A group of 180 Democratic lawmakers penned a letter to House leadership asking for congressional action to help the “decimated” clean energy sector, which has lost hundreds of thousands of jobs amid the coronavirus pandemic.
A vast majority of the chamber’s Democratic delegation wrote to Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiBiden, lawmakers mourn Harry Reid Narrow path forward for Build Back Better Biden's policies are not very merry MORE (D-Calif.) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
Steny Hamilton HoyerHoyer calls for update on review of regulations for carrying firearms in House office buildings Clyburn to Democrats itching for leadership role: 'If you want my seat, come get it' Pressley offering measure condemning Boebert MORE (D-Md.) asking specifically for tax credits to be received as direct payments and a delay to a phase-down of renewable energy tax incentives.
“The current crisis has decimated the clean energy industry,” they wrote, citing analysis from last month that found nearly 600,000 clean energy jobs had been lost since the pandemic began. “Clean energy jobs are being lost at a rate faster than the national average, revealing COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on this vulnerable industry.”
“Investments in clean energy pay back dividends because of the breadth and geography that are impacted – either job losses will devastate the communities we represent, or economic relief for this sector will help them weather this crisis,” continued the letter, which was led by Reps. Reps. Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Earl Blumenauer
Earl BlumenauerLobbying world Congress to take up marijuana reform this spring Your must-read holiday book list from members of Congress MORE (D-Ore.), and Matt Cartwright
Matthew (Matt) Alton CartwrightNew York House Democrat tests positive for COVID-19 Dearborn office of Rep. Debbie Dingell vandalized With Build Back Better, Dems aim to correct messaging missteps MORE (D-Pa.).
Hoyer told The Hill in a statement that he "strongly" supports "efforts to provide the clean energy sector with the resources it needs to keep workers on the job and I believe that investing in clean energy should be a key part of our economic recovery."
"I will continue to work with my colleagues to put our country on the path to net-zero emissions and ensure this industry and its workers — like so many others — has the relief it needs as we weather this public health crisis,” he added.
The letter follows the House passage last month of a coronavirus stimulus package that did not include specific assistance for the sector, something that was criticized by environmentalists.
“The $3T bill just released by the House contains many important priorities for the country, and though it includes a lengthy tax section, it unfortunately leaves out COVID-19 related assistance that could save clean energy jobs,” Sierra Club Legislative Director Melinda Pierce said in a statement at the time.
Meanwhile, it’s not just Democrats who have pushed for assistance for the clean energy sector.
Last month, Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski
Lisa Ann MurkowskiTrump warns Alaska GOP governor he'll revoke endorsement if he backs Murkowski Conservative women's group backing Murkowski challenger Does anyone like Congress anymore? MORE (Alaska), Susan Collins
Susan Margaret CollinsWithout people, there is no preparedness Harry, Meghan push family leave with annual holiday card Collins open to negotiating overhaul of child tax credit set to expire MORE (Maine) and Thom Tillis
Thomas (Thom) Roland TillisThe 10 races that will decide the Senate majority North Carolina Democrat Jeff Jackson drops out of Senate race The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Uber - Senate debt limit drama ends; Trump legal troubles rise MORE (N.C.) wrote to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin
Steven MnuchinSuspect in Khashoggi murder arrested The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden to tackle omicron risks with new travel rules Mnuchin and McConnell discuss debt limit during brief meeting MORE asking for tax-related assistance for renewable energy projects.
Shortly thereafter, the Treasury Department and IRS gave renewables more time to take advantage of certain tax credits.
However, some members of the GOP have been critical of assisting the sector.
Sen. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzGOP steps up flirtation with Manchin Cruz bullish on his 2024 chances: 'The runner-up is almost always the next nominee' Does anyone like Congress anymore? MORE (R-Texas) in March, amid negotiations over an earlier stimulus package, accused Democrats of being “willing to extort a crisis to try to advance their political agenda” and argued that wind and solar tax credits do not have anything to do with the outbreak.
