The Democratic Party’s platform on energy and climate has shifted dramatically leftward, putting the party in sync with the climate policies advocated by its wealthiest donor, billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer.
Steyer, who made the bulk of his money as a hedge fund manager at investment firm Farallon Capital, has spent this election year pouring millions of dollars into the campaign coffers of Democratic candidates. All that money may be paying dividends, as the Democratic Party platform’s policies on climate change reflect those of Steyer’s.
Steyer brags about the shift. “It is a quantum leap forward from four years ago,” Steyer said, adding that, “I think we have the most progressive environmental platform in the history of the Democratic Party and in the history of American politics.”
Steyer, a Clinton supporter, also blasted the ever-increasing influence money has on U.S. politics during the interview, telling reporters the country needs financial reform to prohibit “self-interested” businessmen from purchasing the government. Steyer believes that “you absolutely cannot” buy policy changes with political contributions.
Leaked emails show that Steyer intentionally sought to purchase policy changes with political contributions in violation of his own maxim.
Steyer’s money heavily influenced the Democratic National Committee’s 2016 campaign platform on climate change and renewable energy, according to hacked Democratic National Committee (DNC) emails uncovered by free market group the Energy and Environment Legal Institute (E&E Legal).
The new party platform mirrors the green billionaire’s objectives, in that it requires the U.S. to generate at least half of its energy from non-carbon-emitting sources such as solar and wind by 2030. The DNC “adopted the Steyer agenda word for word,” reports E&L.
Steyer and his political action group, NextGen Climate Action, wrote a report earlier this year titled, “Fact Sheet: Powering America With More Than 50 Percent Clean Energy by 2030.” The recommendations in the reports are shown here alongside the planks developed earlier this week by the Democratic Party.
E&E Legal report comparing word for word the Democratic Party platform and the policies highlighted by Steyer’s NextGen Climate group
Steyer shoveled nearly $7 million into the PAC, bringing his total donations to the group to $18 million, according to an Associated Press report July 21. Steyer aso managed to contribute nearly $32 million to Democratic political candidates in 2016.
Follow Chris on Facebook and Twitter
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.