Public Policy 2024
U.S. Presidential Election
Kamala Harris
Democrat
Climate Change
“As Vice President, she cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate action in history. This historic work is lowering household energy costs, creating hundreds of thousands of high-quality clean energy jobs, and building a thriving clean energy economy, all while ensuring America’s energy security and independence with record energy production.”
Harris Campaign Website 09-11-24:
https://kamalaharris.com/issues/
As a U.S. senator, Harris was an early co-sponsor of the Green New Deal, a non-binding blueprint for transitioning the country to 100% clean energy within a decade.
S.Res.59 — 116th Congress (2019-2020):
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/59
“The goal of the Paris Agreement is simple: reduce the use of fossil fuels in order to address climate change. Along with nearly 200 others countries, the United States pledged to reduce carbon emissions by at least 26% from 2005 levels by 2025. Abandoning this agreement would be catastrophic for our future and our children’s future.”
Kamala Harris Facebook 04-18-17:
https://www.facebook.com/KamalaHarris/posts/the-goal-of-the-paris-agreement-is-simple-reduce-the-use-of-fossil-fuels-in-orde/10155554512447923/
Energy
“I believe it is very important that we take seriously what we must do to guard against what is a clear crisis in terms of the climate. And to do that, we can do what we have accomplished thus far. The Inflation Reduction Act; probably a trillion dollars over the next 10 years, investing in a clean energy economy. That tells me we can do it without banning fracking. In fact, I cast the tie-breaking vote that actually increased leases for fracking as Vice President.”
“What I’ve seen is that we can grow and we can increase a thriving clean energy economy without banning fracking.”
CNN Interview 08-29-24:
https://youtu.be/Dl9gPBasyv4
Water
“Every person in our nation deserves access to clean water, and every community in our nation deserves water security.”
“As a United States senator, I introduced legislation to advance smart water policy, to invest in efficiency and recycling technology, and to take on the problem of lead pipes.”
“Water insecurity makes our world less stable. Many of our most fundamental national security interests depend on water security. The Action Plan on Global Water Security will cement America’s role of leadership on water security issues.”
Whitehouse Briefing 06-01-22:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/06/01/remarks-by-vice-president-harris-at-global-water-security-white-house-action-plan-event/
Donald Trump
Republican
Climate Change
Q: Given the amount of the mounting evidence of climate change, do you still believe it’s a hoax?
Trump: “The real global warming that we have to worry about is nuclear. The water is coming up an eighth of an inch over 300 years, the ocean is gonna rise and, you know, nobody knows if that’s true or not, but they’re worried about the ocean rising an eighth of an inch or a quarter of an inch in 300 years.”
Univision Noticias Town Hall 10-16-24 [0:43:40]:
https://www.youtube.com/live/F3tvZi5fTZw
“You use the word ‘global warming’ and today they use the word ‘climate change’ because y’know you have some places that go up so they were getting themselves in a little trouble with the word ‘global warming’ ’cause not every place is warming, some places are going the opposite direction.”
Interview with Elon Musk 08-12-24 [1:16:00]:
https://youtu.be/QzWjFzRMQNANote: “Global warming” refers to the trending rise in global temperatures. “Climate change” refers to the increasing changes in the measures of climate over a long period of time – including precipitation, temperature, and wind patterns.
“They’ve spent trillions of dollars on things having to do with the Green New scam. It’s a scam. All of the trillions of dollars that are sitting there not yet spent, we will re-direct that money for important projects like roads, bridges, dams and we will not allow it to be spent on meaningless Green New scam ideas.”
Bloomberg TV Rally Footage 07-18-24:
https://youtu.be/bGuVVyM4Stk
The Trump Administration Rolled Back More Than 100 Environmental Rules
New York Times Article 01-20-21:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/climate/trump-environment-rollbacks-list.html
“Brutal and Extended Cold Blast could shatter ALL RECORDS – Whatever happened to Global Warming?”
