CLINTON and Sustainability

Last week, we reviewed the RNC and their presidential candidate, Donald Trump, to see where he stood when it comes to sustainability and the environment. This week, it's the Democrats' turn as they hold their convention in Philadelphia.

Similar to what RNN did with Donald Trump last week, this week we are sharing quotes and coverage of Hillary Clinton, and her statements  and actions on the renewable energy policies, including the Production Tax Credit for wind energy. RNN in no way endorses or supports any candidates and provides this information so our readers can better asses the stances each candidate takes.

Send us your comments.  We will post a sustainable minute update on our 24/7 network amplifying on this post.

Hillary Clinton

Sec. Clinton: Trump Has “No Credible Plan” To Rebuild Infrastructure; “I’d Rather Spend Our Money On … Modernizing Our Energy Grid.” In a June 2016 speech in Columbus, Ohio, Sec. Clinton said of Donald Trump, “He has no credible plan for rebuilding our infrastructure, apart from the wall that he wants to build. Personally I’d rather spend our money on rebuilding our schools or modernizing our energy grid.” [Hillary Clinton, 6/21/16]

Sec. Clinton Unveiled Plans For Parks, Lands And Water, Including Renewable Energy Production On Federal Lands And Creating New Parks And Monuments. According to an article in E&E News, “A Hillary Clinton administration would increase tenfold renewable energy production from federal lands and waters; replace and expand the Land and Water Conservation Fund to address dilapidated infrastructure in national parks; and open up millions more acres for hunting, fishing and recreation. The front-runner for the Democratic nomination for president made those promises and more in a sweeping policy platform she unveiled today. Clinton's plan for conserving parks, lands and water also calls for increased federal investments in water conservation; reforming wildfire budgeting; providing incentives for farmers and ranchers to conserve habitat for at-risk wildlife; and ensuring new parks and monuments celebrate women, communities of color, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.” [E&E News, 6/1/16]

Sec. Clinton: I Want The U.S. To Be The “Clean Energy Superpower” Of The 21st Century. During an April 2016 MSNBC town hall, Sec. Clinton said, “We are … going to look at how we use clean renewable energy to create more jobs because we have to deal with that. And somebody is going to be the 21st century clean energy superpower. It's either going to be China, Germany or us. I want it to be us because there will be a lot of jobs, again, that have to be done right here in America.” [MSNBC, 4/25/16]

Sec. Clinton: Due To “Extraordinary Threats” Posed By Climate Change, My Record Is One Of Trying To End Oil Subsidies, Because We Need To Transition From Fossil Fuels To Clean Energy. During an April 14, 2016 Democratic primary debate in Brooklyn, NY, Sec. Clinton said, “We need to talk about this issue and we should talk about it in terms of the extraordinary threats that climate change pose to our country and our world. And that's why for the last many years, both in the Senate and as secretary of State, it's been a big part of my commitment to see what could be done. But there has never been any doubt that when I was a senator, I tried -- I joined with others to try to get rid of the subsidies for big oil. And I have proposed that again, because that's what I think needs to be done as we transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.” [Washington Post, 4/14/16]

Sec. Clinton: For “Economic And Environmental And Strategic Reasons,” U.S. Helped Countries That Were “Heavily Dependent On Coal And Oil” Use Natural Gas As A Bridge To Clean Energy; “We Want To Cross The Bridge As Quickly As Possible.” During an April 14, 2016 Democratic primary debate in Brooklyn, NY, Sec. Clinton said, “I don't think I've changed my view on what we need to do to go from where we are, where the world is heavily dependent on coal and  oil, but principally coal, to where we need to be, which is clean renewable energy, and one of the bridge fuels is natural gas. And so for both economic and environmental and strategic reasons, it was American policy to try to help countries get out from under the constant use of coal, building coal plants all the time, also to get out from under, especially if they were in Europe, the pressure from Russia, which has been incredibly intense. So we did say natural gas is a bridge. We want to cross that bridge as quickly as possible, because in order to deal with climate change, we have got to move as rapidly as we can. That's why I've set big goals. I want to see us deploy a half a billion more solar panels by the end of my first term and enough clean energy to provide electricity to every home in America within 10 years. So I have big, bold goals, but I know in order to get from where we are, where the world is still burning way too much coal, where the world is still too intimidated by countries and providers like Russia, we have got to make a very firm but decisive move in the direction of clean energy.” [Washington Post, 4/14/16]

