EDITORIAL FEATURE
Infrastructure Investments Should Spur Clean Energy Industry Growth By Megan Byrn
It also includes $6.5 billion in loans to rural communities to fund the clean-energy, storage and transmission-line projects that are critical to ensure the clean-energy revolution does not leave anyone behind. Finally, it devotes $16 billion to remediat ing abandoned coal mines and oil wells, to turn some of them into clean- energy powerhouses like solar and wind farms. Finally, SEIA predicts that the
The debate over President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan continues in Congress as its details continue to emerge. The ambitious proposal is currently moving along in two separate bills. The first bill focuses on more traditional projects like roads, bridges and other physical infrastructure. But President Biden has decided to use the reconciliation process, which wouldn’t require Republican support, to focus on his other infrastructure projects, including his professed desire to combat climate change. As a result, a good portion of the second bill is expected to be devoted to developing, expanding and supporting the growing clean-energy industries through shrewd policy provisions — and significant investments in what the president refers to as “building back better.” Here are a few of the bill’s highlights that the solar industry should be watching closely: 100% Clean Energy Production by 2035 Think of this provision as the development (finally) of a national renewable portfolio standard (RPS). While achieving 100% clean energy production within the next 15 years will present challenges throughout the clean energy supply chain, that does not mean the goal is impossible. The national plan mirrors the goals already in place in multiple states. However, once the goal is set, the question becomes how to pay for it, and the infrastructure
“ The investments made to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035 will not just help the solar industry but will help create well- paying jobs for the future.
solar industry would have to grow its workforce from its current levels of 215,000 to more than 900,000 to help the United States
reach its clean-energy goals. The investments made to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035 will not just help the solar industry but will help create well-paying jobs for the future.
“ The bill would provide a $73 billion influx of money into streamlining
bill does address the question. If passed as currently constituted, the bill would provide a $73 billion influx of money into streamlining
and expanding the backbone of clean energy production.
and expanding the backbone of clean energy production.
4 RE : NEW • SUMMER 2021
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