Last week I had the pleasure of attending POLITICO’s “The Fifty - America’s Governors,” an event hosting a handful of governors who discussed their views of each state’s environmental economy, and their goals as governor. Here are some of my impressions, specifically on Governors Chris Sununu, Roy Cooper, and Doug Burgum:
● Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH):
○ “The government is not here to solve your problems – it’s here to create as many opportunities as we can for you and your families.”
○ Democrats are playing the game of big government, and the modern Republican party is trying to outplay them at the same game;
○ Both Democrats and Republicans have extremes; not everyone in either party is wrong. To that end…
○ 80% of people are in the middle of said extremes and want to get something done;
○ Considering running for president.
● Roy Cooper (D-NC)
○ Prioritizes stopping “culture war legislation” between parties while making economic progress in-state;
○ Acted as Chairman of the Democratic Governors Convention this past cycle.
○ On the state economy:
■ Tax the wealthy, invest more in childcare and childhood education;
■ Burgum was able to convince state republicans that EV tech and cleantech would put money into the state;
● “This is where the private sector is going, and we have to get North Carolina out in front of it.”
■ Because of carbon neutrality legislature, Gov. Cooper promoted heavy duty and mid size truck regulations to decrease sales;
● Result: EV automation manufacturer, wolfspeed semiconductors, Toyota batteries, EV boat manufacturer all produce in-state now;
● Republicans like it bc even though it’s climate focused, supports private business and economic growth of NC.
○ On abortion:
■ NC still offers some abortion access
■ Talks of heartbeat bill at 6 weeks and other restrictions
■ Said Democrats should “hold the line”
■ Will not back down on critical access to abortion
■ Money was the biggest factor in Democrat's loss in NC compared to abortion turnout votes in places like Pennsylvania and Michigan - Sherry Beasley faced $53 million spending gap.
○ On the environment:
■ Trump took us out of Paris Accord, defunded EPA;
■ Issued executive orders to bolster anti-environmental stance;
■ Energy grid Carbon reduction 70% by 2030 and neutral by 2050;
■ Federal government can help, especially in infrastructure sector.
○ On political parties:
■ Redistricting votes in state supreme court?
■ Fears of a Supreme Court that ignores the judiciary, the constitution and precedent in favor of Republicans.
● Doug Burgum (R-ND)
○ On the environment:
■ Significant chunk of biofuels will be carbon zero;
● Big deal with corn production;
■ Project that will take all diesel from ethanol;
■ Tax credits for CO2 capture in North Dakota;
■ More money going to ESG initiatives;
■ Other states have to have discipline to embrace innovation and do the work;
■ Took about a decade to get out from under EPA and take their own legislative action;
■ Each state is a platform for innovation and has a unique opportunity to differentiate itself.
○ What is the future of EVs for North Dakota?
■ Big electric state;
■ Push towards EVs with enormous subsidies is in contradiction with goals;
■ Assume Electrification would work in all climates but not true;
■ Won’t see battery powered trains in 20 years, maybe hydrogen?
● Same with trucking, hydrogen vs electric;
■ Batteries, cold weather, etc. a lot doesn’t work;
■ Have to decarbonize liquid fuels;
○ Current energy policy has enabled foreign dictators;
■ Putin wouldn’t have made a move if he didn’t have stranglehold on Western European energy.