Sec. Clinton Applauded The Obama Administration For Reversing Its Decision To Permit Drilling Off The Southeastern Atlantic Coast, Adding, “Time To Do The Next Right Thing And Protect The Arctic, Too.” On march 14, 2016, the New York Times reported that the Obama administration was “expected to withdraw its plan to permit oil and gas drilling off the southeast Atlantic coast … In January 2015, Mr. Obama drew the wrath of environmentalists and high praise from the oil industry and Southeastern governors after the Interior Department put forth a proposal that would have opened much of the southeastern Atlantic coast to offshore drilling for the first time. The proposal came after governors, state legislators and senators from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia all expressed support for the drilling. Lawmakers in the state capitals saw new drilling as creating jobs and bolstering state revenue.” Reacting to the news, Sec. Clinton tweeted, “Relieved Atlantic drilling is now off the table. Time to do the next right thing and protect the Arctic, too.” [@HillaryClinton Twitter, 3/15/16; New York Times, 3/14/16]

Sec. Clinton: “We Are Going To Move From Fossil Fuels To Clean Energy … In A Quick, But Thoughtful Way”; Banning Extraction On Public Lands Is A “Done Deal.” On February 4, 2016, Sec. Clinton had the following exchange with an audience member at a campaign event:

AUDIENCE MEMBER: With so much of the environmental community opposing fracking, how do you expect to win over young people’s vote if you still support fracking?

SEC. CLINTON: I have said repeatedly that we are going to move from fossil fuels to clean energy. We’re going to have to do it in a quick, but thoughtful way … What the government does have the authority to do is to impose

very strict regulations on the chemicals being used; closing the Halliburton loophole; on the methane release. There’s a lot we can do…

AUDIENCE MEMBER: But that doesn’t stop the CO2 from going into the atmosphere when we burn it.

SEC. CLINTON: We will get there, but I don’t want to mislead you and say I can ban it…

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Perhaps banning extraction on public lands?

SEC. CLINTON: Yeah, that’s a done deal.

[350 Action YouTube Channel, 2/4/16]

Sec. Clinton: I Want 500 Million Solar Panels, As Well As Enough Clean Energy To Power Every Home, In The Next Four Years. During the February 4, 2016 Democratic primary debate, Sec. Clinton said, “I think we've talked a lot tonight

about what we're against … I'm for a lot of things. I don't want to just stop bad things from happening, I want to start good things happening. I believe if I’m so fortunate to get the nomination I will begin to work immediately on putting together an agenda and begin to talk with members of congress and others about how we can push forward. I want to have half a billion more solar panels deployed in the first four years. I want to have enough clean energy to power every home in the next four years.” [Washington Post, 2/4/16]

Sec. Clinton, On Big Oil: “I Want To Take Away All Their Subsidies.” On February 3, 2016, CNN reporter Dan Merica  tweeted, “HRC asked about taking oil money: ‘They must have put it in the wrong envelope. I want to take away all their subsidies.’” [@DanMericaCNN Twitter, 2/3/16]

Sec. Clinton: Repairing “Faulty Water Control Infrastructure” Can Help “Deliver Affordable Reliable Electricity While Reducing Carbon Pollution.” On November 30, 2015, Sec. Clinton unveiled her infrastructure plan. The plan, in part, read, “Ten years ago, Hurricane Katrina demonstrated the stark dangers posed by faulty water control infrastructure. And these public safety concerns are only intensified by the increasing threat of severe weather due to climate change. We need to substantially increase funding to inspect these structures, bring them into good repair, and remove them where appropriate. Our existing dams can also be a significant source of new clean energy generation, and Clinton will support efforts to increase dams’ capacity to deliver affordable and reliable electricity while reducing carbon pollution.” (Hillary Clinton Campaign Website, 11/30/15]

