WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) Executive Director Heather Reams released the following statement after the U.S. House passed the fiscal year 2020 appropriations and tax package, including the energy and water development appropriations bill.
“Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions appreciates the significant investment that Congressional appropriators continue to make in key programs at the U.S. Department of Energy that advance research and development in clean energy,” said CRES Executive Director Heather Reams. “Support for programs such as the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy program, carbon capture technologies, and the programs in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy are imperative to ensuring our clean energy economy makes the advancements it needs in the near and long-term in order to reduce emissions.”
“However, it is evident from this tax package that clean energy was not a priority for this Congress given that provisions with broad, bipartisan support were not included. Congress has made a major miscalculation in choosing not to expand the investment tax credit for energy storage as this pro-growth policy would level the playing field for more technologies and provide long-term certainty to the marketplace. Energy storage is critical to the future of clean energy because it allows for the stockpiling of power for when consumers and business need it most. Energy storage is a clean, resiliency enhancing, all-of-the-above next generation technology worthy of investment and equal support from federal tax incentives. CRES is disappointed that this bipartisan provision was left on the cutting room floor. We remain grateful for Senator Susan Collins, Senator Cory Gardner and Congressman Vern Buchanan, who continued to push for this job-creating tax credit, and look forward to continuing this fight next year.”
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Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) engages Republican policymakers and the public about responsible, conservative solutions to address our nation’s energy, economic, and environmental security while increasing America’s competitive edge.