Press Release
December 13, 2019
CONTACT:
[email protected] | Jennifer Molina – 323.939.6791
OAKLAND, CA – Today the California League of Conservation Voters urged Congressional members to extend critical clean energy tax credits. The tax credits will further efforts to implement clean energy technology, including energy storage, electric vehicles, renewable energy and energy efficiency. Clean energy tax credits, have proven to be a successful way to combat our climate crisis, fuel our economy and protect the health of our communities by gutting harmful emissions.
“When it comes to implementing clean energy initiatives – California must lead,” said Mary Creasman CEO of CLCV. “Our state is facing the effects of our climate crisis every single day, which is made worse by the reckless rollback of environmental protections by the Trump Administration. California needs to continue to push forward with bold policies that factor low income communities suffering from pollution and affordability the most. We need our members to prioritize these tax credits that have already created thousands of local jobs and helped our state reach important climate goals, such as our latest milestone of one million homes with solar. ”
If Congress fails to act, the U.S. will not be able to adequately reduce emissions as scientists recommend to avert the worst effects of climate change. Many of the existing clean energy tax incentives will begin to phase out in 2020. Members of the California Congressional delegation must advocate to add billions in investment to industries that have been seriously hurt by the Trump administration through tariffs and anti-clean energy regulatory policies. We need the following as a bridge to more comprehensive climate legislation that could be enacted in 2021 or beyond:
The Energy Storage Tax Incentive and Deployment Act of 2019 (H.R. 2096/ S. 1142) This bipartisan legislation will extend to batteries and electricity storage systems the same 30 percent ITC currently offered to PV solar. Energy storage helps integrate more renewable energy onto our electric grid and increases grid reliability and resiliency. Rep. Mike Doyle (PA-18) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (NM) are leading on these bills.
The Driving America Forward Act (H.R. 2256/ S. 1094) Transportation is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and cars and light-duty trucks are responsible for about 60 percent of those emissions. This bill will increase the number of electric vehicles that are eligible for the existing tax credit, thereby dramatically increasing the number of electric vehicles on the road, improving air quality and cutting carbon emissions. Rep. Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (MI) are leading these bills.
The Renewable Energy Extension Act (H.R. 3961/ S. 2289) Extending the Investment Tax Credit for solar, wind and other clean energy technologies would maximize greenhouse gas emissions reductions and allow for updates that would provide technology parity. The tax credit has helped to create hundreds of thousands of jobs and spurred billions of dollars in economic growth. Alternatively, the Committee could create a technology-neutral credit for renewable energy technologies based on their contribution to carbon emissions reduction. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (NV) are leading on this bill.
The Offshore WIND Act (H.R. 3473/ S. 1957) & Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act (H.R. 4887/S. 1988) By extending 30 percent investment tax credit for offshore wind facilities through 2025 or 2027, respectively, these bills will provide another tool in the climate fight by unlocking vast quantities of affordable, clean electricity. Rep. Jim Langevin (RI-02) and Sen. Ed Markey (MA), and Rep. Bill Pascrell (NJ-09) and Sen. Tom Carper (DE) are leading these bills.
The Commercial, Low Emissions And Net Energy Reduction Buildings Act (H.R.3051 and S. 2185); The Home Energy Savings Act (H.R. 4506/S. 2588); & The New Home Energy Efficiency Act (H.R. 4646/S. 2595) These bills would extend and modify several tax incentives for energy efficiency, which save residential consumers and businesses money, reduce harmful air pollution, and represent the most cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (OR) are leading on the commercial bill; Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and Sen. Maggie Hassan (NH) are leading on the residential bills.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.
