Mid-term congressional elections in the United States are still 10 months away [actually, just 298 sleeps away—Ed.], but more than 100 House and Senate candidates have already pledged to support the proposed Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act if they’re elected.
The legislation, introduced by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), “would halt all new fossil fuel development and commit to a 100% clean energy transition by 2035, with 80% in the next 10 years,” EcoWatch reports. It has 23 congressional co-sponsors so far, and more than 400 endorsements from an array of advocacy organizations.
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In Minnesota, meanwhile, newly-installed Sen. Tina Smith (D) is promising to make clean energy a “top focus”, Bloomberg News reports, after landing a coveted seat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. She’s committed to shifting 50% of her state’s electricity supply to renewable energy by 2030.
“Minnesota is a national leader when it comes to renewable energy, and during my time as lieutenant governor, that’s something I was proud to champion,” she told Bloomberg Environment this week. As a U.S. senator, Smith said she will “keep fighting for the type of energy policies that create jobs, improve our energy independence, and address the growing threat of climate change.”
Across the U.S., “with recent polling showing that 66% of Democrats care deeply about the issue, the support for urgent and decisive climate action is growing in the party base,” writes Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hunter. “Now, a new crop of candidates—most of them running for the Democratic party—are finally listening to that base and stating support for clear, decisive climate action in 2018.”
