The Climate Crisis must be addressed immediately. The state and all local governments need to create a plan to reduce and ultimately eliminate dependence on fossil fuels, create jobs to address this time of transition, construct the infrastructure to facilitate the change, secure for the state clean air and water, climate and community resiliency, provide healthy food, access to nature, and a sustainable environment. Low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately affected by the impacts of air pollution, water pollution, and toxic hazards like lead that increase health and economic hardship. These plans need to promote justice and equity by involving all marginalized communities in their creation. Democrats believe clean air and clean water are basic rights of all Georgians.

Georgia Democrats support:

Energy 

• Reducing statewide carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and by 100% by 2050 and advocating for statewide collaboration to decrease our energy consumption. 
• Working with local governments and school systems to design a plan to move towards buildings and vehicles being powered by renewable energy by 2035.  
• Protecting communities from the toxins in coal ash by ensuring that all coal ash is stored in dry, lined, and capped facilities. Monitoring and supporting increased regulation of commercial data centers to limit their negative environmental impact.

Economic Justice and Growth

• Adopting a comprehensive set of consumer financial incentives for the purchase of climate-friendly technology such as solar panels, electric vehicles, and charging equipment, with an emphasis on access for disadvantaged communities who are historically less likely to benefit from environmental efforts.
• Reforming the state’s Public Service Commission. Reducing monopolies and encouraging competition, allow for competitive renewable energy expansion, requiring power companies to shoulder their own investment risk, and ultimately lower rates while achieving sustainability goals. 

Infrastructure/Transportation

• Expanding passenger rail and zero-emission bus routes while implementing public transportation options for all communities.
• Monitoring underserved areas and providing incentives to provide equitable charging facilities.
• Increasing the energy efficiency of homes and implementing programs that serve all income levels becoming energy efficient. Establish rating guidelines for energy consumption. 

Environment

• • Protection of our public lands, wetlands, and watersheds to include supporting the expansion of these spaces by strengthening our laws and enforcement of existing laws regulating state parks and forests.
  • Incentives for metro regions and municipalities to develop land use plans that allow for more compact, walkable communities. 
  • Promote local regulations and enforcement for clear-cutting and grading of land for homes and businesses. Promoting and advocating for waste reduction and waste reduction strategies.
  • Incentives and programs that study, test and promote biodiversity, and wildlife viability. Support monitoring and containing invasive species across the state.

Excerpt taken from the Democratic Party of Georgia’s Platform, adopted in May of 2024.
–Muscogee Democratic Committee