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Senate Electrification Caucus Co-Chairs Break Down the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

Sen. Smith: “The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is the most significant action to fight the climate emergency, to lower costs for Americans and to put U.S. workers and manufacturers at the forefront of a clean energy future.”

Sen. Smith: “Transitioning to a clean energy economy isn’t just essential to reduce air pollution and combat climate change; it’s a huge economic opportunity for local communities in Minnesota and across the country.”

Sen. Klobuchar: “This legislation is a win-win – reducing energy costs for consumers, while strengthening access to clean, energy-efficient heating solutions. As we continue transitioning to a clean energy economy, increasing production of heat pumps will be critical to lowering emissions and helping families across our state get the affordable heating they need.”

“As President Biden works to take short-term steps to support Europe in the face of war and disruption, we urge the administration to continue to direct investments, funding, and private-sector collaborations toward the renewable energy and electrification solutions that will keep us safe, healthy, and supplied with affordable energy.”

Sen. Smith: “Due to the humanitarian, energy, and economic crises caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we urge you to use all the tools and authority at your disposal to provide relief to our residents and allies and take preemptive steps to limit future instability caused by climate change and conflict funded by fossil fuel profits. In addition to our ongoing efforts to pass a robust set of climate justice and clean energy investments through Congress, we must take bold action to invest in energy efficiency and cut fossil fuel demand through electrification wherever possible.”

Sen. Merkley: “The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that the window to secure a livable future is rapidly closing. Further expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in the United States and Europe is destined to set us back during a moment when we should be doing everything within our power to avert climate catastrophe.”

Sen. Whitehouse: “As U.S. Senators, we have a front row seat to what companies do and don’t do in Congress to address climate change. An increasing number of companies tout their climate and other environmental commitments to both investors and the general public. These public statements are at odds with their lack of engagement in Congress on climate and their membership in and financial support of a number of anti-climate trade associations and other dark money groups.”

Sen. Heinrich:“The only way to break free from that cycle of dependence is to stop using the machines that consume fossil fuels to heat our air and water, cook our food, dry our clothes, and take us from place to place. We must electrify. And quickly.”

Sen. Warren: " “We’ve seen this script before, and we cannot allow the fossil fuel industry to once again collect a massive windfall by taking advantage of an international crisis. I propose sending Big Oil’s big windfall back to the hardworking people who paid for it at the gas pump. Over the longer term, speeding up the transition to renewables will lower energy costs, insulate consumers from price spikes, and reduce Western nations’ dependence on foreign despots and greedy fossil fuel companies.”

Sen. Tina Smith: “Building out clean electricity and then electrifying everything we can is a powerful combination. It isn’t just good for the climate, it also saves people money. The planet and future generations depend on us acting now. We must work together and pass strong clean energy legislation now.”

Sen. Heinrich: “I view widespread electrification as a foundational piece of concrete action. In coordination with decarbonization of our entire power generation sector, Electrification of our homes, offices and vehicles will be central to meeting our carbon emissions targets quickly enough to prevent the worst impacts of our warming planet.”

Rep. Tonko: "It’s important to recognize that this opportunity for offshore wind is part of the clean energy cycle with no fuel costs. When we look at offshore wind, it’s an asset and a treasure [enabling us] to be able to meet national and state clean energy goals."

Rep. Castor: “Investing in clean energy will make America healthier and more resilient - and unleash incredible economic benefits for American families, such as reducing the costs of energy, lowering electric bills, reducing the cost of traveling, and creating millions of family-sustaining jobs…Households could save about $500 dollars every year just on energy costs by embracing renewables, electric vehicles, home weatherization and electric appliances.”

Sen. Heinrich: “The good news is that there are already electric alternatives for fossil-burning machines in our homes. Each of these electric substitutes can help reduce climate pollution and create savings on our energy bills.”

Sen. Markey: “The CHARGE Act lays the groundwork for an energy grid that can support an explosion of electric-powered vehicles and buildings, while also improving energy reliability, lowering costs for consumers, and spurring economic competition.”

“Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) floated various ways that Biden should force the manufacture of heat pumps to ease the strain in the energy markets caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Biden administration could place a significant procurement order through the Department of Defense, utilize the Loan Programs Office capacity at the Department of Energy, or invoke the Defense Production Act to “pump out heat pumps to electrify European homes,” he said at a Wednesday event hosted by Rewiring America, Evergreen Action and Ceres. He dubbed the push "electrify for peace."

"U.S. Sen. Tina Smith is among a group of congressional Democrats calling for action on proposed policies that would make it cheaper for Americans to electrify their homes."

Democrats included as part of more than $500 billion in climate-related spending in their $1.7 trillion reconciliation package a series of voluntary rebate programs that would help low- and middle-income consumers offset the cost of purchasing electric home appliances like stoves, water heaters and heat pumps

“[The Senators] call on the USPS to increase procurement of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which would not only be cheaper to own and operate than internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), but improve public health and reduce environmental damages that are a result of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.”

“The lawmakers said widespread electrification will have the benefits of lowering energy bills, improving air quality and public health, addressing the climate crisis, and creating jobs.”