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Today, the climate plan conversation continued, with a bold new intervention from @ClimateCrisis. The Democrats are getting serious about the climate crisis.
Let’s break down the Select Committee’s ideas in another edition of CLIMATE PLAN THREADS!
https://climatecrisis.house.gov/report
Let’s break down the Select Committee’s ideas in another edition of CLIMATE PLAN THREADS!
https://climatecrisis.house.gov/report
This is the biggest, most comprehensive climate plan from Congress since 2009. It shows that the committee has been listening to stakeholders, and has watched the Democratic primary carefully. Slowly, the Democrats are waking up to the urgency of the climate crisis!
First a brief history lesson from @drvox. Where did the committee come from? Pressure from @AOC + @sunrisemvmt for a real climate plan.
While there was initially lots of controversy over its mandate, the committee has been hard at work. And it shows! https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2020/6/30/21305891/aoc-climate-change-house-democrats-select-committee-report
While there was initially lots of controversy over its mandate, the committee has been hard at work. And it shows! https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2020/6/30/21305891/aoc-climate-change-house-democrats-select-committee-report
On the 3 biggest sectors — electricity, transportation and buildings (70% of emissions) — the plan is more ambitious than we have tended to see from Congress.
- 100% clean electricity by 2040
- 100% zero emissions car sales by 2035
- 100% clean new buildings by 2030
- 100% clean electricity by 2040
- 100% zero emissions car sales by 2035
- 100% clean new buildings by 2030
A particular shoutout is deserved for @jayinslee + @EvergreenAction. Their standards, investments + justice approach is all over this plan. Indeed, the committee staff directly credited the Governor and his team for helping shape their approach. https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-energy/2020/03/03/jay-inslees-climate-impact-785799
As @jnoisecat at @dataprogress argues, "so far the most encouraging detail has been House Democrats’ emphasis on environmental justice." https://www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2020/6/30/the-select-committee-on-the-climate-crisis-mixtape-is-good-actually
The independent, conservative estimates from @EnergyInnovLLC suggest that this plan would cut emissions by 37% by 2030.
This is close to what is necessary for the United States (45% by 2030), to help the globe limit warming to 1.5 °C.
This is close to what is necessary for the United States (45% by 2030), to help the globe limit warming to 1.5 °C.
Given my expertise, I’ll go deeper on electricity.
Recall the recent, fantastic report that showed 90% clean electricity by 2035 is doable. That puts 100% by 2040 well within reach. https://twitter.com/leahstokes/status/1270810876971331586
Recall the recent, fantastic report that showed 90% clean electricity by 2035 is doable. That puts 100% by 2040 well within reach. https://twitter.com/leahstokes/status/1270810876971331586
In truth, we may be able to go faster on electricity. But I’m increasingly less fixated on '100%' than the trajectory. Here’s why...
When it comes to decarbonizing our electricity grid, it’s the journey as much as the destination.
The point is the slope of change *now*, particularly if we are growing the grid to electrify buildings and transportation simultaneously. https://democracyjournal.org/magazine/56/cleaning-up-the-electricity-system/
The point is the slope of change *now*, particularly if we are growing the grid to electrify buildings and transportation simultaneously. https://democracyjournal.org/magazine/56/cleaning-up-the-electricity-system/
I've made this point many times through the narwhal curve.
Here's our to do list: deploy as much clean energy and transmission as fast as possible. https://twitter.com/leahstokes/status/1254795303502245891
Here's our to do list: deploy as much clean energy and transmission as fast as possible. https://twitter.com/leahstokes/status/1254795303502245891
And in this, the plan is smart. As @bradplumer pointed out, it recognizes our existing tools (ITC/PTC both tragically sunsetting!) are not moving us fast enough. Instead it proposes “direct pay” AKA “grants” AKA the “1603 program.” That would be huge!
Overall, the plan doesn’t focus enough on what we do with existing fossil fuel infrastructure. As far as I could tell, securitization and nationalization were not even used in the report! Maybe the assumption is a price on carbon does enough? Unclear. https://blog.ucsusa.org/jeremy-richardson/securitization-can-help-achieve-just-transition-for-coal-communities
When it comes to eliminating methane leakage (goal: 90% reduction by 2030) or fossil fuel subsidies + tax breaks, I don’t see the same boldness.
As @dharnanoor said, "all fossil fuel subsidies should be eliminated to really address the crisis." https://earther.gizmodo.com/house-democrats-climate-plan-is-finally-here-doesnt-to-1844208889
As @dharnanoor said, "all fossil fuel subsidies should be eliminated to really address the crisis." https://earther.gizmodo.com/house-democrats-climate-plan-is-finally-here-doesnt-to-1844208889
It’s understandable and perhaps smart to focus more on the positive side of the equation—job creation and clean energy—than the negative side—transitioning economies and shutting down fossil fuels. Yet: we need both. See this evergreen (pun intended) plan. https://www.jayinslee.com/issues/freedom-from-fossil-fuels
It's also encouraging to see Democrats frame climate change as an opportunity for American leadership in innovation and manufacturing. This is fundamentally true. See this great new analysis from @SierraClub. We can have millions of new clean energy jobs! https://www.sierraclub.org/trade/millions-good-jobs-plan-for-economic-renewal
I am also heartened to see the emphasis on innovating carbon removal technology, since atmospheric levels of carbon pollution are already dangerously high.
Overall, this is a very ambitious and detailed plan from the House Democrats. Were it to be implemented, we would have a hope of taking on the climate crisis at the scale and pace necessary!
I encourage you to dive into the 500+ pages yourself! /FIN https://climatecrisis.house.gov/report
I encourage you to dive into the 500+ pages yourself! /FIN https://climatecrisis.house.gov/report
