Washington, DC – Today, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) celebrated successful negotiation of the Energy Act of 2020, the nation’s first clean energy innovation package in more than a decade. The package was included with bipartisan support as part of COVID-19 relief and omnibus spending legislation.
In response to the historic news, CRES Executive Director Heather Reams offered the following statement:
“Despite the many struggles that our nation has endured in 2020, the year is ending on a high note for the clean energy sector, which is good news for the economy. The Energy Act of 2020 symbolizes a monumental win for commonsense, all-of-the-above clean energy policies that will move America forward. This package puts American innovation and ingenuity first by investing in critical research and development that will support wind, solar, hydropower and other forms of renewable energy, encourage U.S. exploration of critical minerals, promote safe and reliable nuclear energy and advance carbon management and removal. Further, the omnibus extends tax credit deadlines for clean energy projects, such as solar and wind, which were delayed due to the pandemic, and extends carbon capture and sequestration tax credits. These tax credits will support U.S. innovation, construction and development in the clean energy sector, generate homegrown American jobs, and help maintain our energy independence.
The Energy Act of 2020 will strengthen our nation’s grid while simultaneously decreasing our dependence on foreign supply chains and helping to rebuild an American manufacturing base. CRES applauds Republican House Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski, House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Greg Walden and House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Frank Lucas for their leadership on the Energy Act of 2020 and their resolve to see through this historic clean energy package. CRES also commends Senator Susan Collins and Representatives Jeff Fortenberry, Brian Mast and David McKinley for championing provisions that will solve critical energy challenges, support resilient energy storage and enhance our economy and national security. These Republicans have been vocal advocates of clean energy policies that will protect our climate through thoughtful, free-market solutions – not heavy-handed government mandates that stifle economic growth and quash innovation.
Passage of this bill will be a tremendous accomplishment, but our work does not stop here. As we close out what has been a difficult year and welcome 2021 and the start of a new Congress, CRES looks forward to continuing to work with these and other Republicans to advance meaningful clean energy policies.”