Energy

Ocasio-Cortez Sells ‘Green New Deal’ To Democrats As WWII-Scale Effort. Here Are The Details

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Michael Bastasch DCNF Managing Editor
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Details have emerged about Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s “Green New Deal” legislation slated for release as early as next week, according to reports.

“In it, we call for a national, social, industrial and economic mobilization at a scale not seen since World War II,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a letter to Democratic colleagues obtained by Bloomberg.

Ocasio-Cortez wrote that a “Green New Deal” included moving the U.S. to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions within 10 years “through a fair and just transition for all communities and workers,” creating “good, high-wage jobs,” pouring money into infrastructure and “promote justice and equity by preventing current and repairing historic oppression to frontline and vulnerable communities.”

Those goals are still vague and ill-defined, based on what’s been reported of the letter, but Politico reported the “Green New Deal” didn’t explicitly call for a ban on fossil fuels — a key demand of environmental activists.

“The language I read was clean, renewable, zero emissions — which is that ‘keep the door open’ approach,” Julian NoiseCat, policy director at 350.org, told Politico.

Freshmen House Democrats deliver petition urging McConnell to end shutdown on Capitol Hill in Washington

U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) (L) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) (R) talk as they accompany other freshmen House Democrats to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office to deliver a letter “urging him to end the shutdown” on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 16, 2019. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas.

350.org was among more than 600 environmental groups that came out in support of the “Green New Deal.” In an open letter to Congress, environmentalists demanded fossil fuels and nuclear power not be part of the plan.

Leaving the door open to nuclear and “clean coal” technology is likely a way to get labor union backing. Power plants, mines and other worksites that would be the target of “Green New Deal” legislation may support the plan if it includes programs to “decarbonize” their industries.

Not including an explicit fossil fuel ban is likely form over substance. The “Green New Deal” would most likely be structured in a way to prioritize renewables, like wind and solar, over traditional energy sources. (RELATED: Ed Markey Invites Climate Activist Who Stormed Nancy Pelosi’s Office As His SOTU Guest)

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks during a march organised by the Women's March Alliance in the Manhattan borough of New York City

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks during a march organised by the Women’s March Alliance in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., January 19, 2019. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs.

However, some observers see the lack of a fossil fuel ban as a tacit admission that coal, natural gas and oil are integral parts of the economy.

“It’s easy to declare the end of fossil fuels, but actually crafting a plan to destroy the economy is both bad policy and bad politics,” Texans for Natural Gas spokesman Steve Everley said in an emailed statement. “We eagerly await the next walkback from supporters of the Green New Deal.”

Nine House Democrats are listed as co-sponsors of the “Green New Deal” resolution, according to Ocasio-Cortez’s letter. Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey will introduce a “Green New Deal” bill in the Senate.

Support for the “Green New Deal” is growing among Democratic 2020 hopefuls, including California Sen. Kamala Harris, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.

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