Washington, D.C. – The Business Council for Sustainable Energy this week led a coalition of clean energy businesses and organizations in sending a letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committees in support of robust funding for clean energy programs across the federal government in fiscal year 2024. Signatories advocated for support for bipartisan Senate spending proposals which adhere to the negotiated budget caps.
A collection of statements from signatories to the joint coalition letter are found below:
Lisa Jacobson, President, Business Council for Sustainable Energy
“Consistent and robust funding for federal clean energy and energy efficiency programs has helped to bring about the clean energy transition that is now hard-wired into the U.S. economy. This transition is benefiting U.S. taxpayers and consumers through increased job opportunities, improved energy security, greater reliability of our electric grid, and a more competitive U.S. manufacturing sector and economy. Congress should continue to maintain its longstanding support of clean energy and energy efficiency programs across the federal government to build upon the economic gains we are currently experiencing.”
Billie Kaumaya, Head of Federal Affairs, American Clean Power Association
“In the last year alone, America’s clean energy industry created 30,000 new American manufacturing jobs, announced 83 new or expanded U.S.-based utility-scale clean energy manufacturing plants, and brought in more than $270 billion in private sector investments in American clean energy. Energy programs spanning many federal agencies support such investments and foster innovation in the private sector. On behalf of America’s burgeoning clean energy industry, we urge Congress to deliver robust funding in FY 2024 for clean energy programs. Together, we can deliver even greater results.”
Stuart Saulters, Vice President of Government Relations, American Public Gas Association
“Public gas utilities reliably provide affordable energy to millions of Americans across the nation. As stewards of their communities and the environment, these utilities remain committed to keeping costs low and reducing emissions. Federal investments in natural gas infrastructure and innovations are essential for public utilities to continue providing homes and businesses with safe, cost-effective energy. APGA urges Congress to continue funding research and development programs that bolster emissions reductions and further energy efficiency technologies – a pivotal investment in both the future of municipal gas utilities and American clean energy.”
Lynn Abramson, President, Clean Energy Business Network
“Small businesses across the country are innovating the next generation of clean, affordable, reliable energy solutions with support from federal grant and technical assistance programs. Continuing to scale investment in federal energy programs is critical to creating opportunities for startups and small businesses to bring their technologies to market and create jobs and economic growth in their communities.”
Geoffrey Dietz, Director, Federal Government Affairs, Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas
“Federal programs play a critical role in supporting methane abatement from organic waste across the U.S. and the beneficial use of those avoided methane emissions as a clean fuel or clean energy feedstock. The public servants that administer these important programs are valued partners of the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas. We urge Congress to ensure they are well-resourced and supported to position the U.S. to achieve its decarbonization goals and serve as a global leader in the sustainable development, deployment, and utilization of renewable gases.”
Sandra Purohit, Director of Federal Advocacy, E2
“E2’s recent analysis shows that federal clean energy investments from the IRA are rejuvenating U.S. manufacturing, creating jobs, and spurring private sector investment across the country. As Congress works to finalize government funding for the coming year, we urge members to protect these essential investments in the American economy.”
Frank Wolak, President and CEO, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA)
“According to the Road Map to a U.S. Hydrogen Economy report developed by McKinsey and Company, hydrogen has the potential by 2050 to account for 14 percent of our nation’s energy demand, generate 3.5 million jobs, reduce carbon emissions by 16 percent, and reduce nitrogen oxides by 36 percent. This only becomes a reality if we choose to make informed investments and incentives across all sectors of our economy. Therefore, FCHEA continues to urge Congress to provide stable funding for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Transportation (DOT) programs which support early, mid-, and late-stage fuel cell and hydrogen technology research, development, and deployment to facilitate a wide-scale adoption of hydrogen production and utilization nationwide.”
John Prunkl, Chair, Heat is Power Association
“The Heat is Power Association (HiP) urges Congress to support robust funding for clean energy and energy efficiency programs and accounts, specifically those that invest in or support clean energy research and development and industrial decarbonization. The DOE’s EERE, IEDO, and OCED fund critically important programs, such as CHP Technical Assistance Partnerships, that support the waste heat to power industry and transition the U.S. toward a clean energy future.”
Malcolm Woolf, President and CEO of the National Hydropower Association
“Hydropower has a critical role to play in the clean energy transition by providing reliable, dispatchable baseload power that can replace fossil fuels. Robust funding for renewable energy programs, and in particular, DOE’s Water Power Technologies Offices (WPTO) within EERE, is critical to the future success of the hydropower industry, as WPTO invests in innovative hydropower, pumped storage, and marine energy technologies, research and development, and workforce development programs. Congress should work to protect these research, development, and demonstration programs that provide essential investments in the clean energy industry and the American Economy.”
Ben Evans, Federal Legislative Director, U.S. Green Building Council
“These investments pay huge dividends for developing energy efficiency and green building technologies and driving them into the market. They create economic growth, reduce climate pollution, and help households and businesses reduce their energy consumption, which saves money and relieves strain on the grid. Congress should protect these investments to keep the U.S. at the forefront of the clean energy transition.”
Media contact: Lizzie Stricklin
Email: lstricklin@bcse.org
Phone: 202.785.0507 ext. 1504