Sec. Clinton: A Clean Energy Future Means “Helping To Bring Solar And Energy Efficiency Technologies To More LowIncome Communities.” On November 9, 2015, Sec. Clinton received an endorsement from the League of Conservation Voters. During her remarks, she said, “I want to make sure every American shares in the benefits of a clean energy future. That means helping to bring solar and energy efficiency technologies to more low-income communities. I think this is something we don’t talk about enough … An African-American child is still 500 percent more likely to die of asthma than a white child, because they often live near power plants and other polluters, and they, unfortunately, often bear the consequences.” [PSB Satellite YouTube Channel, 11/9/15]

Sec. Clinton: Transitioning From Fossil Fuels To A Clean Energy Economy Can Create “Millions Of Good New Jobs And Businesses,” And Help Curb The Effects Of Climate Change. On November 5, 2015, Sec. Clinton appeared on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live. During the interview, she had the following exchange with the show’s host, Jimmy Kimmel: KIMMEL: I find it interesting that the vast majority of the [Republican] candidates, and people who are Republicans, believe that man-made climate change is a myth, or some sort of conspiracy designed to hurt our economy. Do you think that most people genuinely believe that, or are they towing the party line? SEC. CLINTON: “I think it’s both, Jimmy. I think some people do believe it. When you hear them say, as they often, do, “I’m not a scientist,” my response that that is, “Go talk to one, and maybe you could get some information that would enlighten you or educate you about the problems that climate change is confronting us with,” because it IS an existential crisis. I think some [candidates] are doing it because they have strong supporters, people who are maybe from the fossil fuel industry, for example, and they don’t want to cross them. So, they adopt that position, and whether they really believe it, or it’s just political opportunism, I can’t tell. But, the fact is, it’s hurting our country, and what I don’t understand is, there are huge economic opportunities here. If we were the clean energy superpower of the 21st century, we would create millions of new good jobs and businesses, and we would transition away from fossil fuels, and help the climate at the same time. [ABC, 11/5/15]

Sec. Clinton: My Energy Plan Invests In Clean Energy, R&D, And Will Create Jobs And Grow The Economy. During the October 13, 2015 Democratic primary debate, Sec. Clinton said, “I traveled across our country over the last months listening and learning, and I’ve put forward specific plans about how we're going to create more good paying jobs by investing in infrastructure and clean energy, by making it possible once again to invest in science and research and taking the opportunity posed by climate change to grow our economy.” [CNN Debate, 10/13/15]

Sec. Clinton: “Modernizing North American Energy Infrastructure” Meant Ensuring That The Federal Government Did Its Part To Make Clean And Affordable Energy “More Efficient And Effective.” In September 2015, Sec. Clinton released an energy plan for “modernizing North American energy infrastructure.” One of the plan’s pillars aimed to “unlock new investment sources.” Specifically, Sec. Clinton would “ensure the federal government is a partner in getting clean and

affordable energy to market by making the infrastructure review and permitting process more efficient and effective.” [Hillary Clinton, 9/23/15]

Sec. Clinton: “Modernizing North American Energy Infrastructure” Meant Focusing On “Coordinated Targets For Clean Energy And Cutting Carbon Pollution.” In September 2015, Sec. Clinton released an energy plan for “modernizing North American energy infrastructure.” One of the plan’s pillars aimed to “forge a North American climate compact.” Specifically, Sec. Clinton would “drive greater ambition in the global fight against climate change through coordinated targets for clean energy and cutting carbon pollution, internationally recognized reporting mechanisms, and a binding review process.” [Hillary Clinton, 9/23/15]

Sec. Clinton In 2015: “We Need To Continue The Production Tax Credits, We Need To Be Investing In … Wind.” During a July 2015 campaign stop in Iowa, Sec. Clinton said, “Iowa is making a transition but the rest of the country is not. And we need to change the tax incentives, we need to continue the production tax credits, we need to be investing in solar and wind and advanced biofuels, and yes, energy efficiency and there are millions of jobs if we do that right.” [KTVO, 7/7/15]

Sec. Clinton In 2007: “I Will Make The Production Tax Credit For Wind … Permanent.” In a November 2007 speech on energy and climate change in Iowa, Sec. Clinton said, “I will strongly support a renewable portfolio standard, with 25% of electricity coming from wind, solar, and other renewable sources by 2025. … As President, to help us reach 25% by 2025, I will make the production tax credit for wind and solar permanent. No more guessing what you're going to get as you move forward with your production.” [Council on Foreign Relations, 11/5/07]

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