Chair Castor Praises Clean Energy Tax Policies Outlined By Ways & Means

Nov 21, 2019
Press Release
GREEN Act Would Extend Important Energy Incentives, Create New Opportunities

WASHINGTON (November 21, 2019) - On Thursday, Chair Kathy Castor (D-FL) of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis commended her colleagues in the Ways and Means Committee for prioritizing clean energy tax policies, using the tax code to benefit American families and businesses, and working to ramp up clean energy across the United States.

"As we find innovative solutions to the climate crisis, we must emphasize smart tools like tax incentives that can help families and small businesses invest in clean energy," said Chair Castor. "Chair Mike Thompson and Chair Richard Neal are right to prioritize climate action at such an important moment. Such policies will reduce carbon pollution, improve our health, drive innovation and boost good-paying jobs – a win for America all the way around."

Chair Castor's statement comes after Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), chair of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, unveiled a draft of the Growing Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now (GREEN) Act, a bold legislative package that would extend current clean energy tax incentives and create new opportunities to boost the use of renewable energy sources.

Last month, Chair Castor and the rest of the Democratic members of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis sent a letter to Ways and Means Committee Chair Neal, urging him to prioritize clean energy tax policies in any end-of-year tax deal. In the letter, the members outlined key tax incentives that could drive progress in four key areas: zero emission vehicles; solar and onshore wind; offshore wind; and energy storage.

The GREEN Act would make progress on all four of these areas. Specifically, the bill would:

  • Promote the use of green energy technologies and incentivize the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through new and existing tax benefits,
  • Increase energy efficiency and green energy use in both residential and commercial buildings,
  • Support the use of zero-emission transportation and supporting infrastructure,
  • Invest in a green workforce through energy credits for manufacturers,
  • Advance environmental justice through tax credits for research and academic programs, and
  • Require the Treasury Department to analyze the feasibility of a price on greenhouse gas emissions, using the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.

The GREEN Act discussion draft is supported by the following organizations: Alliance to Save Energy, American Biogas Council, American Council on Renewable Energy, American Public Power Association, American Wind Energy Association, Baseload Power Association, Biomass Power Association, Citizens' Climate Lobby, Electric Drive Transportation Association, Energy Storage Association, Environmental Defense Fund, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association, League of Conservation Voters, National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association, National Resource Defense Council, National Wildlife Fund, Sierra Club, Solar Energy Industries Association, Union of Concerned Scientists, and U.S. Green Building Council.

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116th Congress