368 Business Leaders Call for Action on the Infrastructure Package

Bipartisan Deal Seen as an Important First Step

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN) delivered a letter this week to Senate leadership and the “Gang of 22” urging support for a bipartisan infrastructure package that includes the Energy Infrastructure Act. Signed by 368 clean energy business leaders and individuals, the letter calls on Congress to advance this legislation and other energy policies. Spearheaded by the CEBN and with support from its parent organization, the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), the letter garnered support from cleantech CEOs, supply chain providers, entrepreneurs, and partners from across the clean energy economy.

The letter states, “Supporting the clean energy industry would create both immediate AND long-term benefits by generating well-paid manufacturing and construction jobs in every part of the country while creating a stronger, healthier, and more resilient future for our nation.”

CEBN President Lynn Abramson added, “As the small business voice for the clean energy economy, the Clean Energy Business Network applauds this bipartisan effort. Small firms employ approximately 70 percent of workers in the clean energy sectors. Both as energy consumers and providers, small businesses will benefit from this legislation as a first step to addressing energy infrastructure needs, maintaining industrial leadership, and protecting homes and businesses from more extreme weather.”

BCSE President Lisa Jacobson commented, “We know that clean energy and energy efficiency are cornerstones of a competitive economy, and the measures included in the bipartisan infrastructure package lay an essential foundation. The Business Council for Sustainable Energy calls on Congress to secure the future and enact transformative policy this year. Federal energy policy must recognize the value of clean energy and energy efficiency to the competitiveness of our economy and workforce, and our ability to mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

Please also see the BCSE’s July 8 letter to Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) urging Congress to enact the Energy Infrastructure Act for more details.

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The Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN) is the small business voice for the clean energy economy, working to enhance opportunities for clean energy providers through policy support, market and technology education, and business development assistance. For more information, please visit: www.cebn.org.

The Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) is a coalition of companies and trade associations from the energy efficiency, natural gas and renewable energy sectors, and also includes investor-owned utilities, public power, independent power producers, project developers, equipment manufacturers, and environmental and energy market service providers. Established in 1992, the Council advocates for policies that expand the use of commercially-available clean energy technologies, products and services.

For more information on the Council, please visit www.bcse.org. For the latest industry data, download the Sustainable Energy in America Factbook.