Bush, Crow Applaud White House Use of Defense Production Act for Renewable Energy, Urge House Passage of Companion Energy Security Bill

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) and Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) released the below statement following President Biden's announcement that the administration would invoke the Defense Production Act to invest in renewable energy to reduce energy prices, create jobs, and take on the climate crisis. In April 2022, the two lawmakers, along with Senator Bernie Sanders, introduced H.R. 7439, alongside 33 of their colleagues, to reduce climate impacts and energy prices related to the crisis in Ukraine. The Energy Security and Independence Act would provide $100 billion to support the President's initiative to invest in renewable energy using executive authority under the Defense Production Act.

"We applaud President Biden for heeding our calls, and those of climate, racial justice, and movement organizations, to invoke the Defense Production Act to invest in renewable energy. Gas prices are at an all time high and families across this country are feeling the economic strain of Russia's violent war in Ukraine. Heating, cooling, and transportation costs have become unaffordable for our most marginalized communities, especially Black and brown communities--with no clear end in sight.

Invoking the DPA to quickly ramp up production of renewable energy is essential in our effort to reduce the price of energy and end our country's reliance on fossil fuels. This executive action will not only take on the climate crisis, but create jobs and help to safeguard the American people against corporate greed and a volatile fossil fuel market. Energy security must be attainable for all people in America -- not just a wealthy minority. This action, coupled with our legislation, will help put that reality in reach for millions of people.

The Biden-Harris administration's announcement last week was the first step to actualizing the fossil-fuel free future we have called for in our Energy Security and Independence Act, which provides robust funding to reduce emissions and creates good union jobs. The harm of inaction in dealing with the climate crisis is growing by the day. We need bold leadership to address this unprecedented crisis, and the President's action this week is welcome. We look forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration to prioritize necessary interventions, to save lives, and protect our planet for current and future generations. We urge our colleagues in the House to support the President's action by cosponsoring the Energy Security and Independence Act, and call for swift passage in both the House and Senate of this important bicameral legislation."

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