Clinton Pledges to Add 500M Solar Panels

The Democratic presidential contender is proposing that every home in the United States be powered by renewable sources by 2027.

And the renewables push she describes, involving a combination of wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and “other forms of renewable energy” would require adding more power capacity to the grid by 2027 than has been accomplished in any previous decade – and would represent a big leap forward from President Obama’s plan of tripling renewable energy production, to 20 percent, by 2030.

“Those people on the other side, they will answer any question about climate change by saying, ‘I’m not a scientist.’ Well, I’m not a scientist either”.

“I refuse to let those who are deniers, who disagree with what we need to do, to rip away all the progress we have made and leave our country exposed to the most severe consequences of climate change”, Clinton said.

“America’s ability to lead the world on this issue hinges on our ability to act ourselves”, she said.

“Have more than half a billion solar panels installed across the country by the end of Hillary’s first term”-a 700 percent increase in solar capacity that would power 25 million homes”.

Clinton, the front-runner for her party’s 2016 presidential nomination, also pledged to have more than half a billion solar panels installed nationwide within four years of taking office. That seemingly included the campaign of her Democratic rival, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, which sent an email to reporters titled “What Real Climate Leadership Looks Like” about an hour before Clinton’s plan was scheduled to be released.

Climate change has become a key issue in the Democratic presidential primary, where Clinton is the heavy favourite. “And I know we’re facing a huge problem”. “Her proposals provide incentives for businesses and individuals to gain access to renewable energy and lower their monthly bills”, he wrote Monday. The California-based Steyer hosted a fundraiser for Clinton in May.

Still, Clinton touts the non-binding Copenhagen Accord as a diplomatic accomplishment on her website. “Iowa is leading the nation when it comes to wind energy”, said Clinton. Climate activists have long demanded that the next president go further than President Obama, and Clinton’s proposal would do just that.

Clinton pointed out she is in a unique position regarding the transnational pipeline from Canada to the Gulf Coast, which supporters have pushed the Obama administration for years to approve. She also earned praise from billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer, who has set a high bar on climate action for any candidate who wants to tap his millions.

Coal accounts for 40% of US electricity.

“Clinton avoided specifics and refused to take a position on important job-creating energy projects like the Keystone Pipeline, reminding voters why they think she’s untrustworthy”, Republican National Committee spokesman Michael Short said in a statement.