Tweet 11-21-18:
https://x.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1065400254151954432
“The United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord but begin negotiations to reenter either the Paris Accord or a really entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers. So we’re getting out. But we will start to negotiate, and we will see if we can make a deal that’s fair. And if we can, that’s great. And if we can’t, that’s fine.”
Whitehouse Briefing 06-01-17:
https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-trump-paris-climate-accord/
Energy
“You [referring to Kamala Harris] believe in things like, we’re not going to frack, we’re not going to take fossil fuel, we’re not going to do things that are going make this country strong, whether you like it or not. Germany tried that, and within one year, they were back to building normal energy plants.”
ABC News Presidential Debate 09-10-24 [1:43:00]:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRh6598RmHM
Fact Check from Germany’s Foreign Ministry 09-11-24: “Like it or not: Germany’s energy system is fully operational, with more than 50% renewables. And we are shutting down – not building – coal & nuclear plants. Coal will be off the grid by 2038 at the latest. #Debate2024”
https://x.com/GermanyDiplo/status/1833808396618764327
“Under President Trump, the U.S. became the Number One Producer of Oil and Natural Gas in the World — and we will soon be again by lifting restrictions on American Energy Production and terminating the Socialist Green New Deal. Republicans will unleash Energy Production from all sources, including nuclear, to immediately slash Inflation and power American homes, cars, and factories with reliable, abundant, and affordable Energy.”
“Republicans will increase Energy Production across the board, streamline permitting, and end market-distorting restrictions on Oil, Natural Gas, and Coal. The Republican Party will once again make America Energy Independent, and then Energy Dominant, lowering Energy prices even below the record lows achieved during President Trump’s first term.”
RNC Website via Trump Website 09-11-24:
https://rncplatform.donaldjtrump.com/
Water
“The Trump administration on Thursday ended federal protection for many of the nation’s millions of miles of streams, arroyos and wetlands, a sweeping environmental rollback that could leave the waterways more vulnerable to pollution from development, industry and farms.”
“The policy change, signed by heads of the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, narrows the types of waterways that qualify for federal protection under the half-century-old Clean Water Act.”
Associated Press Article 01-23-20:
https://apnews.com/article/2386f9f4af34d81ae32629dead464af3
U.S. Senate Elections
There are 33 U.S. Senate seats up for regular election in 2024. We are starting with the most consequential races and building from there. If you have any additions or corrections, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear your input!
Colin Allred
Texas [D]
Climate Change
“We can protect our environment, combat climate change, lower energy costs and incentivize economic growth simultaneously. We need an all-of-the-above energy strategy that keeps costs low and helps create a more reliable electric grid.”
Allred Campaign Website 09-17-24:
https://colinallred.com/on-the-issues/
Energy
“For the last one hundred years Texas has been an energy leader and Colin will continue to support responsible oil and gas production as he has done during his time in Congress.”
“Colin knows that to continue our status as the number one energy producing state, Texas can and should lead on renewable and clean energy, creating good-paying jobs for hard-working Texans and protecting the planet for future generations. We are already doing it with wind and solar energy – Texas leads the nation in wind energy production and is second in solar energy production.“
Allred Campaign Website 09-17-24:
https://colinallred.com/on-the-issues/
Water
Q: What can you do to make sure Texas doesn’t run out of water?
Allred: “There’s multiple components to this. There’s a foreign policy one, which is we have to make sure Mexico keeps their commitments and releases the water that the valley relies on. There is an infrastructure challenge. Here in Texas we waste billions of gallons of water to faulty, aging infrastructure. This is something we try to address and the money is starting to come in with the infrastructure bill that I voted for, and Ted Cruz voted against. And then there’s efficiency and making sure that what we have we’re using more wisely.”
“When it comes to things like that [growth of cities] you have to plan decades in advance. This is why it’s important to have people who are serious about investing in what comes next. So when you see the bipartisan infrastructure bill… it’s going into our water infrastructure, it’s going into our roads and bridges, into our airports, our ports of entry… And also resiliency for the extreme weather events that we know we’re going to be experiencing.”
