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We have an energy bill with some climate flourishes, folks! Hopefully passed and signed into law soon. What's in the stimulus bill?
- Energy Policy Act
- Energy for the Environment Title
Text here: https://rules.house.gov/bill/116/hr-133-sa
Now, I'll break down key provisions in this THREAD...
- Energy Policy Act
- Energy for the Environment Title
Text here: https://rules.house.gov/bill/116/hr-133-sa
Now, I'll break down key provisions in this THREAD...
Big top lines:
- HFC phaseout 85% by 2035
- 35 billion on energy RD&D
- Energy tax extenders
- Reforms + extensions for DOE programs
- Electricity bill assistance for renters
- Permitting improvements for renewables on fed lands
- Efficiency, including fed buildings
MUCH MORE...
- HFC phaseout 85% by 2035
- 35 billion on energy RD&D
- Energy tax extenders
- Reforms + extensions for DOE programs
- Electricity bill assistance for renters
- Permitting improvements for renewables on fed lands
- Efficiency, including fed buildings
MUCH MORE...
The HFC phaseout was difficult to negotiate and is probably the biggest climate piece.
HFCs are potent GHGs. In the global the Kigali amendment, countries have agreed to phase them out. This US commitment will help the globe avert 0.5 °C of warming. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/17/climate/hfcs-montreal-protocol.html
HFCs are potent GHGs. In the global the Kigali amendment, countries have agreed to phase them out. This US commitment will help the globe avert 0.5 °C of warming. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/17/climate/hfcs-montreal-protocol.html
Energy tax credit extenders:
- ITC: 2 years (2022)
- PTC: 1 year (2021)
- Offshore wind ITC: 5 years (2025)
- EV tax credit: DOES NOT EXIST
Short extensions. And the lack of EV tax credit is very bad. But: overall glad to see some ITC/PTC extensions! https://www.eenews.net/stories/1063721189
- ITC: 2 years (2022)
- PTC: 1 year (2021)
- Offshore wind ITC: 5 years (2025)
- EV tax credit: DOES NOT EXIST
Short extensions. And the lack of EV tax credit is very bad. But: overall glad to see some ITC/PTC extensions! https://www.eenews.net/stories/1063721189
The bill includes $35.2 spending for energy:
- $4.1 bn: renewables
- $1.7 bn: reauthorization WAP + add renewables
- $2.6 bn: DOE sustainable transport
- $6.2 bn: CCUS
- $1.1 bn: energy storage
- $2.4 bn: smart grid
- $6.6 bn: advanced nuclear
- $4.7 bn: fusion
- $2.9 bn: ARPA-E
- $4.1 bn: renewables
- $1.7 bn: reauthorization WAP + add renewables
- $2.6 bn: DOE sustainable transport
- $6.2 bn: CCUS
- $1.1 bn: energy storage
- $2.4 bn: smart grid
- $6.6 bn: advanced nuclear
- $4.7 bn: fusion
- $2.9 bn: ARPA-E
Many people are struggling to pay their energy bills during the pandemic.
The broader package includes $25 bn for rental assistance, which can be used for electricity bills. Low income home owners can also use the existing LIHEAP funds.
More needed. https://www.utilitydive.com/news/customers-owe-billions-in-covid-debt-to-their-utilities-and-somebody-has-to/589525/
The broader package includes $25 bn for rental assistance, which can be used for electricity bills. Low income home owners can also use the existing LIHEAP funds.
More needed. https://www.utilitydive.com/news/customers-owe-billions-in-covid-debt-to-their-utilities-and-somebody-has-to/589525/
With @DebHaalandNM poised to lead DOI, we could see some important growth of renewables on public lands and offshore.
Bill improves the process for permitting solar, wind, and geothermal projects on federal lands. And extends offshore wind ITC 5 years. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2020/12/17/deb-haaland-interior-secretary-biden/
Bill improves the process for permitting solar, wind, and geothermal projects on federal lands. And extends offshore wind ITC 5 years. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2020/12/17/deb-haaland-interior-secretary-biden/
The federal government itself is an important driver of clean energy adoption and innovation.
One key change? The bill requires that if there's a cost effective efficiency upgrade for a federal building, it must be done.
Read more on that here. https://www.ase.org/blog/federal-buildings-use-far-more-energy-they-should-bipartisan-bill-would-help-cut-waste
One key change? The bill requires that if there's a cost effective efficiency upgrade for a federal building, it must be done.
Read more on that here. https://www.ase.org/blog/federal-buildings-use-far-more-energy-they-should-bipartisan-bill-would-help-cut-waste
In addition to the egregious lack of EV support, the bill also doesn't focus enough on environmental justice.
That's particularly unfortunate because there were a number of EJ bills in Congress this year. We'll have to hope for progress in 2021. https://www.ourdailyplanet.com/story/ej-bills-introduced-in-congress-now-set-the-stage-for-next-year/
That's particularly unfortunate because there were a number of EJ bills in Congress this year. We'll have to hope for progress in 2021. https://www.ourdailyplanet.com/story/ej-bills-introduced-in-congress-now-set-the-stage-for-next-year/
Overall, I am very happy these provisions passed. There do not add up to enough on climate. But they are certainly better than nothing!
Credit goes to: @lisamurkowski @Sen_JoeManchin @SenSchumer @SpeakerPelosi @ChuckGrassley @RonWyden @CoryBooker @SenWhitehouse + MANY OTHERS!
Credit goes to: @lisamurkowski @Sen_JoeManchin @SenSchumer @SpeakerPelosi @ChuckGrassley @RonWyden @CoryBooker @SenWhitehouse + MANY OTHERS!
Great to see some bipartisan energy + climate bills moving. This Energy Act package includes provisions from 69 Senators: 36 Dems and 33 Reps.
Next year, @lisamurkowski will no longer be Chairman of the Senate Energy committee. I'm glad she sealed the deal while she could! /FIN
Next year, @lisamurkowski will no longer be Chairman of the Senate Energy committee. I'm glad she sealed the deal while she could! /FIN
