WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the House Energy & Commerce Committee released the Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s (CLEAN) Future Act, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) celebrated the inclusion of a number of her policies to build and deploy greater electric vehicles (EV) and EV charging infrastructure, reach 100% net zero carbon emissions by 2050, invest in clean energy development, and strengthen dam and hydropower safety. Dingell has championed clean energy development and climate change legislation since her election to Congress, and has been a leader in electric vehicle research and development.
“We have no greater responsibility than passing on to the next generation a cleaner, healthier world to than the one we inherited,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “With the CLEAN Future Act, we can rise to meet this moment by confronting climate change head-on with the urgency it demands. For years, I have crafted legislation that would invest in our communities and our workers, while charting a path toward a rapid transition to a net-zero carbon future. The inclusion of those policies in this comprehensive and visionary bill demonstrates that this Democratic Congress will work with the Biden-Harris Administration to finally recognize the reality that the climate crisis is here and it cannot be ignored.
“Taken together, the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator and the 100% Clean Economy Act will strengthen our nation’s economy and protect our environment by capitalizing on the untapped potential of clean energy financing and establishing a bold timeframe to make this important transition. Though the moral argument for investments in clean energy is strong enough, the economic opportunity should inspire us as global competitors outpace our growth.
“But we will not reach carbon neutrality and a clean energy future without a robust, domestic electric vehicle industry. My USA Electrify Forward Act will create an electric vehicle infrastructure and accelerate the research, development, production, and distribution of electric vehicles domestically and globally. By investing in the retooling of existing auto manufacturing plants, it will protect jobs in Michigan and around the country and bring a new fleet of electric vehicles to our roads, while also updating building codes, electrifying all forms of transportation, and deploying EV charging stations.”
The CLEAN Future Act includes the following legislation introduced by Rep. Dingell:
· USA Electrify Forward Act
o The USA Electrify Forward Act is a comprehensive bill that accelerates U.S. development, production, manufacturing, and distribution of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. The bill makes critical investments in areas that will boost consumer confidence, make charging stations more accessible, and lower costs for manufactures and consumers. Specifically, it would establish a domestic manufacturing retooling grants, update building codes, help electrify all forms of transportation, and deploy EV charging stations, as well as improve and expand the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program.
· 100% Clean Economy Act
o The 100% Clean Economy Act sets a nationwide goal of achieving a 100 percent clean energy economy by 2050, defined as net-zero climate pollution across all sectors of the U.S. economy.
· Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator
o This legislation would establish an independent non-profit accelerator fund capitalized with $100 billion of federal funds spread over a six-year period to bolster and expand a robust clean energy workforce and invest in infrastructure projects. It would provide financing to eligible regional, state and local green banks, make investments directly into projects that reduce carbon emissions, support workers and communities negatively impacted by the climate transition, and provide technical assistance for the start up of new green banks around the United States. It also would require that 40 percent of all investments be directed into disadvantaged communities facing climate impacts.
· National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act
o The National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act would enhance dam and hydropower safety operation requirements nationwide and aims to modernize existing infrastructure through the development of new best practices and improved communications between FERC and states. This legislation was written in response to the aftermath of the Edenville dam and Stanford dam failures in Michigan this year and would also require a FERC to provide a briefing and report to Congress on the tragic incident.
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