Dodd makes pitch to environmentalists

CONCORD, N.H. -- US Senator Chris Dodd met with environmental activists today, telling them that he would use the clout of the presidency to make energy and the environment key issues.

"The power of the presidency is not just the regulations in the agencies you can impose, but it is also the 'bully pulpit' and the example you can set," Dodd said to about 50 people at the Sierra Club's New Hampshire headquarters.

Dodd has among the most aggressive energy plans of all the presidential candidates. He wants to set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050. In order to accomplish this he would tax companies based on how much carbon pollution they produce.

He also said that as president he would require the entire fleet of government vehicles to be more energy efficient and elevate the Environmental Protection Agency to be a cabinet level post.