The New Republic: on Energy & Oil

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: OpEd: Green New Deal idea borrowed from Green Party

Some greens are now irked at the Democrats' attempt to claim ownership of the idea. Why should there be attention given to Greens, though, now that Democrats have embraced the Green New Deal? Simple, said one Green Party analyst: "This Democratic version of the Green New Deal is watered down. It pales in comparison to ours."

The Green Party's Green New Deal is indeed more expansive. The two plans have the same goal of 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2030, and they both call for universal health care and a federal job guarantee.

Green Party: Reorganize society to accomplish Green New Deal

The Green Party's Green New Deal is indeed more expansive, and a much more aggressive, socialist reorganization of society. The two plans have the same goal of 100% renewable energy by the year 2030, and they both call for universal health care and a federal job guarantee. But the Green Party's plan calls for tuition-free college, and publicly owned utilities. To pay for it, the Greens call for major progressive tax and financial reform, including a 90% tax on bonuses for bailed out bankers, and a reduction in military spending by 50%.

Greens say their Green New Deal is the only version that's going to reduce emissions to the degree scientists say is necessary to prevent climate catastrophe, because it's the only one that's truly socialist.

Howie Hawkins: I'm the original Green New Dealer, since 2010

Hawkins says he was the first American political candidate to run on the promise of a Green New Deal. During his run for NY governor in 2010, he proposed a plan to fight climate change "with the same urgency, speed, and commitment of resources that our country demonstrated in converting to war production for the mobilization for World War II." To reduce carbon emissions to net zero over ten years, Hawkins's plan would "devote resources to and create jobs in renewable energy, public transit and organic agriculture." And those resources would come from progressive tax reform.

Hawkins thinks the Green New Deal is being unfairly co-opted. But he's happy that it's become mainstream, because "it's our opportunity to explain how the Democratic establishment chopped away the pieces," he said.

Howie Hawkins: Claims to be the "original Green New Dealer"

Jay Inslee: Plan: $9 trillion investment, transition from coal

Jay Inslee: Ready to support anyone who adopts his climate change plan

Jay Inslee: Takes a more aggressive stance against fossil fuel companies

Justin Amash: Voted no on Keystone pipeline for favoring special interests

Tom Steyer: AdWatch: Do even more with endless supply of wind and sun

"I'm Tom Steyer," he says. "With bold leadership and an endless supply of wind and sun, we can do even more. The goal is 50 percent by 2030."

He concludes the ad by saying, "So what are we waiting for?"

We're waiting for Steyer to announce his run, apparently.

Tom Steyer: CPAC panel discussion: "What Tom Steyer Won't Tell You"

For proof, consider this year's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at Maryland's National Harbor: An entire panel was devoted to "What Tom Steyer Won't Tell You" about climate change.

Murray Energy claimed that "Tom Steyer, Al Gore and their ilk fabricate about global warming and now climate change."

"Tom Steyer is a billionaire based in California," the Institute for Liberty said. "He argues for greater regulation on his competitors and forces to get subsidies for his green energy boondoggles."

Meanwhile, no one seemed too concerned with how Murray Energy stands to benefit economically from fighting climate change regulations. They were too busy demonizing Steyer--literally. One fifth-year CPAC attendee told me after the panel, "Tom Steyer is the devil."