PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JI LEE; SOURCE: PETE SOUZA / WHITE HOUSE (OFFICE); TOM WILLIAMS / CQ ROLL CALL / AP (TRUMP); YVONNE HEMSEY / GETTY; ORJAN F. ELLINGVAG / DAGBLADET / GETTY; ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP / GETTY; D. DIPASUPIL / FILMMAGIC / GETTY; DESIREE NAVARRO / FILMMAGIC / GETTY; JEMAL COUNTESS / WIREIMAGE / GETTY; JOE RAEDLE / GETTY; MYRNA SUAREZ / GETTY (FRAMED PHOTOS)
Big business has weighed in on Trump’s desire to reverse Obama’s energy policy. More than 300 Fortune 500 companies have signed on to a statement which reaffirms their commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement. Articulating the business case for the continuation of low carbon policies, it stated, “Implementing the Paris Agreement will enable and encourage businesses and investors to turn the billions of dollars in existing low-carbon investments into the trillions of dollars the world needs to bring clean energy and prosperity to all.”
The majority of America’s infrastructure is in dire condition and not prepared to withstand the anticipated effects of climate change. Trump’s proposed American Energy & Infrastructure Act intends to leverage public-private partnerships to spur $1 trillion in infrastructure investment. Modernizing the country’s crumbling infrastructure will ensure the resilience of local communities against an uncertain future. However, some analysis has characterized the infrastructure plan as a veiled government handout to investors.
Municipal Investment
Trump has spoken favorably about Build America Bonds (BABs). These bonds were introduced as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act enacted by President Barack Obama in 2009 but were not renewed in 2010. BABs saved states and localities billions of dollars in interest costs by allowing issuers to borrow at rates that lower than what was received in the traditionally-pursued tax-exempt market.
SALEEM CHAPMAN
POLICY & ADVOCACY MANAGER
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