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A New Path for U.S. Climate Politics: Choosing Policies That Mobilize Business for Decarbonization

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  • Jonas Meckling

Abstract

What policies could mobilize business support for progressive and durable national climate policy in the United States? I examine the climate policy experiences of U.S. states and propose that a national clean energy standard combined with carefully allocated public investment in clean energy infrastructure and innovation could mobilize economic interests in support of decarbonization. Further, I argue that the more entrenched clean energy and infrastructure become, the more likely it becomes that comprehensive climate policies can be passed in the future. This includes performance and deployment mandates beyond the electricity industry, including in the transport and building sectors. These initial steps may also help to build a winning coalition for progressive federal carbon pricing, as opposed to an accommodative coalition in support of weak carbon pricing.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonas Meckling, 2019. "A New Path for U.S. Climate Politics: Choosing Policies That Mobilize Business for Decarbonization," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 685(1), pages 82-95, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:685:y:2019:i:1:p:82-95
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716219862515
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    References listed on IDEAS

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