Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams is among 11 Democrats throughout the country who have been endorsed by the environmental organization NRDC Action Fund.
The agency released a statement calling Abrams and the other candidates champions for clean energy. Executive Director Kevin S. Curtis cited the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in the West Virginia v. EPA case. The decision limits the federal government’s choices for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.
“American families need relief, but the fossil fuel industry’s stranglehold on our economy means all of us are at the mercy of wild price swings at the pump, unhealthy air and climate-wrecking pollution,” Curtis said in a statement.
“The Court’s recent decision in West Virginia v. EPA underscores how important it is to elect leaders who will work to speed up the transition to a clean energy economy. The candidates we endorse today are fighting to build a brighter future with plentiful clean energy jobs, a safer environment and true energy independence that comes from domestic, renewable energy.”
Millions of dollars are raised by political committees affiliated with the NRDC Action Fund for candidates they feel are pro-environment. So far this election cycle almost $17 million has been raised through the donor platform GiveGreen.com.
Abrams, who also ran for Governor in 2018 and narrowly lost to Republican Brian Kemp, outlined her environmental policies on her campaign website. Among the environmental action she is proposing are a green savings plan for taxpayers, developing an environmental tech workforce and expanding the Peach State’s carbon sequestration registry.
According to the Abrams campaign website, her environmental action plan “will generate significant job growth through advanced energy generation, innovative technologies and energy efficiency efforts.”
Abrams said the state will “train and retain workers for good-paying jobs in advanced energy sectors, and we will coordinate state and local action and develop public-private partnerships for greater impact across the state to implement advanced energy solutions.”
A recent Quinnipiac Poll shows Abrams and Kemp tied with 48% support from Georgia voters. Abrams leads with women voters, Black voters and the 18-34 demographic. The poll found Kemp leading among White voters and voters over the age of 50.
The environment was not among the issues Georgia voters said were most urgent to them.
“With both candidates getting positive numbers on honesty, empathy and leadership, Kemp and Abrams are in a Governor’s race too close to call,” said polling analyst Tim Malloy.