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In honor of @KamalaHarris' big announcement, I'm digging into my archives and reposting my thread on her climate plan!
Where did she stand on climate in the primary? She was big on environmental justice and accountability for polluters. https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/04/kamala-harris-climate-change-1479993
Where did she stand on climate in the primary? She was big on environmental justice and accountability for polluters. https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/04/kamala-harris-climate-change-1479993
The @KamalaHarris plan had five big planks. The first two highlighted her previous work and particular focus: environmental justice and legal approaches to holding polluters accountable. Let’s dive into her plans in these areas.
On environmental justice, the plan said: clean air and clean water are a right for all Americans, in black and brown communities alike; we should stand up for Indigenous rights; and we must reverse Trump’s environmental rollbacks.
The plan also explained the bill that @KamalaHarris and @AOC co-sponsored last summer (and reintroduced last week), the Climate Equity Act. It would ensure that frontline communities have a seat at the climate policymaking table. https://insideclimatenews.org/news/05082020/kamala-harris-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-climate-equity-bill
. @KamalaHarris has a record of focusing on environmental justice as Attorney General of San Francisco and California. She started an environmental protection unit, and criminally prosecuted the pipeline company responsible for the 2015 Santa Barbara oil spill.
Here’s @ValerieVolco reporting from last year on @KamalaHarris’ history of working on environmental justice. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-harris/presidential-hopeful-harris-climate-plan-to-draw-on-her-experience-suing-polluters-sources-idUSKCN1VI1XL
Which brings us to the next big focus of @KamalaHarris’ plan: holding polluters accountable. Here she got into the weeds on EPA enforcement in partnership with the states. She said that her Administration would give the DOJ the directive and resources to pursue polluters.
Like @JayInslee, who got a shout out in her plan, @KamalaHarris is wise to go after polluters. We must remove their social license to operate. Going after them legally, like the DOJ did with Big Tobacco under Clinton, might just bring them to the table. https://www.jayinslee.com/issues/freedom-from-fossil-fuels
While a carbon tax was in her plan, it’s wasn't the centerpiece. She proposed a fee on polluters as far upstream as possible. That’s easier to implement, covers more sources, and makes it harder for polluters to pass costs to consumers. Revenues would be invested in communities.
The @KamalaHarris climate plan had three other planks: building a clean energy economy; protecting natural resources; and, asserting international leadership on climate change.
Her targets and timetables were right with the rest of the field: 100% carbon-neutral electricity by 2030, and a carbon neutral economy by 2045—targets that @ewarren and @CoryBooker endorsed at the same time.
And now @JoeBiden has a plan for 100% CLEAN ELECTRICITY BY 2035!!!
And now @JoeBiden has a plan for 100% CLEAN ELECTRICITY BY 2035!!!
The @KamalaHarris climate plan had lots of other BIG IDEAS:
- protecting 30% of US lands and oceans by 2030
- low carbon leisure through making sure more communities are walking distance to a park
- linking trade and climate
- welcoming climate refugees
AND MORE!
- protecting 30% of US lands and oceans by 2030
- low carbon leisure through making sure more communities are walking distance to a park
- linking trade and climate
- welcoming climate refugees
AND MORE!
Today, we've got lots of environmental groups celebrating this choice. I think with VP Harris, we will see a big focus on environmental justice and accountability for polluters. And that sounds good to me! https://twitter.com/ayanaeliza/status/1293389281667321858
