Harris vs Trump: Where They Stand- Rhode Island Current
TL/DR –
In the 2024 presidential race, candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have both expressed goals to lower energy costs and increase U.S. energy sector jobs, but their plans differ greatly. Harris supports renewable energy expansion and has highlighted her role in passing the Inflation Reduction Act which includes clean-energy tax credits, while Trump advocates for fossil fuel production and removing prohibitions on new oil and gas exploration to decrease fuel costs. Both candidates have criticized each other’s strategies as extreme and insufficiently addressing energy costs or job growth.
Presidential Candidates’ Stances on Climate Change in 2024 Race
Climate change, once a crucial facet of Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, has taken a backseat in the 2024 presidential race. The two major candidates, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris, hold similar goals of reducing energy costs and boosting U.S. energy sector jobs but have different approaches.
Discussion on their detailed plans has been scant on the campaign trail, with each candidate painting the other’s stances as extreme. Harris supports renewable energy expansion, a key solution to mitigating climate change, while Trump advocates for fossil fuel production and blames renewable energy policies for the rise in energy costs.
Promoting Fossil Fuels and Lowering Energy Costs
Both Trump and Harris promise to lower energy costs. Trump criticizes the Biden-Harris administration for endorsing renewable energy, attributing increased inflation to “stupid spending for the Green New Deal.” Despite promising to slash energy costs by deregulation and tax cuts, Trump lacks a detailed plan for accomplishing this.
In contrast, Harris asserts her support for renewable energy as part of an all-encompassing strategy including fossil fuels. The Inflation Reduction Act, passed with her crucial vote, extends new leases for oil and gas production while offering incentives for wind and solar power. This commitment has led to record U.S. fossil fuel production in 2023.
Encouraging Renewable Energy
Harris also emphasizes tax benefits for green technology users under the Inflation Reduction Act as a cost-cutting measure. Trump, despite expressing support for certain climate-conscious technologies, believes Democrats have overinvested in non-fossil fuels.
Creating Jobs in Energy Sector
While Biden and Harris see transition away from fossil fuels as beneficial to U.S. workers, Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, argue that the focus on renewable energy limits existing energy jobs.
Proposing Repeal of Democrats’ Climate Law
Trump holds Democrats’ climate law responsible for increased inflation and plans to terminate the Green New Deal, which he calls the “Green New Scam.” However, his plans show similarities with the conservative Heritage Institute’s ‘Project 2025’, which also advocates for repealing the Inflation Reduction Act. On the other hand, Harris, who broke the tie in voting for the climate law, plans to expand its objectives as president.
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