Kamala Harris’ Opportunity Economy Centers Climate and Clean Energy

Washington, D.C. — During her economic speech in Pittsburgh, Kamala  Harris today laid out how her Opportunity Economy will lower costs and create good-paying clean energy jobs  — centering climate in her economic agenda. Harris spoke about Eos, a battery manufacturing plant that created hundreds of good-paying jobs in nearby Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania thanks to investments from the clean energy plan. In response, Lori Lodes, Executive Director of Climate Power, released the following statement: 

“Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote to pass the clean energy plan created hundreds of thousands of good paying jobs, revitalizing communities like Turtle Creek and countless more all across the country. Harris’ economic agenda will build on this progress and create a brighter, clean energy future where made-in-America manufacturing thrives and costs come down. Donald Trump envisions an America where thousands of clean energy workers get laid off so his Big Oil donors profit off working families and pollute our communities. Kamala Harris will fight for an economy where every American has the opportunity to succeed – Trump is only fighting for himself.”

Clean energy and climate highlights from the speech:

• “We have created almost 740,000 manufacturing jobs, including 650 at the battery manufacturing plant over in Turtle Creek, and we have supported another 15,000 jobs at Montgomery Locks.”
• “My opponent Donald Trump, well he makes big promises on manufacturing. Just yesterday, he went out and promised to bring back manufacturing jobs, and if that sounds familiar, it should…All told, almost 200,000 manufacturing jobs were lost during his presidency starting before the pandemic hit, making Trump one of the biggest losers ever on manufacturing.”
• “When I am President, we will double the number of registered apprenticeships by the end of my first term. […] One of the things we must do, understanding that and understanding the nature of that part of our educational system is, let’s eliminate degree requirements while increasing skills development.”

Climate Power today also announced two ads touting Eos, a clean energy battery storage facility in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania – the revitalized community Harris named in her speech. “Allie” and “Pride” feature Turtle Creek Mayor Adam Forgie, and an employee at Eos. The ads are running in Pennsylvania as part of a $3.1 million educational campaign.