Climate Politics Flashcards
Which candidate has made climate his central policy imperative?
Governor Jay Inslee
Governor Jay Inslee has introduced an energy plan, what is it?
Governor Inslee rolled out his Climate Mission Agenda: the Evergreen Economy Plan, which is a $9 trillion plan to create 8 million good jobs in the next 10 years, tackle economic inequality, and combat climate change.
What is in Jay Inslee’s plan?
The Evergreen Economy Plan focuses on 5 key strategies for economic growth:
Igniting America’s Clean Energy Economy
Building Sustainable & Climate-Smart Infrastructure
Leading the World in Clean Manufacturing
Investing in Innovation & Scientific Research
Ensuring Good Jobs with Family-Supporting Wages & Benefits
Beto O’Rourke has introduced a Climate plan, what is it?
A four-part framework to mobilize a historic $5 trillion over ten years, require net-zero emissions by 2050, and address the greatest threat we face. (https://betoorourke.com/climate-change/)
What’s in Beto’s plan?
1 Start Cutting Pollution on Day One and Taking Executive Actions to Lead on Climate
2 Mobilize $5 Trillion for Climate Change with Investment in Infrastructure, Innovation, and Our People and Communities
3 Guarantee our Net-Zero Emissions Ambition by 2050
4 Defend our Communities That Are Preparing for and Fighting Against Extreme Weather
What does Bernie Sanders want to do?
Sanders has not released a climate plan yet but calls for the elimination of trillions in oil and gas industry tax breaks and creating worker protections under a Green New Deal.
What has been Joe Biden’s approach?
Biden has said he would look for a “middle ground” solution to climate change but, after being criticized for this failure, he now has a plan commited to clean energy investments, path to net-zero emissions, and international leadership.
Which candidates have released a plan to combat climate change?
Jay Inslee, Elizabeth Warren, Beto O’Rourke, John Delaney, Michael Bennet, John Hickenlooper, and now Joe Biden.
Where does climate rate as an issue for Democratic voters?
Climate change has ranked as a top issue for Democratic primary voters in poll after poll.
What are some of the legislative bills proposed by Bernie Sanders?
Sanders sponsored a series of bills in 2015 including the Clean Energy Worker Just Transition Act that focuses on a clean energy training and investments for struggling Appalachian workers,
End Polluter Welfare Act closing $130 billion in fossil fuel tax breaks over the next decade
Climate Protection and Justice Act that sets a price on carbon to cut emissions 80 percent by 2050 (a general target progressive climate activists now have argued would do too little).
He’s cosponsored other ideas that have grown more mainstream in the Democratic Party, including Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley’s Keep it In the Ground Act focusing on fossil fuel production, and
100 by ’50 Act to reach 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.
What’s happening in Congress?
H.R.763 - Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019, introduced in January, 2019, and now has 54 co-sponsors.
What is HR 763?
This bill imposes a fee on the carbon content of fuels, including crude oil, natural gas, coal, or any other product derived from those fuels that will be used so as to emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
The fee is imposed on the producers or importers of the fuels and is equal to the greenhouse gas content of the fuel multiplied by the carbon fee rate. The rate begins at $15 in 2019, increases by $10 each year, and is subject to further adjustments based on the progress in meeting specified emissions reduction targets. The bill also imposes a specified fee on fluorinated greenhouse gases.
The bill includes: 1) exemptions for fuels used for agricultural or nonemitting purposes, 2) exemptions for fuels used by the Armed Forces, 3) rebates for facilities that capture and sequester carbon dioxide, and 4) border adjustment provisions that require certain fees or refunds for carbon-intensive products that are exported or imported.
The fees must be deposited into a Carbon Dividend Trust Fund and used for administrative expenses and dividend payments to U.S. citizens or lawful residents. The fees must be decommissioned when emissions levels and monthly dividend payments fall below specified levels.
The bill also suspends certain regulations that limit greenhouse gas emissions. The suspensions expire if the emissions targets established by this bill are not reached after a specified time period.
