Katerina Swanson
Senator Amy Klobuchar has signed the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge, committing to limit fossil fuel donations to her campaign. Klobuchar has stated that she will not accept contributions over $200 from the fossil fuel industry, including executives, lobbyists, or PACs. Her climate plan includes ending federal fossil fuel subsidies, regulating fracking, and setting a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Klobuchar aims to use presidential powers to restore climate and clean energy policies, such as rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement and strengthening the Clean Air Act. She also supports the development of safe nuclear power and cleaner coal technologies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Signed the No Fossil Fuel Funding pledge | Yes |
| Committed to limiting fossil fuel donations to her campaign | Yes |
| Committed to ending federal fossil fuel subsidies | Yes |
| Committed to reducing climate pollution | Yes |
| Committed to restoring and expanding the Clean Power Plan | Yes |
| Committed to strengthening enforcement of the Clean Air Act | Yes |
| Committed to rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement | Yes |
| Committed to setting emissions standards for power plants and fuel economy standards | Yes |
| Committed to supporting research into carbon capture and storage technology | Yes |
| Committed to expanding biofuel infrastructure | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Amy Klobuchar signs the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge
Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota has joined other Democratic candidates in signing the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge. In doing so, she has committed to limiting fossil fuel donations to her campaign. Klobuchar announced on Twitter that she would not accept contributions over $200 from the fossil fuel industry, including executives, lobbyists, or political action committees (PACs). Instead, she will prioritize the health of families, the climate, and democracy over fossil fuel industry profits.
Klobuchar's pledge is in line with her commitment to tackling the climate crisis and holding the fossil fuel industry accountable. She has proposed various measures to reduce climate pollution, such as putting a price on carbon pollution and ending federal fossil fuel subsidies. Klobuchar also intends to restore and expand the Clean Power Plan, strengthen the enforcement of the Clean Air Act, and recommit the United States to the Paris Climate Agreement.
In addition to her pledge, Klobuchar has expressed support for clean energy initiatives. She has promoted the development of energy-efficient technologies and the utilization of homegrown energy resources, such as biofuels. Klobuchar has also worked to strengthen environmental standards and protect waterways, recognizing the importance of keeping air and water clean for public health and natural resources.
As a member of the Senate Climate Change Task Force, Klobuchar has advocated for addressing climate change as part of the nation's energy and environmental policy. She has supported legislation to reduce greenhouse gases and achieve a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. Klobuchar's actions and positions on climate and environmental issues demonstrate her commitment to progressive policies while also appealing to moderate voters.
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Klobuchar's commitment to limiting fossil fuel donations to her campaign
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) joined a dozen other 2020 presidential hopefuls in committing to limit fossil fuel donations to her campaign. She announced on Twitter that she would not take contributions over $200 from the fossil fuel industry, including executives, lobbyists, or PACs. She joins former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and others in signing the pledge, which was organized by the youth climate group the Sunrise Movement.
In her climate plan, Klobuchar talks about bringing science back into decision-making in Washington. She wants to "hold the fossil fuel industry accountable" for climate change and mentions working to get a constitutional amendment "to get dark money out of our politics." Klobuchar describes herself as a progressive who can win moderate voters in swing states such as Iowa and Wisconsin. On climate issues, however, her tone and some of her positions are more moderate than those of her competitors. She is a co-sponsor of the Green New Deal resolution but says it shouldn’t be taken literally, and she avoids extreme positions, such as banning fracking.
Klobuchar's "Plan to Tackle the Climate Crisis" emphasizes using presidential powers to quickly restore climate and clean energy policies that the Trump administration rolled back. She promises to restore the Clean Power Plan to reduce power plant emissions, revive fuel economy standards for vehicles, strengthen enforcement of the Clean Air Act, and recommit the U.S. to the Paris climate agreement. Her plan sets a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 and proposes a $1 trillion energy infrastructure package to encourage investment in clean energy and energy efficiency.
Klobuchar also proposes clean energy bonds to raise money and end federal fossil fuel subsidies. She supports the development of "safe nuclear power" and "cleaner coal technologies." She also supports research into carbon capture and storage technology and co-sponsored a 2017 bill to expand a tax credit to help carbon capture research. Klobuchar introduced a bill to start a carbon-tracking program as a step toward a cap-and-trade system to address climate change during her first Senate term in 2007.
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Ending federal fossil fuel subsidies
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) joined a pledge to limit fossil fuel donations to her campaign back in 2019. She committed to not taking contributions over $200 from the fossil fuel industry and instead prioritizing "the health of our families, climate, and democracy over fossil fuel industry profits". In her climate plan, Klobuchar talks about holding the fossil fuel industry accountable for climate change and mentions working to end federal fossil fuel subsidies.
Fossil fuel subsidies have sizable fiscal consequences, such as leading to higher taxes, hindering economic growth, and contributing to climate change and air pollution. In 2022, fossil fuel subsidies in the United States totaled $757 billion, including $3 billion in explicit subsidies and $754 billion in implicit subsidies, which include costs like negative health impacts and environmental degradation. Removing these subsidies could reduce energy security concerns related to volatile fossil fuel supplies and promote sustainable and equitable outcomes.
