Inslee climate plan calls for investing $9 trillion in green jobs

Democratic presidential hopeful Jay Inslee is releasing a second major climate plan that calls for investing $9 trillion to jumpstart a green economy.

The Washington governor’s plan, unveiled Thursday, aims to create 8 million jobs over 10 years with a public investment of $3 trillion while pushing to leverage $6 trillion in private investments.

Inslee called his Evergreen Economy Plan a “comprehensive vision to build a clean energy economy.” He said it would invest in industries, infrastructure, skilled labor, technology development and the manufacturing sector. The plan also includes investments in affordable housing and municipal infrastructure.{mosads}

“Today, America faces a new threat to our modern civilization: climate change. This challenge also presents an unprecedented economic opportunity, to lead the world in building a clean energy future,” Inslee’s climate plan reads.

“Just as it did in the 20th century, America must rise to this 21st century challenge with a bold plan to: create jobs; protect workers’ rights; repower the economy; rebuild our infrastructure; and reinvest in innovation.”

The proposal is the second part of Inslee’s climate agenda. His first plan, released in early May, outlined goals of transitioning the U.S. electric grid, vehicles and buildings to 100 percent clean energy by 2030.

While still towards the bottom of the crowded primary field in polls, Inslee is the only Democrat running primarily on platform targeting climate change – an issue that has energized Democratic voters nationally.

Four other Democratic candidates have introduced policy plans that touch on climate action. Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) have all introduced proposals that touch on cutting carbon emissions. Former Vice President Joe Biden is also in the process of drafting a climate plan.