U.S. Senate Democrats unveil $400 billion-a-year plan to tackle climate
change
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[August 26, 2020]
By Nichola Groom
(Reuters) - Senate Democrats on Tuesday unveiled a
plan to tackle climate change that calls for the U.S. government to
spend more than $400 billion a year to eliminate greenhouse gas
emissions by 2050.
The plan is the latest in a series of blueprints from Democrats
detailing how the United States can combat global warming. None are
likely to proceed in the current Republican-controlled Senate but could
get traction if the chamber flips to Democratic control after November's
election.
"When Democrats retake the majority in the Senate we will be united to
move swiftly," Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said on a call
with reporters. "Passing climate legislation will be a top priority."
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Spokespeople for the Senate's Republican majority leader, Mitch
McConnell, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The plan would aim to create at least 10 million jobs in areas like
clean energy manufacturing and research and development for new
technologies, the 260-page report by the Democrats' Special Committee on
the Climate Crisis said.
The Trump administration has downplayed the risks of climate change and
cut regulations on fossil fuels industries. The plan offered by Senate
Democrats also calls for reforming lobbying laws to reduce the influence
of those industries.
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A general view of the U.S. Capitol building, amid the coronavirus
(COVID-19) outbreak on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. July 21,
2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner
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Some environmental groups said the plan did not go far enough and
called for elimination of subsidies for oil and gas companies.
"Senate Democrats talk a good talk when it comes to environmental
justice, labor rights, and the climate crisis, but this report does
not walk the walk," Charlie Jiang, a climate campaigner with
Greenpeace USA, said in a statement.
The report said the price tag, equal to about 2% of U.S. gross
domestic product, is justified by the urgency of the crisis and the
far more expensive economic disruption caused by changing
temperatures. At least 40% of the benefits from the climate spending
would benefit low-income communities.
(Reporting by Nichola Groom; Editing by David Gregorio and Bill
Berkrot)
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