Twenty-four lawmakers signed on as supporters of the first-ever Electrification Caucus just before the end of 2021. The Caucus is only a little over a month old and was created to advance policies to accelerate widespread electrification, which includes lowering energy bills, improving air quality and public health, addressing the climate crisis, and creating jobs.
“We are building a strong coalition of leaders who are dedicated to lowering costs for American families and taking action to combat the climate crisis,” Sen. Martin Heinrich,D-N.M. stated. “Electrifying our homes, commercial buildings, and vehicles is one of the most practical actions we can take to insulate American families from volatile fossil fuel prices, create jobs in our local economies, and improve the air we breathe in our homes and workplaces.”
The Caucus is led by Heinrich, Tina Smith, D-Minn. and U.S. Reps. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., and Kathy Castor, D-Fla.
The bicameral Electrification Caucus is committed to advancing widespread electrification by addressing:
Consumer rebates, consumer-facing tax credits, and financing mechanisms
Workforce training
Justice and equity issues related to electrification
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
Building codes
Grid improvements and expanding transmission
Upstream incentives to spur U.S. manufacturing
Transition of electric sector to clean energy
Incentives to encourage electrification of industrial processes and facilities
The caucus’ current membership includes U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley, D- Ore, Angus King, I-Maine, Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Ed Markey, D-Mass., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R. I., and U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore.-01, Nanette Barragán, D-Calif.-09, Jerry McNerney, D-Calif.-09, Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y.-09, Debbie Dingell, D-Mich.-12, Jared Huffman, D-Calif.-02, Scott Peters, D-Calif.-52, Sean Casten, D-Ill.-06, A. Donald McEachin, D-Va.-04, Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore-03, Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.-07, Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y.-12, Sharice Davids, D-Kan.-03, Veronica Escobar, D-Texas-16, Doris Matsui, D-Calif.-06, and Deborah Ross, D-N.C.-02.
Staff Reports
