Kamala Harris' complicated climate record
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Let's take stock of VP Kamala Harris' energy and climate record as President Biden's status sits on the knife's edge.
Why it matters: Her stances — both past and present —will face GOP attacks and get renewed environmentalist support if she becomes the standard bearer.
- That's important in a race that could rest on small margins in a few swing states.
The big picture: At a 30,000-foot level, Harris embodies Biden's tenure.
- That has meant promoting unprecedented federal spending and tax subsidies via the 2021 infrastructure law and 2022 climate law.
- "For the first time in history, we are providing tens of billions of dollars directly to community lenders to finance local climate projects," she said in North Carolina in April while touting just one of those programs.
Friction point: Harris held positions during her brief 2019 presidential run that diverge from the White House posture. They include:
- Calling for a fracking ban and co-sponsoring Green New Deal legislation — views she later made clear that the Biden-Harris ticket didn't back in the general election.
- Proposing a "climate pollution fee" imposed on industry "as far upstream as possible," with revenues going back into climate efforts.
GOP strategist Scott Jennings sees jeopardy for Harris in Pennsylvania, a huge swing state — as well as a massive shale gas producer — that could decide the race.
- "If the Dems don't win PA they are COOKED. And her views aren't compatible with winning there," he said in a text exchange.
The other side: Data for Progress executive director Danielle Deiseroth said Harris' history — before Biden's tenure and as a messenger for the 2022 climate law — would be a "huge asset."
- "Her record is something that climate and environmental justice advocates would get excited about, and I think she could really lean into her record as a prosecutor by going after big oil and gas," she said.
- Deiseroth points to DFP polling that found support for holding oil companies "accountable" on climate.
- Deiseroth also notes Harris' relative youth: "I think she is very relatable to many younger folks who are concerned about climate and the world that they're inheriting and their children and grandchildren are inheriting."
Catch up quick: Harris has focused on environmental justice, including as VP.
- For instance, in mid-2019 she floated the "Climate Equity Act," under which many bills would get an "equity score" akin to Congressional Budget Office analyses.
- Harris has also touted her work as California's AG, such as settlements with Chevron and BP over state fuel storage and waste laws, and indictments against Plains All American Pipeline over a major 2015 coastal oil spill.
- Here's her 2019 platform, and summaries via Columbia's climate school and CNN.