Colin Allred on The Bulwark Podcast 09-09-24 [0:51:30]:
https://youtu.be/OvDxy2wOlXs
Ted Cruz
Texas [R]
Climate Change
League of Conservation Voters Scorecard:
Lifetime Score – 3% | 2023 Score – 6%
Indicating an anti-environment voting record.
LCV Website 09-24-24:
https://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/ted-cruz
“Issues: Energy, Water, Environment”
Cruz Senate Website 09-17-24:
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/about/issues/energy-environmentNote: While the web page heading states “Energy, Water, Environment”, there is no policy information about water or the environment at the time of this post.
“Joe Biden and Biden officials have proven time and time again that they care more about their radical climate agenda the needs of the American people.”
Press Release 05-28-24:
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/american-energy-groups-applaud-sen-cruz-introduction-of-legislation-to-strike-down-biden-natural-gas-tax
“According to the satellite data, there has been no significant global warming for the past 18 years. Those are the data. The global warming alarmists don’t like these data – they are inconvenient to their narrative. But facts and evidence matter.”
Press Release 12-08-15:
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-confronts-the-dogma-of-climate-change-alarmism
Energy
“Sen. Cruz has long fought to encourage and maintain an all-of-the-above approach that fueled the American energy renaissance we were experiencing before the pandemic, including the thousands of blue collar jobs that depend on a thriving energy industry. He has long fought to protect Texas’ oil and energy sector and will continue to fight back against the Biden administration and Big Businesses out to destroy the American energy industry and the millions of blue-collar jobs across Texas and the nation with it.”
Cruz Senate Website 09-17-24:
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/about/issues/energy-environment
Water
“U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz released the following statement after voting to support the 2022 Water Resources Development Act”
“Strong coastal protection and water infrastructure is vital not just for the Texas Gulf Coast, but for the economy of the entire Lone Star State. I was proud to fight for the needs of Texans, and make sure that the Houston and Corpus Christi communities have the resources and tools they need to further economic development and public safety. I look forward to using my position in the U.S. Senate to continue fighting for policies like this, not just for the Texas Gulf Coast and our port communities and employers, but for Texans across the state.”
Press Release 07-29-22:
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-secures-major-victories-for-texas-communities-in-2022-water-resources-development-act
“This bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out activities concerning water resources development projects, ecosystem restoration, flood control, water supply and wastewater infrastructure, or navigation.”
S.4136 — 117th Congress (2021-2022):
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/4136
Lucas Kunce
Missouri [D]
Climate Change
“Lucas Kunce has been a champion for protecting Missouri farmland, creating next-generation energy jobs, and conserving the state’s natural resources, and will continue to do so for communities across Missouri and the country.”
“As a national security leader, Kunce understands the threats of the climate crisis and the need for clean energy independence. We’re proud to endorse Lucas Kunce’s campaign because he will work to put people over polluters and fight for a more just and equitable democracy for all.”
Press Release 09-25-23 [LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld]:
https://lucaskunce.com/news/2023/09/25/lucas-kunce-endorsed-by-league-of-conservation-voters/
LCV Action Fund: The League of Conservation Voters works to elect leaders who stand up for a clean, healthy environment and to defeat anti-environment candidates who oppose climate action.
Energy
“Politicians in Washington have let Big Oil and Big Ag strip our communities for parts, ship our jobs overseas, send us to forever wars, and obliterate the middle class.”
Press Release 09-25-23:
https://lucaskunce.com/news/2023/09/25/lucas-kunce-endorsed-by-league-of-conservation-voters/
“The National-Security Case for Decarbonization – Getting off fossil fuels will save a fortune in averted military misadventures.”
Article by Lucas Kunce 02-10-21:
https://prospect.org/environment/national-security-case-for-decarbonization/
Water
The author could not find any water-specific policy information at the time of this post 09-20-24.
