Cory Booker unveils $3 trillion climate change plan, creating 'Environmental Justice Fund'
Presidential hopeful Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., on Tuesday revealed a sweeping $3 trillion plan to combat climate change, calling to "accelerate the end" of fossil fuels and achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030. Like the costly and controversial Green New Deal, which Booker co-sponsored in the form of a Senate resolution, Bookers plan aims to address both climate change and economic inequality. SANDERS RELEASES $16 TRILLION GREEN NEW DEAL PLAN, PROMISES IT WILL PAY FOR ITSELF To end the real and growing threat of climate change and to create a more just country for everyone, we must heal these past mistakes and act boldly to create a green and equitable future. Thats exactly what Ill do as president, Booker said in a statement. The plan includes an array of executive actions, such as taking on companies that pollute with increased EPA enforcement, requiring all new passenger vehicles to have zero emissions by 2030, and imposing a ban on all new fossil fuel leases. Booker also intends to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement and revoke orders from President Trump to approve the Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines. Additionally, Booker wants to push Congress to create a United States Environmental Justice Fund, which would commit $50 billion a year to advance environmental justice and invest in communities long left behind. Goals include replacing lead drinking water service lines in residences, schools, and daycares; cleaning abandoned uranium, coal, and hard rock mines; and planting 100 million trees in urban areas that Booker's plan says suffer disproportionately from air pollution. The plan sets a goal of 2045 for achieving a completely carbon-neutral economy through investments in clean energy such as wind and solar, and a next-generation smart grid. Bookers plan joins other costly proposals put forth by fellow Democratic candidates. Former Vice President Joe Biden has proposed a Clean Energy Revolution that would involve $1.7 trillion in federal investments and additional private sector and state and local investments of more than $5 trillion. Former Texas Rep. Beto ORourke has a $5 trillion climate plan and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has a plan for a Green New Deal that would cost $16.3 trillion in public funds.