Updated September 26, 2024

What have the 2024 presidential candidates said about energy and the environment?

A majority of Americans say that global climate change is affecting their local community. Two-thirds of Americans support the increased development of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, by federal incentives. The same share also supports taking steps to become carbon neutral by 2050, meaning that no more carbon dioxide would be released into the atmosphere than removed. Though support for nuclear power is stronger among Republicans, a majority of Americans also favor more nuclear power plants to generate electricity in the US.  

Still, America is divided on the government’s role in addressing these issues and goals. Economic concerns complicate the transition to renewable energy; two-thirds of Americans want to keep a mix of fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. More Democrats prioritize alternative energy sources to address America’s energy supply. No clear majority believes that the government should either encourage or discourage oil and gas drilling. Further, Americans are divided on climate policies by age with younger Americans in both parties showing support for phasing out fossil fuels.

Subissues:

• Drilling and Fracking
  • Offshore
  • Oil & Gas
• Carbon Emissions
  • International Agreements
• Energy
  • Fossil Fuels

Drilling and Fracking

Kamala Harris (D)

Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed various stances on drilling and fracking. During a 2019 town hall, she said, “There's no question, I am in favor of banning fracking.” 

Harris opposed fracking and offshore drilling during a 2020 forum.

Recently, she has backed away from vocalizing support for a franking ban, and she claimed to no longer support it. “What I have seen is that we can grow and we can increase a thriving clean energy economy without banning fracking,” she said in an August interview.

Donald Trump (R)

His administration enabled the expansion of offshore drilling. He made it easier to lease public land for oil and gas drilling and proposed making 85% of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska available for oil and gas drilling.

Cornel West (Ind.)

He wishes to establish a moratorium on fracking and cancel the Willow Project. He also hopes to halt all oil and gas leasing projects on federal land.

Carbon Emissions

Kamala Harris (D)

Vice President Kamala Harris announced her $10T climate initiative in 2019, pledging a 100% net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by 2045. 

Harris vocalized support for the Green New Deal in 2019; and, as senator, she pledged to eliminate Senate filibuster rules to pass the legislation, if elected president. Harris has since backed away from support.

Donald Trump (R)

His administration rolled back more than one hundred environmental rules and regulations. Most prominently, he withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Accords; the aim of these accords was to keep global heating to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures. He proposed revisions to carbon dioxide emissions standards for new power plants, abandoned efforts to reduce emissions from large sewage treatment plants, and lowered the calculated social cost of carbon, which seeks to tally the money spent and lives lost due to climate change.

Energy

Kamala Harris (D)

Vice President Kamala Harris signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which sought to reduce 50% of greenhouse emissions by 2030 by guaranteeing loans to projects that repurpose old energy infrastructure or enable existing infrastructure to avoid or sequester air pollutants. She also said she would ban public land fossil fuel leases, if elected; however, Harris has been criticized for the emissions she has used on her campaign trail. 

Donald Trump (R)

His administration approved the Keystone XL and Dakota Access interstate natural gas pipelines. He canceled the Clean Power Plan, an Obama-era plan to cut carbon dioxide emissions. He streamlined approval for mines and fossil fuel production permits on public lands. He boosted fossil fuel production by rolling back regulations on the industry. He has advocated for energy independence based on fossil fuel use, but also supported the expansion of nuclear energy.

Cornel West (Ind.)

He supports nationalizing the fossil fuel industry.

This blog was originally written by Harry Ding, Content Intern (Center bias). It was reviewed and edited by Henry A. Brechter, Editor-in-chief (Center bias); Malayna J. Bizier, News Analyst and Social Media Editor (Right bias); Johnathon Held, News and Bias Analyst (Lean Right bias); and Joseph Ratliff, Design Consultant (Lean Left bias). It was updated by Malayna J. Bizier.