What’s Happening
This week, House Republicans led by Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy rolled out a climate plan.
Why It Matters
This week, Republicans made the case that their more pragmatic approach to climate change is the right way forward on the issue. Their “Energy Innovation Agenda” highlighted more than thirty bills, broken down into three categories:
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Innovation: promotion of basic research, carbon capture and storage, and securing America’s critical mineral supply chain
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Energy Infrastructure: investment in pipeline infrastructure, natural gas, nuclear energy, and renewables; streamlining of burdensome regulations
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Natural Solutions and Conservation: support for forest management, natural carbon sequestration, and precision agriculture
My Take
The ranks of climate-minded Republicans have steadily grown in recent years. Yet, the roll-out of an actual climate plan, with the involvement of House GOP leadership as well as rank and file members, represents a turning point. Republicans can no longer be dismissed as the party of climate denial.
From a policy perspective, the Energy Innovation Agenda offers a lot of substance. Streamlining regulations that slow clean energy projects, planting trees to sequester more carbon, and increasing deployment of nuclear energy are smart, science-based climate solutions. Furthermore, many of the 30+ bills are bipartisan, making the plan actionable, unlike the Green New Deal. While the plan is far from comprehensive and the real test will be whether Republicans can effectively work across the aisle to pass these pieces of legislation, it is an encouraging step in the right direction.
Quote Me on It
“House Republicans firmly rejected climate denial this week. Their ‘Energy Innovation Agenda’ is actionable, effective, and appealing to the overwhelming majority of Americans who care about climate change, but are skeptical of radical Democratic proposals.” – VP of Government Affairs Quill Robinson