Thread by @NGrossman81

If you don't like the Green New Deal, what's your better idea?
I think @cmclymer's challenge is fair. So here's my alternative:
Renovate America.
Energy efficiency upgrades plus solar panels. Everywhere.
Reduce emissions, create good paying jobs, save everyone money.

https://twitter.com/cmclymer/status/1099092255590236160

Renovating every building in the country is in the Green New Deal, and the authors deserve credit for it. But if we do just that idea, it's already huge.
And it's something the whole country can get behind.
2/x

RENOVATE AMERICA
-$15/h +benefits jobs to upgrade public property
-Create programs to train for these jobs, full pay begins in training
-Gov grants, tax credits, for private upgrades
-Pay for by borrowing--low rates, good investment--and reversing some of the Trump tax cuts.
3/x

Installing solar panels on every building would:
-Create a boom in the solar industry, including both manufacturing and installation/maintenance jobs
-Save every household and business money on their energy bills
-Reduce America's dependence on dirty sources for electricity
4/x

A green renovation project would be a boon to various materials and construction companies, while also spurring innovation in energy efficiency and solar technology.
Green tech is exportable. And if we show this can work, others will do it too (while buying from us).
5/x

Renovating America would be incredibly challenging on its own, both logistically and politically. But it can win majority support, and make substantial progress on both carbon emissions and economic inequality.
6/x

I've criticized the Green New Deal for implausible goals, especially for including non-climate issues.
Some of the ideas I dislike on the merits. But overall, my concern is that each additional idea activates new opposition. More voters. More lobbyists
7/x
independent.co.uk/voices/aoc-dem…

"Renovate America" addresses the political problem inherent in the Green New Deal (picking too many fights at once), and most of the implausibility problem. I say "most of" because renovating the whole country is incredibly ambitious (the "whole country" won't really happen).
8/x

My main point: Democrats should offer a climate plan built around gov spending on infrastructure and other projects that reduce emissions, create good paying jobs, and save people money. And little else.
That can win widespread support. It can make a real difference.
9/x

What my plan doesn't do: end inequality, advance social justice, upend capitalism, or other non-climate goals. It doesn't aim to.
As @dhnexon put it, it's a GREEN Deal, as opposed to a GREEN NEW DEAL or Green NEW DEAL.
10/x

To be clear: I propose Renovate America as a moderate alternative to the Green New Deal because I believe it's a better idea, substantively and politically, not because it's a pragmatic step towards further left goals I secretly share. I bet a lot of Americans agree with me.
11/x

I hadn't thought this out as a coherent policy alternative before (thanks @cmclymer) but I like it for a center-left candidate. Anyone want it? @amyklobuchar? @SenSherrodBrown?
Any thoughts @jonathanchait, @rortybomb, @epicciuto, @danpfeiffer, anyone else?
(END)