Beto O’Rourke Releases a Hypocritical Climate Change Plan

Yesterday, 2020 hopeful Beto O’Rourke announced his $5 trillion plan to address climate change, which he has labeled “the greatest threat we face.” The plan calls for “slicing carbon emissions to net zero in 30 years, spending $5 trillion to make the country’s infrastructure more climate-friendly and ending oil and gas drilling on public lands.”

Yet, earlier this month Beto refused to sign a pledge rejecting campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry. Beto also took a 180 degree turn on his offshore drilling stance and now opposses the policy. According to The Texas Tribune, he “had a change of heart about his 2016 vote after traveling the country and talking to voters.” Beto also voted to lift the US oil export ban, a move “which the League of Conservation Voters called ‘anti-environment.’”

Beto has maintained a close relationship with the oil and gas industry. He was the second highest recipient of campaign contributions from the industry during the 2018 cycle and profited more than $1 million from personal investments in fossil fuel companies.

Beto is clearly trying to pander to the progressive base as he tries to distinguish himself among the 20 Democrats currently running in the presidential primary.