Biden and Congress strike deal avoiding federal default, cuts to clean energy investments
WASHINGTON – Congress and the Biden administration struck a last-minute deal averting a federal debt default and cuts to historic clean energy investments passed last year. The deal—which does not include any changes to the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) historic climate and clean energy provisions—prevents a potential global economic panic that could have thrown stock markets into chaos and stalled the rapid growth in clean energy and jobs across America.
The following is a statement from Bob Keefe, E2 Executive Director:
“This time around, reason prevailed and we escaped what could’ve been economic calamity. But there’s no reason we should’ve gotten to this point in the first place.
“Hopefully going forward if this comes up more rational Republicans in Washington will stand up to the more radical members of their party who are willing to threaten game-changing clean energy investments just to advance a political agenda at the expense of the rest of us.
“With every assault on clean energy, we undercut American competitiveness in the global economy and the once-in-a-generation economic opportunities that clean energy projects are already bringing communities across both red and blue states.
“Congress should quickly approve this agreement for the President to sign it into law so we can clear up this recent uncertainty and allow the clean energy economy to get back on track building at the historic pace we’ve seen since the IRA passed.”
According to E2’s tracking, since the IRA was signed into law last August, there have been at least 170 clean energy project and expansion announcements across 35 states, representing $81.4 billion in investments and an expected 63,000 new jobs.
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E2 is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs, and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private equity capital. For more information, see http://www.e2.org or follow us on Twitter at @e2org.