ideas in that area and share some similar goals, the Wall Street Journal noted recently.

They are: lessening America's need for foreign oil, capping greenhouse gas emissions, combating global warming and increasing the use of nuclear power.

But the hopefuls disagree on ways to achieve their objectives, the Journal's Stephen Power points out. Essentially, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama believes government should lead the way while Republican Sen. John McCain favors relying on the marketplace and minimizing government interference.

Sen. McCain has voted against mandates, tax credits and other means of encouraging the use of alternative energy while Sen. Obama has supported such measures. Mr. McCain is wary of subsidizing special interests. He opposes the federal tax credit for ethanol and requiring electric utilities to increase their use of renewable energy sources, believing that states and cities should set their own targets in that area.

Stating his position recently on tax credits for wind and solar energy, Sen. McCain said: "I'm a little wary — I have to give you straight talk — about government subsidies. When government jumps in and distorts the market, then there's unintended consequences as well as intended.

Sen. Obama takes the opposite approach. He would invest $150 billion in alternative fuels in the next 10 years and require that the United States acquire 25 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources.

The Illinois senator says the United States must take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He wants to expand the use of nuclear energy, but says the United States must find a way to dispose of nuclear waste safely. He is against the Bush administration's plan to store waste at Yucca Mountain, Nev. Sen. McCain supports it.

As for greenhouse gases, Sen. McCain wants to see a 60 percent reduction from 1990 levels by mid-century. Sen. Obama seeks 80 percent reduction.

The next president will have to make some major decisions in energy policy. Americans would do well to heed what the candidates are proposing.