Democrats' Infrastructure Proposal Gets Green Tint

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) DON'T CALL IT INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK... But House Democratic leaders are expected to roll out their own infrastructure framework today with a particular focus on climate change. The framework comprises a mix of transportation and water legislation that Congress renews periodically, according to details confirmed by POLITICO. "But Democrats are putting a green tint on each element of the proposal, checking boxes on their climate goals while attempting to show that they are steering away from impeachment talk and toward legislating on big issues," POLITICO's Tanya Snyder reports.

The details: House Transportation Chairman Peter DeFazio said the plan will be a radical departure from previous highway-focused transportation bills. Instead, the proposal will put clean energy and climate "resilience" at the center. "We're looking at every sector under my jurisdiction and attempting to meet the goals of the Green New Deal," he told reporters.

DeFazio said the measure will include everything from making federal buildings carbon-neutral to transitioning to renewable fuels for aviation. He also wants to improve rail and transit options "as a more efficient way to move passengers than short-haul airlines and automobiles" and use more climate-friendly building materials, like concrete with coal ash that "actually absorbs carbon."

Sneak peek? A draft obtained by POLITICO on Tuesday describes a $760 billion, five-year plan that includes $319 billion for "transformative highway investments" and $50.5 billion for clean water, Tanya reports, though it's unclear if that draft is the final version that will be unveiled today.

So far, Democrats haven't produced any way to pay for the bill. Funding would be a conundrum even without the extra money they're promising, as the Highway Trust Fund has been running dry for years because of the reduced purchasing power of the federal gasoline and diesel tax, which Congress last increased in 1993, Tanya reports. READ MORE

Excerpt from Politico: But so far Democrats have no stated way to pay for the spending. It's a tricky issue, especially considering the simplest option — a hike to the gasoline tax, which hasn't been raised since 1993 — is considered a political non-starter.

The backbone of the plan would be a highway, rail and transit bill, of the kind that Congress enacts typically every four or five years. But it also bolts on a host of things that aren't typically merged together, including water and wastewater issues, airport fees tacked onto the price of an airline ticket, and an expansion of broadband.

As for the Republicans, “we’ll see what they think about an ambitious electrification program, but they shouldn't have any objection to new, more climate friendly materials that are actually going to save the taxpayers money,” DeFazio speculated on Tuesday. “I think there's a lot of things we could agree on.” READ MORE

Excerpt from Politico's Morning Energy: SANDERS CHALLENGES BIDEN ON CLIMATE: Sen. Bernie Sanders vowed to continue his presidential campaign on Wednesday after disappointing losses in several state primaries, and he promised to participate in the first one-on-one debate this weekend between him and former Vice President Joe Biden. In doing so, Sanders said that while he is "currently losing the delegate count," he has broad public support for his proposals and pointed to a lack of enthusiasm among younger voters for Biden. He then challenged Biden to prove that he can offer those voters solutions and listed off a series of policy questions that will likely come up during Sunday's debate.

"On Sunday, I very much look forward to the debate in Arizona with my friend, Joe Biden," Sanders said. "And let me be very frank as to the questions that I will be asking Joe." He continued: "Joe, how are you going to respond to the scientists who tell us we have seven or eight years remaining to transform our energy system before irreparable harm takes place to this planet because of the ravages of climate change?"

SUNRISE CALLS FOR GREEN NEW DEAL SUPPORT: The youth-led Sunrise Movement — which endorsed Sanders — renewed calls Wednesday for the eventual Democratic nominee to back a Green New Deal. "This is a moment of crisis in America. Collapsing oil prices and coronavirus have brought our economy to the brink of a full-blown recession," Sunrise spokesperson Aracely Jimenez said in a statement. "... The next President must instead respond to this moment of crisis by stimulating the economy through unprecedented investment in the Green New Deal." Jimenez added that the group is calling on Biden to "pick up the mantle of Sen. Sanders' ambitious Green New Deal plan" and pledge to make it a priority within 100 days of a Biden administration. READ MORE