Josh Hawley
Missouri [R]
Climate Change
League of Conservation Voters Scorecard:
Lifetime Score – 4% | 2023 Score – 0%
Indicating an extremely anti-environment voting record.
LCV Website 09-20-24:
https://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/joshua-hawley
Energy
Senator Hawley serves on the Energy and Natural Resources Senate Committee
U.S. Senate Website 09-20-24:
https://www.senate.gov/general/committee_membership/committee_memberships_SSEG.htm
Water
“Josh Hawley leads demanding rollback of Biden’s new WOTUS Rule”
The Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule is a regulation that defines which bodies of water are subject to federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act (CWA).
KFVS12 Article and News Clip 01-26-23:
https://www.kfvs12.com/2023/01/27/hawley-leads-demanding-rollback-bidens-new-wotus-rule/
Sherrod Brown
Ohio [D]
Climate Change
League of Conservation Voters Scorecard:
Lifetime Score – 94% | 2023 Score – 88%
Indicating a positive environment voting record.
LCV Website 09-21-24:
https://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/sherrod-c-brown
“Throughout my career I have fought to protect and conserve our natural resources. We have made our air cleaner to breathe and our water safer to drink, but environmental stewardship is an ongoing responsibility.”
Brown Website 09-21-24:
https://www.brown.senate.gov/issues/protecting-our-natural-resources
“Climate Change is Here, We Must Act Now”
“It’s here for Ohio teachers and students forced to work in schools without air conditioning in 90-plus degree heat, for more and more days at both ends of the school year. “
“It’s here for Ohio farmers, many of whom lost an entire growing season in 2019 because of extreme rain, and who will soon be forced to learn to grow crops that used to be better suited to Arkansas than to Ohio.”
Press Release 08-04-22:
https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/sherrod-brown-climate-change-is-here-we-must-act-now
Energy
“I’ve always refused to accept the idea that we have to choose between good environmental policy and good-paying jobs. We can take aggressive action to combat climate change, and put Americans to work. Done right, we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil, safeguard our environment, and increase the competitiveness of Ohio manufacturing.”
Brown Website 09-21-24:
https://www.brown.senate.gov/issues/energy
“The likely impacts of climate change could cost Ohioans nearly $6 billion a year.”
“It’s why we have to act now to grow the renewable energy economy, and to make our communities more resilient to climate disasters.”
Press Release 08-04-22:
https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/sherrod-brown-climate-change-is-here-we-must-act-now
Water
“Climate change is here – and the country knows it.”
“It’s here for Ohio cities and towns that draw their drinking water from Lake Erie, and face higher and higher costs from harmful algal blooms.”
Press Release 08-04-22:
https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/sherrod-brown-climate-change-is-here-we-must-act-now
Bernie Moreno
Ohio [R]
Climate Change
At the time of this post, there is no mention of climate or environmental policy on Moreno’s campaign website.
Moreno Campaign Website 09-21-24:
https://berniemoreno.com/why-im-running/
“LCV Victory Fund Names the 2024 Dirty Dozen”
“The Dirty Dozen program has highlighted candidates — regardless of party affiliation — who consistently side against the environment.”
“Moreno has made it crystal clear that he is fully on board with Trump’s dirty energy agenda.”
LCV Press Release 09-19-24:
https://www.lcvvictoryfund.org/news/lcv-victory-fund-names-the-2024-dirty-dozen/
Energy
“This is Findlay, Ohio. This is the headquarters of Marathon Petroleum. We should be unleashing American energy and being an energy-dominant country. Instead, we have this move towards windmills, solar panels. We need coal, we need natural gas, we need oil. That’s gonna drive prices down.”
Ohio U.S. Senate Republican Primary Candidates’ Forum 02-19-24 [15:05]:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?533701-1/ohio-us-senate-republican-primary-candidates-forum
Water
At the time of this post, there is no mention of environmental water policy on Moreno’s campaign website.
