ICYMI: Clean Energy Leaders Applaud House for Passing Build Back Better Act With Historic Investments in Clean Energy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 22, 2021 

Press Contact: Andrew Reagan, andrew@ceforamerica.org, (317) 607-5649

ICYMI: Clean Energy Leaders Applaud House for Passing Build Back Better Act With Historic Investments in Clean Energy

(Washington, D.C.) –– Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) with historic investments in clean energy. 

Clean energy leaders from around the country released the following statements highlighting how the clean energy investments in BBBA will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, lower household energy costs, and help combat the climate crisis: 

Mary Powell, CEO, Sunrun

“We’re elated that the House passed the Build Back Better Act with historic investments in the clean energy economy. Experts have made clear the United States needs to urgently increase its use of solar power to address climate change, and that's exactly what the Build Back Better Act will allow us to do. These critical clean energy investments will accelerate the transition to renewable energy, and enable us to modernize our electric grid and make it more resilient to extreme weather events. We need the Senate to act quickly and deliver more solar energy to the American people. Climate change will not wait.” 

Jon Powers, Co-Founder and President, CleanCapital

“The Build Back Better agenda represents a generational investment in our future. With the House's vote, we’re one step closer to securing historic investments for clean energy businesses like mine that are committed to making clean energy accessible to everyone. I joined CleanCaptial, after serving overseas in Iraq with the U.S. Army’s energy program, because I believe that deploying clean energy technologies nationwide bolsters our national security. The critical investments in clean energy included in the Build Back Better Act will create good paying jobs and ensure American leadership in the industries of the 21st century. Now, our eyes are on the Senate to pass this historic bill, so we can continue growing the clean energy economy.” 

Suzanne Leta, Head of Policy and Strategy, SunPower

"On Friday the House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act, putting us one step closer to the largest piece of clean energy legislation in our history. While much attention has been paid to its important social components, one third of the funding in this bill is dedicated to making renewable energy more accessible to everyday Americans. This is an unprecedented step that includes critical elements like the tax credits that are proven to bolster adoption, as well as important environmental justice programs. The Senate must now act quickly to approve this legislation and help our nation take a critical step in the fight against climate change."  

Donnel Baird, Founder and CEO, BlocPower

“I applaud the House of Representatives for passing the Build Back Better Act and urge the Senate to to quickly put this historic legislation on President Biden’s desk. The Build Back Better Act will combat environmental injustice by providing good paying jobs and making clean energy more accessible for communities across the country.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime piece of legislation that will reduce cost barriers to accessing clean energy, promote health equity, and boost much needed building electrification projects.” 

Tom Soto, Founder and Managing Director, Diverse Communities Impact Fund

“With the House’s passage of the Build Back Better Act, we are on the cusp of realizing a clean energy future that lifts up all Americans. This historic legislation is a crucial step towards ensuring affordable energy, clean air, and a livable climate for all communities. I urge the Senate to quickly pass this historic legislation to deliver for the American people.” 

Katie Mehnert, CEO and Founder, ALLY Energy 

“Net Zero and a just transition will only happen when we accelerate access to highly skilled human capital, tap into diverse talent across all forms of energy, and create inclusive enduring culture. It’s going to take true allyship among Congress, the entire energy industry and the markets to bring us one step closer to this future. The energy sector already supports millions of great American jobs and the Build Back Better Act will create as many as 679,000 new jobs annually, for both big and small businesses. Working together to find a common ground will help our nation create jobs and climate technologies that will enable decarbonization and bring a sustainable energy transition forward for America.  

J.W. Postal, Founder CEO, Nikola Power

“The Build Back Better Act includes transformational climate investments that will position the United States to achieve an equitable and just 100 percent clean energy economy. We are thankful that the House voted to accelerate renewable energy development and expand energy storage in order to meet the scale of the climate crisis. The Senate must act quickly to move this legislation to final passage. We cannot meet our nation’s climate goals without it.” 

John Carrington, CEO, Stem

“Stem, Inc. commends Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Majority Whip Clyburn, and Chairman Neal for their steadfast leadership and support in getting the Build Back Better Act passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. We also want to thank all of those Members in the House that voted to accelerate the clean energy transition by approving a number of key provisions which will drive global decarbonization – chiefly the tax policy that supports turning intermittent, renewable technologies into dispatchable assets. The federal investment tax credit for standalone storage is vital to realizing a clean, resilient, dynamic, equitable, and smart – what we call the “fast and flexible” – grid for all. If passed, it could increase energy storage deployments by 20% or more and lead the way to lowering greenhouse gases nationwide! Now, we encourage the Senate to take up this bill and pass it so we can begin deploying critical capital and help be the catalyst for supporting hundreds of thousands of direct, homegrown U.S. clean energy jobs.”

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Clean Energy for America amplifies the voice of the clean energy workforce in advocating for policies and leaders to advance just, equitable, and rapid decarbonization.