Our response to the current crisis should not fuel the next. In fact, what we need to do is build back better: cleaner, healthier, and more resilient. But while some Congressional Republicans have tried to prop up the fossil fuel industry, the clean energy economy might be left to wither on the vine.
Jeanne — There’s a decision to make about what type of energy future we want.
A booming clean energy economy with good-paying jobs and a climate-resilient energy grid.
Or a future that props up the dirty oil, gas, and coal industries and continues to sacrifice the health of poor communities and communities of color and worsens the climate crisis.
In the midst of the pandemic, some congressional leaders have been making the wrong choice. Over the past few weeks, fossil fuel cronies in Congress have been attempting to bail out corporate polluters — who were already facing a decade of financial troubles — while the once booming clean energy economy has seen huge job losses.
Before the crisis, clean energy had been the one of our fastest growing industries, employing almost 3.4 million people by the end of 2019. Wind technician and solar installer were the fastest growing jobs in the country. But in March alone, the clean energy industry lost over 106,000 jobs due to the ongoing pandemic, wiping out all of 2019 job gains. That number could grow to 500,000 in the coming months if no action is taken.1
But it’s not too late to turn this around. In the coming weeks, Congress will consider new recovery bills to respond to the ongoing economic fallout of the pandemic. If enough of us speak up and demand that our clean energy champions in Congress fight harder, we can win.
We can overwhelm the voices of the fossil fuel billionaires and demand Congress protect clean energy jobs right now. Are you with us?
An update to renewable energy tax credits, including solar, on and offshore wind, storage, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency given the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis;
The creation of a National Climate Bank to fund shovel-ready infrastructure projects for solar storage, electric vehicles, and other clean technologies needed to transition to a clean energy economy;
Increased funding for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP);
And so many more job-producing energy programs!
We know that investments in clean energy are the right policy for this moment. Why? Because we’ve been here before. The investments in clean energy in the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act were, dollar for dollar, some of most important we’ve made when it comes to putting people to work and saving money on energy bills.
As COVID-19 exposes so many weaknesses in the extractive, fossil fuel economy, it has never been more important to make investments in the clean energy alternatives to oil, gas, and coal.
This website uses cookies to provide and improve its services. By continuing to use this website, you consent to our use of cookies. If you do not consent, please view our Cookie Policy for more information.Dismiss
