Data for Climate Progress - Infrastructure week, again? - 7.20.21
We’re Hiring
Our team is growing! DFP is looking for a Polling Analyst to help expand our mission to empower movements using data. More info on what we’re looking for and how to apply on our website.
We’re also hiring an Operations Manager to continue to fulfill our mission to deliver the data that drives the progressive movement forward. More info here.
Lastly, we’re bringing on a contractor for special data-engineering-and-analysis projects to help expand our mission to empower movements using data. Details can be found here.
What We’re Watching
Build a Bridge and Get Over It
Infrastructure negotiations have advanced past their stalemate with Senate Democrats announcing a $3.5 trillion budget resolution and President Biden supporting the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, a.k.a. the “BIF”. While the BIF makes some headway in addressing physical infrastructure like roads and bridges, public transit, and drinking water infrastructure, it omits key climate investments proposed in the American Jobs Plan. As negotiations continue, we’re closely paying attention to ensure progressive priorities such as a Clean Electricity Standard and a Civilian Climate Corps will be included — and fully funded — in the budget reconciliation package.
While the White House is optimistic about the two-track infrastructure negotiations, there are road bumps ahead that may spell trouble for the BIF. Whether the BIF, with many extant points of contention — including pay-fors — will earn support from ten Republicans remains to be determined. We’ll be watching this week to see whether the BIF survives its first legislative test on the Senate floor.
Policy
Job Creation for a Clean Jumpstart
This spring, Data for Progress and Evergreen Action released the Clean Jumpstart 2021 plan that outlined key policies for a federal job creation and infrastructure package. Not only are these policies overwhelmingly popular, but they also have the potential to create an average of 2.7 million jobs annually for the first five years. In a new memo, Data for Progress Fellow Amanda Novello outlines the immense job creation potential of the Clean Jumpstart plan.
Progressive Guide to the American Jobs Plan
We put together a Progressive Guide to the American Jobs Plan to provide a one-stop-shop with polling and policy analysis on key pillars included in the American Jobs Plan. Our guide shows that the ambitious, equitable investments in our human and physical infrastructure are widely popular across the country. Read the memo here.
Ocean Infrastructure Priorities
Legislators such as Senator Sheldon Whitehouse have recently drawn attention to the lack of investments in oceans in the ongoing climate and infrastructure negotiations. In a new policy memo, Jean Flemma from the Urban Ocean Lab and Miriam Goldstein from the Center for American Progress detail the ocean’s potential to offer important solutions to mitigate the climate crisis, provide good-paying jobs, and protect coastal communities. Check out the policy and polling memos to learn more about the potential benefits and widespread popularity of investments in natural infrastructure.
Food Procurement and Infrastructure
The immense purchasing power of the federal government has the potential to drive decarbonization efforts across supply chains, from electric vehicles to food systems. Our latest policy memo by Chloe Waterman, Mackenzie Feldman, and Julian Kraus-Polk highlight ways for the Biden administration to build upon opportunities already included in the American Families Plan and American Jobs Plan to support sustainable food and agricultural systems. Moreover, we find these policies enjoy bipartisan support.
Polling
Voters across party lines support climate and clean energy investments
Our new polling with Climate Power finds that a majority of voters support the American Jobs Plan, including its key climate and clean energy provisions.
While 57 percent of voters support the American Jobs Plan without any additional information about the bill, support jumps to 65 percent — including increases in support among Independents and Republicans — after giving voters a description of the bill that emphasizes the proposal’s key climate and clean energy provisions.
While lawmakers are negotiating the size and scope of infrastructure legislation in Congress, two-thirds of voters think it is important that investments to create clean energy jobs are kept in the bill.
Battleground voters support a clean electricity standard
In a series of new state-level polls, we find that voters even in battleground states support President Biden’s proposal to put America on a path towards achieving a 100% clean and reliable electricity grid by 2035.
This proposal earns support from 56 percent of likely West Virginia voters, as well as over two-thirds (67 percent) of Georgia voters.
Read more about how West Virginia voters support federal investments for a just and equitable clean energy transition in our new memo with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and learn more about how Georgia voters support ambitious investments in clean energy in our new memo with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
Investments in household electrification enjoy bipartisan support
Our new polling with Rewiring America finds that voters across party lines support federal investments to make household electrification more affordable for consumers.
Over two-thirds of voters (71 percent) support federal investments to provide consumers rebates for purchasing and installing zero-emission electric appliances.
While this policy is overwhelmingly popular, voters also would strongly consider taking advantage of the benefits: Nearly two-thirds of voters (64 percent) say they would “Definitely” or “Probably” consider participating in a federal rebate program for zero-emissions electric appliances.
