U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) and Senate Climate Task Force Chair Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced the Green New Deal (GND) in the House and Senate Thursday, Feb. 7. The legislation was quickly supported by Harvard’s representatives at the national and state levels.
“The sun is setting on the dirty energy of the past,” Markey said in a press release. “Today marks the dawn of a new era of climate action … We can create high-quality jobs and enforce labor standards, guarantee rights to retirement security and health care, and conduct inclusive decision making in this Green New Deal.” U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, who joined over 60 other representatives in co-sponsoring the bill, said, “We don’t have to make the false choice between saving our planet or growing our economy for everyone. We can and we will do both.”
The GND is a legislative proposal promoting both efforts to combat climate change and economic stimulus. The GND specifically calls for a 10-year plan to switch the nation’s economy to solely renewables in order to achieve carbon-neutrality. The plan also includes a clause whereby the government would guarantee a job to every citizen who is seeking one. While derided by critics for potential infeasibility and harm to the economy, with even House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling it the “green dream,” the proposal has gained momentum in both the House and the Senate. The bill now has 84 House co-sponsors and 11 Senate co-sponsors, while also gaining the support of nearly all 2020 Democratic presidential candidates.
Polls show differing degrees of support for the legislation. A poll conducted in February 2019 by INSIDER, Business Insider’s polling branch, revealed that 43.7 percent of respondents support the plan, a plurality, with 24.3 percent of respondents unsure. When polled on the individual components of the deal, however, support skyrocketed. For instance, 86 percent of respondents supported making the economy carbon-neutral, and 69.8 percent were in favor of the government providing a job to anyone who is interested in one.
State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, co-chair of the Clean Energy Caucus (CEC), wrote “Our best chance at reversing global warming is to commit to a future powered entirely by clean energy and pass legislation to systematically reach that goal. When we invest in renewable energy, we also invest in cleaner air, healthier communities, and thousands of local jobs.” He has come out strongly in favor of the GND. Eldridge’s docket includes bills that would reduce plastic bag pollution (SD.896), facilitate recycling and composting (SD.877), and encourage renewable energy adoption (SD.1376).
State Rep. Jennifer Benson also has supported climate change reform through state legislation. She has introduced bills to reduce carbon emissions (HD.2370), increase the use of zero-emission vehicles (HD.1502), and local energy investment (HD.1501).
Together, Benson and Eldridge celebrated the increased use of solar panels in the district at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 5-megawatt ground-mounted community solar array in Boxborough. The solar array, in conjunction with the Littleton Electric Light and Water Department, is projected to provide power to over 2,000 residents of Littleton and Boxborough.
Press intern Kate Selig is a Bromfield senior.
