Evergreen Action
August 19, 2020

Evergreen Action Calls on DNC to Fix Backwards Platform Position on Fossil Fuel Subsidies 

Today, Evergreen Action’s Campaign Director Jamal Raad released the following statement on the party platform adopted at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. 

“The DNC’s last-minute decision to remove language opposing fossil fuel subsidies from the party platform is a bewildering betrayal of climate voters and a surprising divergence of the climate leadership of the Biden-Harris campaign. Nearly every Democratic candidate for president campaigned on ending fossil fuel subsidies, and it is a core part of the Biden-Harris plan. This backwards policy position is a reversal from the 2016 platform and does a disservice to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, who have put forward the boldest climate action plan for a presidential ticket, including ending billions in subsidies to big oil and gas companies. The DNC should immediately take steps to fix its platform and bring it in line with the Biden-Harris ticket’s policy ending fossil fuel subsidies. 
“We need to end fossil fuel subsidies. Period. The Democratic Party’s platform should reflect the 2020 presidential nominees, the near unanimous majority of Democratic voters, and the majority of Americans who do not want to spend public funds bankrolling fossil fuel corporations during a recession.
“This position on fossil fuel subsidies undermines an otherwise historically progressive climate platform. It is the first time any major party platform has ever included 100% clean energy standards for the electricity and buildings sector. It also makes historic commitments to environmental justice, including dedicating 40% of federal clean energy investments into disadvantaged communities.
“In our fight to defeat the climate crisis, we cannot afford a single step backwards. Evergreen will continue to hold our leaders to these high standards in order to ensure an all-out national mobilization to defeat the climate crisis and build an economy run on 100% clean energy on day one of a new administration. We call on the DNC to join us in that mission.”

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