Lee’s Senate campaign introduces sweeping climate and environment plan

Rep. Barbara Lee’s (D-Calif.) Senate campaign announced the California congresswoman’s climate plan on Friday, two weeks after her front-runner, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). .

The plan, first shared with The Hill, emphasizes addressing racial and class disparities in environmental issues and mandates that at least 40 percent of profits from federal renewable energy investments flow to disadvantaged communities. He has promised to expand the administration’s Justice 40 initiative.

Lee’s plan also calls for passage of the A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice Act, a sweeping bill aimed at addressing environmental disparities. The bill is named after the late Virginia congressman who introduced an earlier bill.

It will also address the use of fossil fuels by the Department of Defense, the world’s largest consumer of fossil fuels at an organizational level. Mr. Lee has been an outspoken critic of the Pentagon’s size and budget, and in 2001 was the only member of Congress to vote against the invasion of Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks. Her plan for Lee calls for passage of a bill she proposed that would cut the defense budget by about $100 million.

California lawmakers’ plan also calls for reimposing a ban on offshore drilling and passing a Green New Deal for Cities that would allocate $1 trillion to states and local governments to develop resilience to climate change. .

“Urgent action on climate change means redressing historical injustices, strengthening global peace and security, investing in jobs, and holding companies accountable,” Lee said in a statement. “For a truly just and sustainable future, we can prioritize global health and the health of our communities, especially those who have and will continue to bear the brunt of this crisis. And you must.”

Schiff was the first candidate to announce his plans in February. Republican Steve Garvey trails Schiff in polls, followed by Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) and Lee. Under the state’s jungle primary system, the top two candidates advance to the general election.