Clinton and Trump: differences in their economic programmes

Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump? When choosing the next President of the United States, in November, Americans will also decide if the country’s economy will be powered by solar or oil and gas.

In the past months the two presumptive nominees have laid out their energy programmes. The Democrats and the Republicans have traditionally held different views on anything about the economy, but in this case the difference is huge.

“Making America the clean energy superpower of the 21st century” is the motto of Hillary Clinton. An “America first energy plan” to “make America great again” is the slogan of Donald Trump. Except for a patriotic appeal, the two plans have nothing in common. Clinton’s vision is all about solar, while fossil fuels dominate the energy future according to Trump. “The gap on environmental and climate issues between Secretary Clinton and Donald Trump is the largest in US political history,” commented the Sierra Club, an influential grassroots organization.

Hillary Clinton, like Obama, links energy policies to climate change. Her manifesto promises a reduction of greenhouse gases by up to 30% by 2025 and more than 80% by 2050 compared to 2005. Solar is the centerpiece of the strategy. The aim is to reach 500 million PV panels, with 140 GW of installed solar capacity by 2020. This, says the plan, corresponds to a 700% increase from current levels and to powering with solar over 25 million homes. […]

The vision of Donald Trump is the very opposite. His energy strategy pivots on oil, natural gas and coal in the name of jobs and “complete energy independence.” Clinton has a long-term plan? Trump has a list of actions for his first 100 days…

Continue reading on Sun & Wind Energy, 13 July 2016.

Photo: Hillary Clinton at Planned Parenthood Action Fund membership event in Washington, June 10, 2016. Credits: CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.