Tom Steyer on Energy & Oil Democratic Presidential Challenger; CEO

Cap-and-trade market-based approaches are ineffective

STEYER: [We need] to put in rules about how fast utilities have to move to clean energy, how fast car companies have to stop creating gasoline-fired cars, how fast businesses have to rebuild buildings to make them more energy-efficient. How effective is putting a price on carbon? And here's the answer. That isn't what really works. There has been a sense in this country that what works is somehow using the market. Let me say this. As somebody who was in the private sector for 30 years, who believes in a dynamic, competitive, effective private sector, a price on carbon, which we've had in California through our cap-and-trade system has been very marginally effective. So do I think it's bad? No, I don't think it's bad. I think it's marginally positive. But the way we're going to get out of this problem is not by trusting the market. We are going to get out of this problem by putting in rules and making corporations obey them.

Supports Green New Deal & carbon-neutrality by 2045

His plan calls for a carbon-neutral economy by 2045. He would invest at least $2 trillion in federal spending over a decade into new infrastructure, transportation systems, and clean energy.

His plan would also create a civilian climate corps, which Steyer says would generate one million new jobs at a cost of $250 billion.

He would dedicate $50 billion to helping workers in fossil fuel industries transition to new careers while ensuring their health care and other benefits.

He promises to rejoin the international Paris Agreement on climate, which Trump withdrew from in 2017. He also pledges more aid to other countries to help them transition from fossil fuel use.

He is skeptical of nuclear power. He favors other technologies such as wind and solar power.

Nuclear isn't competitive: focus on wind & solar & batteries

Climate crisis is opportunity for good middle-class jobs

I've spent a decade fighting oil companies & pipelines

V.P. Joe BIDEN: I think it is the existential threat to humanity. While I was passing the first climate change bill, while I managed the $90 billion recovery plan, investing more money in infrastructure that related to clean energy than any time we've ever done it, my friend was introducing more coal mines and produced more coal around the world, according to the press, than all of Great Britain produces.

On Day 1: declare climate crisis a national emergency

I will ensure that protecting the climate is central to our diplomacy and trade policies. We can and will work with our partner nations to advance a global consensus. I will recommit to the Paris Climate Agreement and ratify the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol. I'll join the international Powering Past Coal Alliance, work to end global financing for coal-fired power plants and create a green screen for our foreign aid and investments.

End subsidies & tax breaks for fossil fuels

We need to lead the world on climate, with allies abroad

Ban fracking

The rise of fracking has enabled energy companies to produce vast amounts of oil and gas from shale rock formations, but the process remains controversial because of the use of chemicals to crack th

Departed from Farallon in part due to fossil fuel holdings

When I realized the threat of fossil fuels, I divested

AdWatch: I left my business to combat climate change

"I left my business to combat climate change, fix our democracy, and hold President Trump accountable," Steyer said in one of his new ads. "Last year, we ran the largest youth voter registration in history, helping double turnout and win back the House."

The $1.4 million buy represents a small chunk of what Steyer has committed to spending on his presidential bid. A Steyer spokesperson said that the billionaire former hedge fund manager will spend "at least $100 million" on the race.

Donated $41m for sustainable energy center

Gave $41 million for sustainable energy program at Stanford

Cut greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020

Report on Tom Steyer's stance and spending on ballot initiatives:
• California Proposition 23, the Suspension of AB 32 (2010)
• Steyer Opposed; Steyer spent $5.49 million; outcome: Defeated
• Proposition 23, which would have suspended AB 32, the "Global Warming Act of 2006," was on the November 2, 2010 ballot in California as an initiated state statute, where it was defeated.
• AB 32 was passed by the California State Legislature and signed by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
• AB 32 required that greenhouse gas emission levels in the state be cut to 1990 levels by 2020.
• In their campaigns for and against Proposition 23, supporters and opponents each adopted nicknames for the measure clarifying their respective views of it. Supporters called Proposition 23 the California Jobs Initiative, and opponents called it the Dirty Energy Proposition. Supporters of the measure filed a lawsuit that resulted in a change to the measure's title and summary.

NextGen Climate: $170 million to advance renewable energy

Fears current policies will subsidize fossil fuel extraction

Supports Paris agreement to develop renewable technology

Steyer: OK, so look at the Paris agreement: It's going to force the developed world to change its energy sources. That means the US could be the leader in developing renewable technology for more than a billion people--a huge incoming market--who don't have electricity at all.

2015: Next president must have plan for climate change

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.

Proposed 10% on oil extraction to support university system

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."

Fought gutting state greenhouse gas reduction law

Safe, secure, sustainable energy instead of oil subsidies

Or we could follow President Obama's long-term plan for the future for an economy fueled by a safe, secure, sustainable energy supply. During the last several years, we've seen tremendous progress on new technologies that can make us energy independent and create thousands of jobs. This is about investing for the long haul, not for a quick-and-dirty buck. This is about taking control of our destiny by doing what Americans do best: out-innovating, out-thinking, out-hustling our competitors. And President Obama has put us on track to do just that.

America's dependence on foreign oil is lowest in two decades