Alliance Celebrates Passage Of Infrastructure Investment And Jobs Act
WASHINGTON – RealEstateRama – The Alliance to Save Energy applauds votes in the House of Representatives sending the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to President Joe Biden’s desk and advancing the Build Back Better Act. The infrastructure bill, which passed the Senate in a bipartisan vote in August, represents one of the largest investments to date in the U.S. energy system, and it includes significant funding for cornerstone energy efficiency programs.
“While at times the Washington gridlock can feel insurmountable, today’s votes show that Congress still has the keys. This is a moment to celebrate: lawmakers saying ‘yes’ to a more efficient energy future, ‘yes’ to a more consumer-friendly energy system, and ‘yes’ to a robust clean energy workforce,” said Alliance President Paula Glover. “I want to thank members of Congress, including many members of the Alliance’s Honorary Board, for coming together to demonstrate U.S. leadership in energy, particularly as discussions continue in Glasgow on scaling up our global commitment to combatting climate change. These votes put talk to action.”
The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill includes significant funding for programs helping more households to access cost-saving energy efficiency upgrades, as well as needed investments for advancing the next generation of Active Efficiency technologies. View the Alliance’s full factsheet on efficiency provisions.
The House also advanced through a procedural vote the Build Back Better Act, which includes an additional $555 billion to fight climate change and is expected to come to a full floor vote soon. Programs and rebates for energy-efficient products and services are among the most powerful provisions included for cutting emissions, in addition to funding for retrofitting critical public facilities, facilitating the adoption of modern building codes, and accelerating the transition to electric vehicles. A factsheet of relevant provisions currently included in the bill is available here. Also in the bill are a number of energy efficiency tax incentives; however, moves in recent days would reduce investments in the Section 25C credit for existing homeowners.
“There’s no doubt passing the infrastructure bill deserves a ‘cheers’ today. But the Alliance will be heading back to work to make certain that as debate on the Build Back Better Act continues, the final version fully recognizes that efficiency is the fastest, most cost-effective method to decarbonize our economy. This includes reversing proposed cuts to the Section 25C energy efficiency tax credit that would make it more difficult for families to afford sustainable upgrades to their homes and to lower their energy burdens. The Alliance will be fighting to regain ground and looks forward to supporting a final bill that fully recognizes the role of energy efficiency in domestic energy and climate policy,” said Glover.
ABOUT THE ALLIANCE TO SAVE ENERGY
Founded in 1977, the Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit, bipartisan alliance of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders working to expand the economy while using less energy. Our mission is to promote energy productivity worldwide – including through energy efficiency – to achieve a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security, affordability, and reliability.
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