As Primary season continues to heat up, presidential hopefuls from both the GOP and Democratic parties are doing everything they can to distinguish themselves from the rest of the field. In an age of political polarization, this can lead to big splits, even between party members. Here is how the 2016 candidates stand regarding America’s future energy and climate policies.
Top G.O.P. Candidates
Senator Ted Cruz – “I will embrace an energy policy that utilizes the bountiful resources in this land – from oil to natural gas to ethanol – producing abundant and affordable gas and electricity resources. We are on the verge of an American energy renaissance, and I will lift the regulations that are prohibiting exploration, the Keystone pipeline, and job creation.”
While Sen. Cruz’s campaign website does not have any information regarding his energy or environment policies, you can take a look at the other issues he is running on at (www.tedcruz.org/issues). Though his campaign website doesn’t mention energy or the environment, you can see where he stood on the issues during his time in the senate by visiting his senate website (www.cruz.senate.gov).
Senator Marco Rubio – “We aren’t going to destroy our economy now the way the Left Wing Government we are under now wants to do. … Every proposal they put forward are going to be proposals that make it harder to do business in America, that will make it harder to create jobs in America. Single parents are already struggling across this country to provide for their families. Maybe a billionaire here in California can afford an increase in their utility rates, but a working family in Tampa, Florida, cannot afford it. So, we are not going to destroy our economy. We are not going to make America a harder place to create jobs, in order to pursue policies that will do absolutely nothing, nothing to change our climate, to change our weather. Because America is a lot of things, the greatest country in the world, absolutely, but America is not a planet. And we are not even the largest carbon producer anymore, China is. And they’re drilling a hole and digging anywhere in the world that they can get a hold of. So, the bottom line is, I am not in favor of any policies that make America a harder place for people to live, or to work, or to raise their families.
Rubio has a three-point energy plan that will:
1. Optimize America’s Resources
2. Minimize Government Bureaucracy
3. Maximize Private Innovation
For a more information about Sen. Rubio’s plan, visit https://marcorubio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/POWERING-THE-NEW-AMERICAN-CENTURY-FINAL-1.pdf.
To visit Sen. Rubio’s energy policy proposal page, visit https://marcorubio.com/issues-2/energy-policy-proposals/.
Donald Trump – “It’s called weather changes and you have storm and you have rain and you have beautiful days.”
While Mr. Trump’s campaign website does not have any information regarding his energy or environment policies, he has made it clear in the past that he is believes that global warming is a “hoax.” For more information about the candidate on his website, visit www.donaldjtrump.com/issues.
Top Democratic Candidates
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton – “I won’t let anyone take us backward, deny our economy the benefits of harnessing a clean energy future, or force our children to endure the catastrophe that would result from unchecked climate change.”
Sec. Clinton’s plan will:
1. Create good paying jobs by making the United States the clean energy superpower of the 21st century.
2. Set national goals to have 500 million solar panels installed; generate enough renewable energy to power every home in America; cut energy waste in homes, schools, and hospitals by a third; and reduce American oil consumption by a third.
3. Lead the world in the fight against climate change by brining green house gas emissions to 3 percent below what they were in 2005 within the next decade – and keep going.
For more about Secretary Clinton’s plan, visit https://www.hillaryclinton.com/briefing/factsheets/2016/02/02/advanced-buildings/. To visit Secretary Clinton’s climate change and clean energy page, visit www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/climate.
Senator Bernie Sanders – “The scientists are virtually unanimous that climate change is real, is caused by human activity and is already causing devastating problems in the United States and around the world. And, the tell us, if we do not act boldly the situation will only become much worse in years to come in terms of drought, floods, extreme storms and acidification of the oceans. Sadly, we now have a Republican Party that is more concerned about protecting the profits of Exxon, BP and Shell and the coal industry than protecting the planet. While fossil fuel companies are raking in record profits, climate change ravages our planet and out people – all because the wealthiest industry in the history of our planet has bribed politicians into ignoring science.”
Sen. Sanders will:
1. Reclaim our democracy from the billionaire fossil fuel lobby
2. Accelerate a just transition away from fossil fuels
3. Invest in clean, sustainable energy
4. Revolutionize our electric and transportation infrastructure
5. Lead the international community to solve climate change and prevent international conflict
For more information about Sen. Sanders’ plan, visit https://berniesanders.com/issues/climate-change/. To visit Sen. Sanders’ climate change policy page, visit https://berniesanders.com/people-before-polluters/.
https://www.facebook.com/Tedcampaigning/posts/1166172320059540
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LODrlE-genA
http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/24/politics/donald-trump-pope-francis-immigration-climate-change/