The Biden-Harris Administration's FY 2024 budget request included proposals to eliminate 13 fossil fuel tax preferences and credits, such as the tax credit for oil and natural gas extracted from marginal wells. These changes are estimated to reduce the federal deficit by almost $31 billion over 10 years. Additionally, the budget proposes modifications to the taxation rules for the foreign income of U.S. oil and gas companies, which would save another $66 billion.
The Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act (H.R. 3671) was introduced in the 115th Congress to eliminate subsidies aimed at the fossil fuel industry. The Act amends sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and had 45 Democratic cosponsors. Federal funding for fossil fuels is primarily administered by the Department of Energy (DOE) and includes initiatives such as the Office of Advanced Fossil Energy R&D and the Loan Guarantee Program. The fossil fuel industry also receives federal funding in the form of project loans, grants, and guarantees from organizations like the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).
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Holding the fossil fuel industry accountable
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) joined a dozen other 2020 presidential candidates in signing a pledge to limit fossil fuel donations to her campaign. She committed to not taking contributions of over $200 from the fossil fuel industry, including executives, lobbyists, or PACs. Klobuchar's climate plan involves holding the fossil fuel industry accountable for climate change, ending federal fossil fuel subsidies, and banning new fossil fuel permitting on federal land. She also plans to restore climate and clean energy policies, reduce power plant emissions, and recommit the U.S. to the Paris climate agreement.
The fossil fuel industry has long been criticized for its role in climate change and its deceptive tactics to deny and downplay the issue. Major fossil fuel companies have known for decades that their products contribute to global warming and climate change, yet they have engaged in disinformation campaigns and influenced politicians to block climate action. The industry has also been accused of "greenwashing," where companies brand themselves as part of the climate solution while actively undermining climate policies.
Furthermore, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) has played a significant role in holding the fossil fuel industry accountable. UCS investigative reporting has led members of Congress to press fossil fuel companies to disclose their funding of climate disinformation and outline plans for reducing emissions. UCS-supported research has also highlighted the need for investors to limit industry exploration and development of new fossil fuel reserves to prevent exceeding the carbon budget and pushing global temperatures beyond safe limits.
Overall, holding the fossil fuel industry accountable involves exposing and countering its deceptive tactics, ensuring transparency and responsibility, and advocating for strong climate policies and emissions reductions. It also requires continued efforts from organizations like UCS and pressure from investors and consumers to drive meaningful change and transition towards responsible energy practices.
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Reducing climate pollution
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) joined a pledge to limit fossil fuel donations to her campaign in 2019, becoming the 13th Democratic candidate to do so. She committed to not taking contributions over $200 from the fossil fuel industry, including executives, lobbyists, or PACs. Klobuchar's climate plan, titled "Plan to Tackle the Climate Crisis," emphasizes using presidential powers to quickly restore climate and clean energy policies that were rolled back by the Trump administration. She sets a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 and proposes a $1 trillion energy infrastructure package, aiming to encourage investment in clean energy and energy efficiency. Klobuchar also wants to put a price on carbon pollution and end federal fossil fuel subsidies, while continuing to develop safe nuclear power and cleaner coal technologies.
Transportation is a significant contributor to greenhouse gases, and eliminating pollution from vehicles is essential to achieving global emissions targets. Communities play a vital role in this transition by opposing fracking, pipelines, and oil drilling in their localities, protecting the right to clean air and water. It is also important to consider the impact of choices on climate change and ensure that actions genuinely reduce the burden rather than merely shifting it elsewhere, as climate change disproportionately affects low-income communities and communities of color.
To further reduce climate pollution, it is essential to halt deforestation and restore nature. Forests, oceans, and soil absorb and store greenhouse gases, playing a crucial role in balancing emissions. The European Union (EU) has made significant progress in reducing emissions, with a 37% drop in EU emissions in 2023 compared to 1990 levels. The EU has set ambitious goals, including a 55% reduction by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050, achieved through transitioning to clean energy, sustainable land use, and global cooperation.
Reducing emissions has immediate health benefits, preventing premature deaths, hospitalizations, and respiratory illnesses associated with air pollutants. It is important to note that transitioning to renewable energy and electric vehicles may incur high initial costs, but these investments save money in the long run and bring faster improvements to air quality.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Amy Klobuchar signed the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge in May 2019, committing to limit fossil fuel donations to her campaign. She pledged not to accept contributions over $200 from the fossil fuel industry and to prioritize the health of families, the climate, and democracy over fossil fuel industry profits.
Amy Klobuchar's "Plan to Tackle the Climate Crisis" emphasizes using presidential powers to restore climate and clean energy policies. She aims to take immediate action to transform the energy sector, unlock scientific breakthroughs, hold the fossil fuel industry accountable, and support communities affected by the climate crisis. Klobuchar's plan includes ending federal fossil fuel subsidies, regulating fracking, and proposing a $1 trillion energy infrastructure package to encourage investment in clean energy. She also plans to bring back the Clean Power Plan, revive fuel economy standards, and recommit the US to the Paris Climate Agreement.
Amy Klobuchar supports the use of biofuels and has worked to expand their infrastructure and market. She believes that biofuels can lower gas prices, drive economic growth, create jobs, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Klobuchar has also supported legislation to increase incentives for homegrown, farm-based energy and ensure a strong Renewable Fuel Standard.