Cross-cutting issues
Florida building collapse
Last month, a 12-story condominium in Surfside, Florida partially collapsed, wreaking devastation on the beachside suburb at the onset of hurricane season and setting into motion a conversation about structural stability in the wake of the climate crisis.
Though the ultimate cause of the building’s collapse has not yet been determined, one thing is for certain: in a world where the climate crisis is driving stronger and more frequent extreme weather events, there needs to be a strong focus on implementing climate-resilient safeguards in vulnerable communities. Saltwater intrusion, sea-level rise, subsidence, corrosion and structural damage from hurricanes are all issues plaguing coastal communities and can lead to infrastructural issues in the near and long-term.
Our polling with Climate Power finds that 61 percent of voters think the federal government should do more to help state and local governments improve infrastructure so it is more resilient to extreme weather events.
Soaring Summer Temperatures
Following the hottest June on record in North America, the Pacific Northwest is undergoing its third heat wave of the summer, with temperatures in Death Valley soaring to a record-breaking 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, East Coast cities like Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. are experiencing summer temperatures that decades ago were characteristic of cities like Atlanta and Tampa. Extreme heat poses a particular threat to those who are unhoused, the elderly, and manual laborers — all of whom may be at an elevated risk for heat-related illness.
As these extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and severe, voters are paying attention. As we head into the thick of summer, our polling with Climate Power finds that three-quarters of voters are concerned about extreme weather.
Report back from our Green New Deal Slate
As the 2021 primaries and spring municipal elections end, we wanted to keep you updated on some exciting wins from our 2021 Down Ballot Green Deal Slate with Lead Locally!
Highlights
India Walton wins her primary for Buffalo Mayor!: Walton beat Byron Brown, a long term incumbent, in a huge upset for the city’s political establishment. If Walton wins the general, she will be the city’s first woman mayor and the country’s first socialist mayor for a major city in decades. She has bold climate ambitions for the city including passing the city’s first climate plan, converting the city’s whole auto fleet to electric cars, and working to make Buffalo a climate haven for the ever growing population of climate refugees.
San Antonio elects 2 new climate champs!: Jalen McKee Rodriguez and Teri Castillo have both won their bids for City Council! The city manages CPS Energy, the largest public utility in the country, and both will be able to hasten its transition to renewable energy and to retire a major polluting coal plant, the JK Spruce Station. Castillo also plans to advocate for an exciting “Green New Deal for Housing” to build more energy efficient and renewable-friendly public housing in the city.
Losses & learning lessons
Some tough lessons from VA
Across the board, the VA primaries claimed wins for incumbents and candidates heavily backed by the state’s utility Dominion. Despite losing, our three candidates (Richard Walker, Jennifer Adeli, & Dr. Ibraheem Samirah) ran bold campaigns that introduced more voters to the VA Green New Deal, the need to regulate Dominion, and the fight against anti-union Right to Work bills.
Steve Singer in PA
Singer’s campaign for Allegheny County Commission lost, but his campaign helped further popularize the need to rein in the fracking industry. We’re excited to see where Singer’s activism for the climate, teachers, and labor takes him next .
What’s next
The Port of Seattle — Toshiko Hasegawa will head to her primary for port commissioner this September and has been racking up endorsements from Rep. Pramila Jayapal, 350 Seattle Action, Rep. Adam Smith, many local unions, and more. Her plan for a Blue New Deal at the Port would reduce carbon emissions, protect marine biodiversity, and support local women and POC owned businesses.
India Walton for Buffalo Mayor (again!) — The fight is not over in Buffalo: despite losing the primary, Brown is grasping to hang on by running a write-in campaign for the general election.
Both Walton and Hasegawa will continue to need our support this summer and fall so make sure to look out for ways to donate/volunteer over the next months!
Media Hits
The Hill (Danielle and Marcela authored)
The Forge (Danielle and Marcela authored)
Climate Policy
Framingham Source (Marcela Quoted)
Maine Beacon (DFP mention)
Huffpost (DFP mention)
Axios (DFP mention)
Clean Energy (DFP mention)
The Seattle Times (DFP mention)
Center for American Progress (DFP mention)
The Hill (DFP mention)
The Daily Beast (DFP mention)
The Seattle Times (DFP mention)
Washington Monthly (DFP mention)
Red, Green, and Blue (DFP mention)
Bloomberg Green (DFP mention)
Biden Administration
Waging Non-violence (DFP mention)
In These Times (DFP mention)
Meme
Bonus:
Join Marcela Wednesday, July 28th, 2021 at the Statehouse Futures Summit to discuss progressive strategy and polling. Register here.