Gore’s Environmental Spending Threatens to Bust Budget

Cost Estimates for Gore’s Environmental Plans

Program Cost

Tax credits for producing electricity from renewable sources (wind, biomass) $5 billion over ten years

Technologies for Tomorrow Challenge $68 billion over ten years

Promoting Energy Efficient Technologies $13.5 billion over ten years

Keep American Moving Initiative (light rail, high speed trains, etc.) $25 billion over ten years

Ratify Kyoto Protocol $397 billion annually after 2010

Overturn NAAQS decision $150 billion annually

Everglades Re-Study $11 billion over 30 years

Restore National Parks $5 billion

CARA and Lands Legacy Initiative $30 billion over ten years

Anti-Sprawl and Greenspace Initiatives $2 billion over ten years

Total

$706 billion in new government spending, tax credits, or losses to the economy.

Source: “Energy Environment and Transportation,” U.S. Senate Budget Committee, “Prosperity for America’s Families,” Al Gore, September 6, 2000.