Moreno Campaign Website 09-21-24:
https://berniemoreno.com/why-im-running/
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell
Florida [D]
Climate Change
“In Congress, Debbie represented South Florida, the Florida Keys, and the Everglades, and worked across the aisle to bring over $200 million to the state for environmental and Everglades preservation.”
“In the U.S. Senate, Debbie will fight for funding to help Florida build the climate-resilient infrastructure needed to fight climate change.”
“Debbie knows climate change is real and she is ready to take action to address the climate crisis that is impacting Floridians, their lives, and their property.”
Mucarsel-Powell Website 09-24-24:
https://www.debbieforflorida.com/issues
“Debbie is committed to tackling the high cost of homeowners insurance and fighting to stop climate change and extreme weather events that only hurt Florida’s economy and drive up prices.”
Press Release 05-20-24:
https://www.debbieforflorida.com/2024/05/20/debbie-mucarsel-powells-plan-to-lower-costs-for-floridians/
Energy
“Debbie will crack down on Big Oil price gouging through the Gas Price Gouging Prevention Act to ensure Floridians aren’t breaking the bank at the gas pump.”
“Extreme heat continues to drive up electricity bills, but Florida has only tapped about 2% of its rooftop solar potential. Debbie will push to expand solar panel power in Florida and lower the cost of Floridians’ electricity bills.”
“Right now, China controls 80% of the world’s supply chain for solar panels. Debbie will fight to create good-paying jobs to increase solar panel production in Florida and lower the cost of energy in the state.”
Press Release 05-20-24:
https://www.debbieforflorida.com/2024/05/20/debbie-mucarsel-powells-plan-to-lower-costs-for-floridians/
Water
“VoteWater has endorsed former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell for the U.S. Senate. VoteWater Executive Director Gil Smart praised Mucarsel-Powell’s commitment to cleaner water…”
VoteWater Website 09-24-24:
https://votewater.org/votewater-endorses-debbie-mucarsel-powell-for-u-s-senate/
Rick Scott
Florida [R]
Climate Change
League of Conservation Voters Scorecard:
Lifetime Score – 5% | 2023 Score – 0%
Indicating an anti-environment voting record.
LCV Website 09-24-24:
https://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/rick-scott
“Republicans and Independents care about the environment. We want clean air. We want clean water. And we want to take care of our environment and natural resources. At the same time, we also care about our economy. … We believe that taking care of the planet and working to create a better economy are objectives that can and must be pursued at the exact same time. You can’t afford to take care of the environment if you don’t have a strong economy. The Green New Deal would destroy our economy.”
“Climate change is real and requires real solutions.”
“As for me, I love and cherish the environment. What I don’t love are plans that would destroy Florida’s economy.”
“If you have a war on fossil fuel, then you’re going to cause gas prices to go up.”
Senator Rick Scott YouTube 03-13-19:
https://youtu.be/QyQWA-QbikI
Energy
“When the Biden administration and the Democrats say they have a war on fossil fuel, it’s actually a war on the poor families.”
“Low-cost energy is a driver to the world economy. It’s a driver to getting people out of poverty.”
Americans for Prosperity Interview with Rick Scott 12-19-22:
https://youtu.be/KKU1J1npTwQ
Water
“Sens. Rick Scott, Marco Rubio and Congressman Aaron Bean Introduce Bill to Codify Florida Permitting Program”
“In 2020, Senator Rick Scott applauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. This designation eliminates duplicity in permitting and helps protect Florida’s environment by allowing Florida to follow the state’s permitting program standards, which are just as stringent, if not more so, than what is currently in place on the federal level.”
Press Release 04-19-24:
https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2024/4/sens-rick-scott-marco-rubio-and-congressman-aaron-bean-introduce-bill-to-codify-florida-permitting-program
Know your candidates!
Learn More
Elections are about more than policy. Check out Dr. Jane Goodall’s initiative “Vote for Nature”.
Nice summary with regard to U.S. political candidates & environmental issues.