RELEASE: Clean Energy Companies Call for Senate Action on Budget Deal
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, clean energy companies called on the U.S. Senate to return to the table to reach agreement on job-creating, cost-cutting investments in clean energy tax credits. The companies’ statements are below (listed alphabetically by company name).
Adapture Renewables, CEO and President, Thomas Houghton: “We cannot afford to miss this opportunity to make a long-term investment that will ensure that future generations enjoy the same opportunity to live and prosper as the current ones. A deal on clean energy investments will simultaneously combat inflation through the production of the lowest cost energy via renewables and avert long-term inflation by combating the effects of climate change. This is an opportunity to create thousands of good paying jobs. It is an opportunity to make a lasting and meaningful impact for the betterment of society and humanity, and what greater cause can there be.”
Elemental Excelerator, Co-Director, Policy Lab, Christina Angelides: “It is essential for our nation’s policymakers to stay at the table and continue negotiating for clean energy this summer. Community organizations, corporates, and startups have all come together to move our nation forward in combating climate change. Now we need policymakers to put effective policies in place to ensure progress towards an equitable energy transition continues at pace.”
Evergreen Climate Innovations, Chief Executive Officer, Erik Birkerts: “The clean energy industry is an important and growing part of our Midwest region's economy. Last year, Michigan added more new energy jobs -- 35,463 jobs -- than any other state in the country, driven by investments in advanced transportation and the electric vehicle supply chain. However, we need congressional action to support continued investment in innovation and to address our energy and climate challenges. Doing so will lead to the creation of hundreds of thousands of good paying jobs in the Midwest and beyond.”
Ideematec, Inc., Chief Executive Officer, Philipp Klemm: “The private sector is doing its part to lower consumer cost for clean energy, fight for a reversal of costly climate change and support the continued renewables job growth in N.A. We need every Senator to remove obstacles, support this movement and keep the United States ahead in this critical moment for humanity.”
Intersect Power, CEO, Sheldon Kimber: “Geopolitical turmoil and soaring fuel prices should be a wake up call for passing clean energy tax incentives in Congress. Currently, we’re leaving jobs and global influence on the table, while leaving consumers vulnerable to any tyrant that sows chaos in energy markets. If the United States is going to lead the industries of tomorrow that will inevitably be driven by climate change, then policy incentives have to be in place to compete with the rest of the world. Our industry is ready to scale up and deliver economic opportunity to businesses, communities and households -- rural and urban areas alike. The largest economy on earth should have energy policies charting our future. It’s imperative that our legislative leaders come back to the table and hammer out legislation that can pass. It’s time that our leaders prove that they are still worthy of the trust we put in them. It's time to demonstrate that we have not forgotten how to rise to the challenge of society’s largest problems.”
Summit Ridge Energy, Chairman and CEO, Steve Raeder: "We've reached a critical moment in history. Americans are looking for economic relief, family-sustaining jobs and affordable energy solutions. Reaching an agreement to support clean energy investments will enable our leaders in the Senate to lower consumer costs, unlock economic recovery at scale and put our country on track to becoming a global energy leader. I urge the Senate to return to the table and come to a consensus in order to pass the clean energy provisions of the reconciliation package."
Sunnova, founder and CEO, William J. (John) Berger: “If Congress is concerned about inflation and creating well-paying jobs, they should be pro-solar, which is anti-inflationary, pro-capitalism and pro-economic growth. The financial cost of inaction on climate change eclipses any temporary inflation. Accelerating the growth of solar is a massive economic opportunity for the U.S. and we should be working towards leading the world in domestic manufacturing and solar deployments. We need Congress to act now.”
Sunrun, CEO Mary Powell: “"Congress must act now to address energy inflation and to secure U.S. energy independence. Renewable fuel costs never rise and no country can dictate when the sun shines on America.”
SunPower, Head of Policy and Strategy, Suzanne Leta: “Congress can address two of the country’s biggest concerns — inflation and energy resiliency — by including clean energy tax credits in the current reconciliation bill. Our leaders have the opportunity to ensure Americans get access to clean, reliable energy at a low cost, spur the economy with tens of thousands of well-paying jobs, and take important steps towards reaching critical climate goals, but they need to act now.”
Wärtsilä Energy, Vice President, Energy Storage and Optimization, Andy Tang: “Passing the investment tax credit for energy storage has never been more critical given President Biden’s acknowledgment that we’ve entered a new state of emergency over climate change. This small carrot will incentivize battery investment in the U.S, offset high costs caused by temporary supply chain issues, and give investors much-needed certainty. This is our chance to ensure affordable electricity bills for all Americans, create and preserve hundreds of thousands of good paying clean jobs, generate meaningful local revenues from renewable energy development, and clinch a leading global position in the energy transition.”
Coalition for Community Solar Access, President and CEO, Jeff Cramer: "The Senate needs to lead the way right now on a climate package. If they don’t, it could be years before meaningful measures are put in place to truly address climate change — we don’t have time to waste. The incentives and tax credits for distributed solar in the proposed deal are specifically designed to deploy solar in low and middle income communities while reducing energy costs and burden on those who are the most impacted by inflation. Congress must act.”
Clean Energy for America, Executive Director, Andrew Reagan: “Now is not the time to quit on clean energy. No matter where you live or what state you represent, clean energy like wind and solar is affordable, attainable and economically beneficial. Missing this moment will needlessly delay clean energy development and continue to saddle consumers with the high costs of volatile fossil fuel energy. There is still time for senators to return to the table and finalize a deal that will accelerate the transition to clean energy, that will save consumers money, attack inflation, and create jobs across the country.”
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CONTACT: Kris Fetterman, kris@sevenletter.com
Clean Energy for America: CE4A amplifies the voice of the clean energy workforce and advocates for policies and leaders that’ll advance just, equitable and rapid decarbonization. CE4A is a 501(c)4 organization.