Frank Pallone: “I will be speaking in opposition to this bloc of amendments. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have argued…”

“I will be speaking in opposition to this bloc of amendments. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have argued that this legislation picks winners and losers, and that amendments such as these might help level the playing field. But I don't think that is the case. The Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act authorizes investments in a broad range of programs to unleash American energy innovation and reform outdated policies that govern how we produce, distribute, and consume energy. Rather than picking winners and losers, this bill takes a portfolio approach to supporting the transition to a clean energy economy--a transition that is already underway, but not at the pace needed to avoid the worst and most costly consequences of climate change. For years, rapidly declining costs for solar, wind, storage, and other technologies have made them cost-competitive with and, in many cases, more cost-effective than conventional technologies. The Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act doubles down on these market trends, providing the tools, investments, and policy reforms needed for the United States to lead the world in transitioning to a cleaner future. At the same time, the legislation invests in research, development, and deployment of technologies to reduce emissions from traditional sources of pollution.…”