Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA), candidate for the Democratic nomination for POTUS is near the back of the pack, polling at 1%. But his new Evergreen Economy Initiative is so very bold, matching the size of the response to the huge size of our climate crisis, that he has now moved into 2nd place in my own 2020 preferences. Warren is still first, but I hope she adopts a climate plan as bold as this. It dwarfs the Green New Deal. The details are here.
It is not socialist, and does not rely entirely on governmental central planning, but it is a WWII sized effort based on the original New Deal. It aims to revitalize Labor by repealing all “right to work” laws. It invests $9 Trillion in infrastructure (super high speed rail, better/smarter power grids, zero emission vehicles, green buildings, water conservation, etc.) and green energy production. It aims to get to a zero emission economy by 2030. The plan includes a carbon tax and plans to cap methane emissions and HFCs.
There is a “G.I. Bill” component aimed at coal communities to help them transition to new technologies and not be simply left behind (as they are now with all the coal plant closings). I think there needs to be a similar effort for places Alaska and the Gulf Coast to be quickly weaned off oil & natural gas.
The only components I missed (and they may be there) were plans for re-forestation and other carbon-sink efforts and big tech efforts at removing CO2 and methane from the atmosphere and sequestering it. I also missed the international components—going beyond re-joining the Paris Accords to harness the cooperation of the rest of the globe in this fight for survival. [UPDATE: I found both concerns addressed on a second look, but not in the detail I want. This plan keeps getting better.]
This is a bold, progressive, plan that is scientifically based, connects with Inslee’s green record, and includes parts that can be done without Congress on day 1 as well as proposed legislation that underscores the need for Democratic majorities (and no filibuster) in both chambers in 2021.
I love Warren’s bold vision to rebuild the middle class and regulate capitalism for the good—but Inslee has the climate change plan that could save our world. This goes beyond Beto’s plan and beyond the goals of the Green New Deal—and certainly beyond the tepid responses of Biden and others like Bullock. Warren, Harris, Bernie—ya’ll need to step up and either endorse this or improve on it because this is what a proportionate response to the Eco-Crisis looks like. Well done, Gov. Inslee.