Jay Inslee’s clean energy plan: 100% clean electricity by 2035, zero emission vehicles by 2030

Washington governor and Democratic presidential candidate Jay Inslee has released his 100% Clean Energy for America plan, an ambitious proposal befitting his position as the candidate running on climate change.

Inslee’s clean energy plan is built on three major goals:

• Reach 100% zero emissions in new light- and medium-duty vehicles and all buses by 2030
• Achieve 100% zero-carbon pollution from all new commercial and residential buildings by 2030
• Set a national 100% Clean Electricity Standard, requiring 100% carbon-neutral power by 2030, putting America on a path to having all clean, renewable and zero-emission energy in electricity generation by 2035.

Inslee’s plan alludes to similar goals that have been set by American states and cities, including his own. But this goes beyond those in many ways, setting an earlier nationwide target for not only clean electricity generation, but also new building pollution.

Inslee’s plan for only new zero emission vehicles to be sold in the US by 2030 would call for the creation of new clean car and clean fuel standards, in addition to a “Clean Cars for Clunkers” program that would offer trade-in rebates for consumers exchanging “fuel-inefficient cars or trucks for new ZEVs.” His plan would “ensure ZEVs are made in the U.S.A., by union workers, and that they are affordable for working families.”

This isn’t Inslee’s only climate-related plan, either. His website says the clean energy plan is just “the first major policy announcement in Governor Inslee’s Climate Mission agenda,” with more announcements to follow.

Earlier this week, fellow Dem presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke introduced his climate plan that would require net zero emissions in the US by 2050. Other candidates are likely to unveil detailed versions of their own plans in the coming months.

Electrek’s Take

Again, while Inslee is far from a frontrunner in this race, he’s pushing the conversation on vital issues. It’s good to see he’s released an ambitious plan that matches his stance.

At this point, it appears that Inslee has enough polling support to get on the Democratic debate stage, though he’s still seeking donors. He’s also called to dedicate one debate solely to climate change — but it remains to be seen if that will happen.