Vance deflects on climate change policy in debate

During the vice-presidential debate, Sen. JD Vance suggested the U.S. should focus on re-shoring energy production and manufacturing instead of aggressively pursuing clean energy technologies.

Philip Bump reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

Vance claimed that the U.S. should be producing more energy domestically rather than investing in solar panels made in China.
He argued that increased American manufacturing would result in cleaner energy production than what currently happens overseas.
Critics point out that Republican opposition a decade ago hindered U.S. leadership in clean energy manufacturing.

Key quote:

“We’re the cleanest economy in the entire world.”

— Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio

Why this matters:

While re-shoring production sounds beneficial, relying on past GOP opposition to clean energy investments has hampered U.S. efforts to lead in this sector. Climate change continues to demand more immediate, systemic action.

Related coverage:

www.washingtonpost.com

Vance deflects on climate change policy in debate

As waters around Alaska warm, algal toxins are turning up in new places in the food web

Surging energy demand helps fuel Trump’s love affair with coal

Two women, two different continents, but they have the same problem with their farms

Iran was already running out of water. Then came the ‘war on infrastructure’

Utilities warn of soaring costs related to Trump order for Indiana coal plants to stay open

White House’s ‘drill baby drill’ wartime mandate meets volatile market reality

Wealthy investors target foes of clean energy, seeking revenge

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.