Clean energy bill would help existing merchant nuclear energy plants continue operations
Tags: Energy & the Environment
U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03), John Katko (R-NY-24), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Anthony Brown (D-MD-04), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD-02), Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), Mike Doyle (D-PA-18), and Bobby Rush (D-IL-01) have introduced the Zero-Emission Nuclear Power Production Credit Act of 2021, bipartisan legislation to aid America’s non-emitting electric generation plants. If enacted, the bill would provide a federal tax credit to America’s existing merchant nuclear plants so they can continue helping our nation meet its greenhouse gas emission goals and preserve family wage jobs.
“Our bipartisan legislation to combat climate change will allow existing nuclear plants to continue producing the clean, zero-emission energy that our nation needs while supporting thousands of jobs in New Jersey. The Biden Administration has made clear that our nation’s nuclear infrastructure is essential to meeting our climate goals,” said Rep. Pascrell, a cosponsor of the Green New Deal. “Legislation like this will benefit millions today and billions tomorrow, and I look forward to working with my colleagues toward its passage in the House.”
“Investing in zero-emission energy production is essential to boosting American energy independence while preserving and creating local jobs across the country. This bipartisan legislation will provide nuclear power plants with federal tax credits to promote energy efficiency and reduce fossil fuel emissions,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “Through the Zero-Emission Nuclear Power Production Credit Act of 2021, we can also assist communities across our nation in diversifying our energy supplies by providing financial incentives to promote the use of cleaner sources of energy.”
“Our nuclear fleet supports jobs in our community and produces clean energy to combat the climate crisis,” said Rep. Bustos. “Today’s bill will help our fleet remain strong into the future and continue to play a key role in our efforts to meet our climate goals. I’m pleased to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle today to introduce this bill that advances the goals of my Rural Green Partnership to utilize the enormous amount of potential rural America offers to address climate change.”
“On behalf of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the largest energy union in the United States, we fully support the Zero-Emission Nuclear Power Production Credit Act,” said IBEW International President Lonnie R. Stephenson. “This important bill will provide parity for nuclear generation, the most reliable source of carbon-free energy, and support the livelihood of over 15,000 IBEW members working in the nuclear industry today. In addition, we appreciate the inclusion of strong labor standards that will ensure the nuclear industry continues to provide family-supporting union jobs. Too many IBEW workers, their families, and their communities have suffered in recent years due to the premature retirement of nuclear facilities around the country. It is time the federal government fully recognize the importance of nuclear generation to grid reliability, climate goals, and rural economies and enact this legislation.”
“We applaud this important, bipartisan legislation that will help successfully transition to a more secure carbon-free energy infrastructure,” said William Sproule, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. “Using the already skilled and trained construction workers of the energy industry, Congressman Pascrell’s bill will help to achieve these goals and make sure that working people in New Jersey and throughout the country have good, union jobs producing the electricity for our nation.”
Organizations supporting a nuclear production tax credit include the following: American Nuclear Society, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Breakthrough Institute, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Centrus Energy Corp., Excel Services Corporation, Framatome, GE Hitachi, Generation Atomic, Good Energy Collective, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Mothers for Nuclear, North America’s Building Trade Unions, North American Young Generation in Nuclear, Nuclear Energy Institute, Nuclear Matters, Orano USA, Protect Nuclear Now, Sensible Energy Matters to America, Studsvik Scandpower, Inc., Third Way, United Brotherhood of Carpenters, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Western Services Corporation, Westinghouse Electric Company, Women in Nuclear, and X-energy.
Rep. Pascrell’s efforts to protect our environment and combat climate change stem from his mission to leave a better world for future generations. From working with federal officials to clean up Berry’s Creek, to sweeping federal efforts like the Green New Deal, Pascrell continues to work with his colleagues in every level of government to combat climate change head-on and preserve our cherished natural resources.
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