Sustainable America Election 2016
Laws and policies that promote sustainability would help grow our economy, create jobs, improve quality of life in our communities, make us healthier, reduce risks to our national security, and improve the lives of the poorest among us. Widener Law Commonwealth's Environmental Law and Sustainability Center provides this information on the candidates’ sustainability positions in the spirit of public service, to help voters make informed decisions.
| Issues | Hillary Clinton (D) |
Donald J. Trump (R) |
| Green Jobs & Green Business | Secretary Clinton said in her Democratic Convention speech that she will work to create good-paying clean energy Jobs. Based on information from Secretary Clinton’s website it appears as though she would foster the creation of green jobs and business by developing common, world-class standards for North American energy infrastructure, supporting prevailing wage and project labor agreements, and ensuring energy transportation across the continent is clean, safe, reliable, and affordable. | Mr. Trump has stated, on CNBC’s Squawk Box, that a friend of his is a "big environmental guy,” and moved into a green building. Mr. Trump stated that his friend “freezes in the winter, boils in the summer, and is losing his eyesight.” Mr. Trump contributes these negative effects to the fact that green buildings do not “provide enough energy.” |
| Investment in Environmental Infrastructure | Secretary Clinton plans to update the infrastructure of the United States as part of her overall plan for the environment. To improve environmental infrastructure Secretary Clinton promises to establish a National Infrastructure Bank to provide the funding for infrastructure projects. Secretary Clinton will focus on improving the nation’s natural gas pipelines, electricity grid, and rail system, working with Mexico and Canada to improve infrastructure on the continent. | Mr. Trump has no stated position on investing in environmental infrastructure. |
| Clean Energy | Secretary Clinton promises to reduce America’s oil and coal consumption in order to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Secretary Clinton has set two primary goals regarding clean energy: 1. The United States will have more than half a billion solar panels installed across the country by the end of Secretary Clinton’s first term. 2. The United States will generate enough clean renewable energy to power every home in America within ten years of Secretary Clinton taking office. To achieve these goals Secretary Clinton will launch a $60 billion clean energy challenge and support the Clean Power Plan. |
Mr. Trump has stated that his energy strategy does include solar, and wind energy. He also stated that he would not support them "to the exclusion of other forms of energy" — referring to fossil fuels — "that right now are working much better.” Mr. Trump has made several other comments on the topic of clean energy."Wind [energy] is killing hundreds and hundreds of eagles, one of the most beautiful, one of the most treasured birds." Mr. Trump, on August 15, 2012, tweeted “Nobody wants wind turbines, they are failing all over the world and need massive subsidy--a disaster for taxpayers.” Mr. Trump would like to revitalize what he sees as the dying coal mining industry. “Let me tell you, the miners in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, which was so great to me last week, and Ohio and all over, they’re going to start to work again. Believe me. You’re going to be proud again to be miners.” |
| Sustainable Communities | As part of her “Breaking Every Barrier” plan Secretary Clinton promise to provide $25 billion to create sustainable communities by reducing blight and making communities more walkable. | Mr. Trump has made no stated position on sustainable communities. |
| Sustainable Agriculture | Secretary Clinton will increase funding to support the next generation of farmers and ranchers in local food markets and regional food systems. Additionally, she will fully fund the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which provides assistance to producers – including a set-aside for minorities and veterans – who are working to conserve and improve natural resources on their farms and ranches. Furthermore, Secretary Clinton pledges to Support the bio-based economy's dynamic growth by doubling the loan guarantees made through the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program. The loan guarantee program helps fund the creation of bio-processing plants and emerging technologies that, for example, convert agriculture and landfill waste into productive chemicals and non-petroleum based materials. | In regards to agriculture, Mr. Trump would like to see deregulation in the area. He hopes this would spur development. “Family farms are the backbone of this country. We are going to end the EPA intrusion into your family homes and your family farms. We are going to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard, eliminate job-killing regulations like the Waters of the U.S. rule [Clean Water Rule], and provide desperately needed tax relief. … We are going to end this war on the American farmer.” |
| Climate Change | Secretary Clinton states that climate change is an urgent threat and a defining challenge of our time because it threatens America’s economy, national security, health, and future. Secretary Clinton insists that she is committed to moving forward with the Paris agreement and plans to reduce United States oil consumption, increase production of energy from renewable sources, and improve energy efficiency once she takes office. | Mr. Trump believes that climate change is naturally occurring and that global warming is a hoax. Mr. Trump has tweeted several times voicing his disapproval of climate change. On October 19, 2015, Mr. Trump tweeted; “It's really cold outside, they are calling it a major freeze, weeks ahead of normal. Man, we could use a big fat dose of global warming!” On January 28, 2014, Mr. Trump tweeted: “Snowing in Texas and Louisiana, record setting freezing temperatures throughout the country and beyond. Global warming is an expensive hoax!” On November 6, 2012, Mr. Trump tweeted: “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.”* * In the first Presidential Debate, September 26, 2016, Mr. Trump denied the existence of this tweet. Finally, as part of his 100-day action plan, Mr. Trump would “cancel the Paris Climate Agreement and stop all payments of U.S. tax dollars to U.N. global warming programs.” |
| Sustainable Transportation | Secretary Clinton pledges to lower transportation costs and unlock economic opportunity by expanding public transit options. Through her Clean Energy Challenge, Secretary Clinton will partner with states, cities, and rural communities that take the lead in reducing carbon pollution by investing in clean energy and lowering energy costs through energy efficiency and innovative transportation solutions. | Mr. Trump is a proponent of public transportation. Mr. Trump has stated the need to overhaul existing rail lines to match the technology of Europe and Asia nations. “You go to China, they have trains that go 300 miles an hour. We have trains that go ‘Chug, chug, chug.’ And then they have to stop because the tracks split, right?” |
| Environmental Protection | Secretary Clinton is a strong supporter of the EPA, and the role it plays in protecting the environment. She has received the endorsement of William D. Ruckelshaus, the first Administrator of the EPA under President Richard Nixon. Additionally, Secretary Clinton pledges to keep public lands in the hands of the public by keeping private companies from purchasing rights to them. | Mr. Trump has stated that he believes everyone deserves clean air and safe drinking water regardless of race or income. However Mr. Trump would like to end the Environmental Protection Agency, and regulations that hamper business. In an interview Mr. Trump stated: “Environmental Protection, what they do is a disgrace. Every week they come out with new regulations. They're making it impossible …we'll be fine with the environment. We can leave a little bit, but you can't destroy businesses. As part of his 100-day action plan Mr. Trump would “rescind all the job-destroying Obama executive actions including the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the U.S. rule.” |
| Public Lands | Secretary Clinton pledges to keep public lands public by not auctioning them off to the private companies or individuals, this makes more resources available to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who are taking steps to conserve our wildlife, lands, and waters. | Mr. Trump would be in favor of oil and gas drilling on federal land. As part of his 100-day action plan Mr. Trump would “[o]pen onshore and offshore leasing on federal lands, eliminate moratorium on coal leasing, and open shale energy deposits.” |
The Center does not endorse any particular candidates, and no endorsement should be implied. In addition, the Center does not endorse or affirm the accuracy of any statements made by any candidate about matters of fact. Research and writing for the candidates’ positions was done by Bo Bucher, Matthew Konya, Daniel Schramm, and Mark Bogush, students at Widener Law Commonwealth.