TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly supports S. 2657, the “American Energy Innovation Act,” which would stimulate the development, demonstration, and deployment of a broad suite of next-generation energy technologies and promote American ingenuity while developing tools needed to combat climate change on a national and global level. The Chamber will consider including votes on this legislation in our annual “How They Voted” scorecard.
Following the House of Representatives’ passage of related legislation last week, a potentially historic opportunity exists to enact bipartisan legislation to restore U.S. leadership in clean energy. However, achievement of this goal requires the avoidance of contentious and extraneous issues that could undermine the Senate bill’s broad bipartisan support. Accordingly, we call on members of both parties to address any such issues that could impede the bill’s advancement and continue to focus on building on significant areas of consensus that clear a path for the passage of S. 2657.
The American Energy Innovation Act would provide the foundation for the most consequential energy legislation passed by Congress in 13 years. In addition to providing overall support for funding advanced energy technology development at the Department of Energy and implementing enhancements to the efficiency measures that help businesses and government do more with less, S. 2657 would also accelerate next-generation, American-made energy technologies. For example, the bill would advance nuclear, wind, solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric energy sources, carbon capture utilization and sequestration, and advanced battery and energy storage technologies, among others.
This legislation is overwhelmingly bipartisan, from the development through regular order of its individual components to the merging of these pieces into one comprehensive legislative package. Dozens of Senators have contributed to this bill, making the overall package a model of constructive compromise and legislative leadership. In addition, the Chamber is pleased that S. 2657 includes the recent bipartisan compromise on the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM Act). Adoption of this agreement to implement a nationwide phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons is an important Chamber priority that would deliver significant emissions reductions.
Providing American innovators with the support and framework to deploy advanced technologies at reasonable cost would serve to reduce domestic emissions and cultivate resources that promise to become preferred energy solutions around the globe. The passage and implementation of S. 2657 would both fuel American innovation and promote global climate action. The Chamber strongly urges you to support the American Energy Innovation Act. Thank you for your leadership and commitment to advancing climate and energy solutions through this bipartisan legislation.
Sincerely,
Suzanne P. Clark
President
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
