Early Thursday morning, the House of Representatives passed a reconciliation bill on party lines that guts nearly all federal tax credits for clean energy production and adoption, and slashes funding for key climate programs at the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy. This bill – worse than the initial proposal – would bring New York’s clean energy progress to a grinding halt. Families and businesses would face higher utility bills, a less dependable grid, and increased air pollution. We are especially disappointed that New York’s Republican representatives, who championed the clean energy tax credits, ultimately failed to protect them/ The Senate must reject this reckless bill and we urge our entire delegation to fight to restore these provisions.
Just as troubling, both chambers voted to rescind the California Clean Air Waiver – a dangerous attack on states’ rights and one that strips New York and more than a dozen other states of the ability to set stronger tailpipe emissions standards, which are essential to our clean transportation strategy.
These actions are a direct assault on our health, our economy, and our climate future. At a time when we should be accelerating the transition to clean energy, Congress must not slam on the brakes.