ICYMI: SECRETARY GRANHOLM, CLEAN ENERGY INDUSTRY LEADERS UNDERSCORE HOW CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY IS HERE AND READY TO DELIVER FOR WORKING PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES ALIKE

Clean Energy Business Leaders Discuss How President Biden’s Clean Energy Plan Will Put this Already Booming Industry into Hyperdrive

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm held a roundtable discussion with clean energy leaders from across the nation to discuss how they are ready to put President Biden’s climate plan to work, which will boost the American economy as a whole, cut costs for families, and create millions of good paying clean energy jobs. Quickly deploying this technology to communities across the nation is the best way to protect our national security, advance real energy independence, and stop the worst of the climate crisis. These business leaders have seen firsthand what clean energy investments can do for their companies, communities, and employees, and know that additional investments will drive prosperity and opportunity.

Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm opened the event, highlighting the urgency with which Congress must act to save people money at the pump, revitalize the power grid, and secure true energy independence through clean energy. She addressed the group, saying “this is an example of what the clean energy future looks like. It is all kinds of businesses, all kinds of jobs, for all kinds of people, in all pockets of America […] This is an amazing moment for the U.S., for the economy, for people’s pocketbooks.” Granholm noted that we are on “war-time footing,” emphasizing that rapidly accelerating clean energy is an essential and immediate priority for national security.

Below are some highlights from the event. You can view a recording of the event here.

John Podesta, Climate Power Advisory Board member and founder of the Center for American Progress, emphasized that transitioning off of fossil fuels is critical to national security. He also called out the oil and gas industry’s relentless profiteering, urging the industry to use its power to reduce the cost burden on working Americans.

APEX Clean Energy CEO Mark Goodwin discussed how his time in the Navy opened his eyes to the importance of energy security and how that experience drives his work in the clean energy sector.

BlocPower Founder Donnel Baird knows that clean energy is not just a necessity in the fight against the climate crisis, it’s also an opportunity to lift up communities by providing good paying jobs for at-risk communities. Both job creation and the climate crisis are driving his work.

CEO of FERVO Energy Tim Latimer, leader in geothermal technology, knows that the geothermal industry, and clean energy industry as a whole, has the potential to be a massive employer of former oil and gas workers, putting the skills they used working with fossil fuels to work to electrify America. Latimer said:

Arrival Head of Federal Affairs and Policy Clarence Tong knows that electrifying America must include our nation’s industrial sector. Arrival’s mission is to reduce emissions and pollution by electrifying commercial and passenger vehicles, while creating thousands of good paying, local jobs.

ABB Vice President of External Affairs Asaf Nagler understands that the $7.5 billion investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will make impactful expansions in electric vehicles and charging for these vehicles.

ESS Inc. CEO Eric Dresselhuys helps fill in the gap in storage after generating power from clean energy sources. With the help of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, more manufacturing on long duration batteries will help with production and expand consumption of clean energy – making it more accessible throughout the country.

LanzaJet CEO Jimmy Samartzis understands that the aviation sector is playing a role in greenhouse emissions, which is why LanzaJet has committed to lower emissions while also using the same infrastructure available to airline companies right now.

Navajo Power Senior Counsel Shaun Deschene knows that Tribal Lands are a significant contributor to the country’s energy portfolio. Navajo Power has done essential work to ensure the good-paying jobs created by clean energy investments go to people in Tribal communities who are often providing the land and on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

Qcells Director of Strategy and Public Affairs NA Scott Moskowitz knows that the public overwhelmingly supports moving away from fossil fuels and investing in clean energy resources like solar power. Doing so will benefit not just our environment, but our economy, energy security, job market, and public health.

CubicPV CEO Frank van Mierlo knows that solar power is a critical part of the country’s transition to a clean energy economy. That’s why CubicPV has taken innovative steps to make solar energy as efficient and cost-effective as possible. Said innovation, he said, will be able to go even with investments from the Solar Energy Manufacturing Act.