Howie's answers to questions regarding an equitable transition to 100% renewable energy, and how to deal with our current dependence on fossil fuels.

Policy Positions

Do you support a swift transition to 100% renewable energy, like wind and solar?

Yes

Please say more about what you'd do if elected to bring about a 100% renewable energy economy that works for all of us. (For example: publicly funded renewable energy projects, a 100% renewable electricity standard for utilities, electric vehicle incentives, a schedule for decommissioning fossil fuel power plants, etc.)

Enact the New York Off Fossil Fuels Act (NY OFF Act, A.5105/S. 5908) to require New York State to plan a transition to 100% clean energy by 2030. More details at http://www.howiehawkins.org/issues_clean_energy .

Do you support a moratorium on all new fossil fuel infrastructure, like pipelines and fracked gas power plants?

Yes

Please say more about what you'd do if elected to stop the expansion of the fossil fuel industry and keep fossil fuels in the ground. (For example: blocking pipeline permits, a fracking ban, divesting pension funds form fossil fuels, strengthening tribal consultation, blocking fossil fuel exploration, etc.)

Block or rescind all permits for fracked-gas pipelines and power plants. Divest state pension funds from fossil-fuel investments. More details at http://www.howiehawkins.org/issues_clean_energy .

Do you support a just and equitable transition to a fossil free economy that works for all of us?

Yes

Please say more about what you'd do if elected to ensure a just and equitable transition. We're interested in climate policies that seek to remedy existing environmental and social injustices.

(For example: renewable energy and public transit in underserved communities, project labor agreements with local unions to build renewables, community-owned renewables, a federal job guarantee for former fossil fuel industry employees, reparations for communities most impacted by fossil fuel pollution, etc.)

I promoted Just Transition programs with Richard Grossman's Environmentalists for Full Employment in the 1970s, with Tony Mazzochi et al. of the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers when they developed the Superfund for Workers, later called the Just Transition, in the 1980s, and as part of Green Party advocacy and campaigning since the 1980s. More details at http://www.howiehawkins.org/issues_clean_energy .

Running a Progressive Campaign

Do you pledge not to accept any contributions from the fossil fuel industry, as defined by the "No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge"? More information about the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge: http://nofossilfuelmoney.org/ .

Yes

Do you support fossil fuel divestment campaigns in your state and around the world?

Yes

Have you participated in any major climate mobilizations, marches, direct actions, or sit-ins in the past year? If so, please list them and note how you participated.

I was a co-founder of anti-nuclear/safe energy Clamshell Alliance in 1976 and arrested at many anti-nuclear occupations, blockades, and sit-ins. Many arrests for safe energy civil disobedience over the years, most recently for blockading Crestwood gas storage in salt mines by Seneca Lake and for a sit-in outside Gov. Cuomo's office last month demanding 100% clean energy, no new fossil-fuel infrastructure, and making polluters pay for their damages. Also last month I joined the weekly picket against the Competitive Power Ventures fracked-gas power plant.

What's your relationship with leading climate activists in your state/district? This can include local 350 groups, Sierra Club chapters, pipeline fighters, fracktivists, divestment campaigns, or local environmental justice organizations.

I worked with southern tier frackivists in formulating the fracking ban demand in 2008 when most enviros were calling for moratorium to study it or for using fracked-gas as a "bridge" to renewables. Ran for Governor on the ban in 2010 and 2014 while calling for 100% clean energy by 2030 and no new fossil-fuel infrastructure. We got the ban, blocked or slowed a lot of fossil-fuel infrastructure, and now we have the 100 by 30 bill introduced in the state legislature. Currently working most closely with 100% Renewables Now and Green Education and Legal Fund in New York State.

Please share an example of how you like to talk about the intersection of climate and other social justice issues on the campaign trail.(examples: climate and immigration, climate and racial justice, climate and income inequality, etc)

I use the Green New Deal framework to say we need to guarantee economic human rights to jobs or income, housing, education, and health care, which would have be the fulfillment Pres. Roosevelt's New Deal as he articulated it in his last State of the Union address for a second, economic bill of rights and add the right to a healthy and sustainable environment, which is why we call it the GREEN New Deal.

Would you be interested in doing a Facebook live event with 350 Action staff and local leaders?

Yes

On September 9th, 2018, the climate movement will come together in California and around the world for a massive day of climate action. Are you willing to mark this date on your calendar and potentially join us at an event?

Yes

Are you willing to join us at climate movement actions to speak out against the fossil fuel industry and/or the Trump Administration once you are in office?

Yes