In this blog post, we examine the policies and positions of Reverend Raphael Warnock, incumbent Democratic candidate running for U.S. Senate in Georgia. Also in this series, we profile Herschel Walker, the Republican candidate for the same US Senate seat in Georgia.
Cary Ritzler and Guest Blog | September 29, 2022 | Climate Change, Elections, Energy Policy, GeorgiaBrady Watson, former Civic Engagement Coordinator for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, also contributed to this blog post.
This post is part of a series examining where 2022 candidates running for public offices in the Southeast stand on key energy and climate issues. Note: The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy does not support or oppose candidates or political parties. Links to reports, candidate websites, and outside sources are provided as citizen education tools.
In this blog post, we examine the policies and positions of Reverend Raphael Warnock, incumbent Democratic candidate running for U.S. Senate in Georgia. Also in this series, we profile Herschel Walker, the Republican candidate for the same U.S. Senate seat in Georgia. Election Day is November 8, 2022, and also features an election for Governor in the state of Georgia between Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams, and incumbent Republican Brian Kemp.
Reverend Raphael Warnock grew up in Savannah, Georgia in a family with 11 siblings. His father was a small businessman and a preacher, and his mother worked in agriculture. Warnock attended Morehouse College, earned a Ph.D and was ordained in the ministry. He serves as Senior Pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the former pulpit of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
As a Senator, Reverend Warnock introduced the Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act to rapidly boost American solar manufacturing, accelerate the transition to clean energy, and support American energy independence. The bill was passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act in August of 2022.
Climate Change
On his website, it states that “Reverend Warnock believes we must accept the science, invest in infrastructure, and combat the climate crisis that is already at our door. He sees climate change as a moral issue, which we must act on by ignoring Washington special interests, and instead putting effective, common sense policies in place.” In the Senate, Reverend Warnock has:
- Supported efforts to rejoin the Paris Climate Accords
- Worked to reverse rollbacks on EPA standards for clean air and water
- Worked to pass legislation that will invest in green infrastructure through both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to protect Georgia’s coastline from rising sea-levels
Electric Transportation
As a Senator, Warnock worked to pass legislation that would invest in electric school buses, and funding was ultimately included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Warnock also worked to secure $20 million in electric vehicle charging network grants for Georgia.
Energy Equity and Energy Burden
Senator Warnock worked with Senator Jon Ossoff to secure funding to lower energy bills for Georgia farmers and small businesses. Warnock’s website also states that “He understands that the harm we do to the planet often disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. He believes environmental policy doesn’t just focus on addressing long-term challenges, but everyday problems. That means recognizing and resolving the lack of access to clean water and air many Black and brown families endure and the higher share of income those families regularly pay in energy bills.”
High-Risk Energy: Coal, Nuclear, Oil, Gas
In an interview with Georgia Conservation Voters Executive Director Brionte McCorkle in 2020, then-candidate Warnock stated the need to move away from fossil fuels.
Voter Information
The voter registration deadline for the U.S. Senate election in Georgia is October 11, and early voting begins on October 17. Election Day for the 2022 midterms will be held on November 8, 2022. Find voting information in Georgia.
Read the Where the Candidates Stand on Climate and Clean Energy Blog Series
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