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Voting the Issues This Presidential Election
The 2016 general election is just around the corner, and boy is it an interesting contest. Not too long ago, few pundits would have predicted that Donald Trump, billionaire real estate developer and reality television star, would have been the GOP’s top pick for POTUS. On the democratic side, Hillary Clinton’s nomination was hardly a long shot, but it was contentious, nonetheless. Just ask any staunch Bernie Sanders supporter.
Well, the primaries are behind us. And while most of you have likely chosen a candidate to back this November, we know that a few of you may still be on the fence. With that in mind, we’d like to provide some information on where the candidates stand on two issues that are very important to the average solar installer: climate change and solar energy.
Clinton Believes in Climate Change. Trump? Maybe Not
During her acceptance speech, Hillary Clinton said, “I believe that climate change is real.” That’s welcome news, especially considering the fact that her opponent has alternately dismissed climate change science as “a hoax” and “bullsh*t.” He even went so far as to say “the concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.” He later said that particular tweet was a joke. Opponents aren’t so sure.
HRC: Climate Change Is an Urgent Threat
Now that we know Hillary Clinton believes in the legitimacy of climate change science, what does she plan to do about it?
According to Hillary’s website, “climate change is an urgent threat and a defining challenge of our time.” The page goes on to detail the Clinton administration’s intentions to cut greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 30%, compared to 2005 levels.
Though his official position varies depending on his mood when the question is asked, it seems safe to say that Donald J. Trump is a climate-change skeptic. However, according to CBS News, that didn’t stop him from applying for a permit to build a seawall to protect his golf course and hotel in County Claire Ireland.
In his permit application, he mentioned global warming as a potential threat. So perhaps he secretly believes in climate change, but denies it for the sake of political expediency? We can only speculate.
Clinton and Trump on the Paris Accord
The historic Paris Agreement is seen by many as one of the Obama administration’s crowning achievements on the climate change front. Though some decry its lack of enforcement mechanisms, the accord is the world’s first comprehensive climate agreement, and few would deny its historic significance.
HRC’s campaign website promises to make good on the “…pledge that President Obama made at the Paris climate conference.” Mr. Trump is less enthusiastic. According to Reuters, he promised a crowd of oil executives that he would “…cancel the Paris climate agreement.”
Where the Candidates Stand on Solar Energy
Both Trump and Clinton would like to see the U.S. become a global energy superpower, but they have very different ideas about how to accomplish that goal.
According to Clinton, the path to energy dominance would be lined with new solar panels; 500 million during her first term, to be exact. She has also announced her plans to cut oil and gas subsidies, reduce America’s petroleum use by 33 percent, and upgrade the energy infrastructure to allow renewables to be a more viable primary energy source.
Trump’s strategy is decidedly more fossil-fuel friendly. He’d like to rescue the coal industry and expand drilling for oil and natural gas on land and at sea. He hasn’t had a lot to say about solar energy, but he did allude to solar manufacturer Solyndra’s 2011 bankruptcy, calling it a disaster.
How Will You Vote in 2016?
Regardless of your political leanings on other issues, as a solar installer, we’re pretty sure you’re pro-solar. As you know, solar energy’s exponential adoption rates have had a lot to do with lucrative incentives from the federal government.
The solar industry will soon reach a point where it’s no longer dependent on subsidies. Some even say it’s already there. Still, continuing the recent trend of rapid solar deployment is certainly good for your business. So which candidate will help the trend continue? We’ll leave that question to you.
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