On July 1, the U.S. Senate approved a reconciliation budget bill, sending it back to the House of Representatives for final approval. This version of the bill removes a proposed tax on solar and wind and includes incentives for clean firm technologies like geothermal and advanced nuclear. However, it also quickly phases out clean energy tax credits that are crucial for lowering costs for families and creating family-sustaining careers. In response to the bill’s passage in the Senate, EEN President & CEO Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman released the following statement.

The Senate’s proposed legislation makes important strides toward restoring a solid footing for clean ‘baseload’ energy to take root in the U.S. over the next decade. However, by rapidly phasing out ready-to-deploy electricity sources like solar and wind, the proposal sorely misses the mark on meeting America’s immediate energy needs and rising home energy costs that are straining household budgets across the country.

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled a proposal to repeal two critical and life-saving standards on air pollution. The proposal seeks to roll back safeguards on mercury, heavy metals and other hazardous pollutants, and climate-warming carbon pollution from fossil fuel power plants throughout the country. This plan undermines years of progress our nation has made toward safer, cleaner air for our children to breathe and a more hopeful climate future for all. In response, EEN President & CEO Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman released the following statement.