Press Release
October 26, 2021
Contact: Alec Gerlach, GerlachA@c2es.org, 703-516-0621
WASHINGTON— Leading businesses across the country are stepping up at a critical moment in our nation’s fight against climate change to urge Congress to support ambitious action on climate as part of the Build Back Better agenda. Congress is now considering two bills with critical implications for the nation’s direction on climate and energy: a budget reconciliation package that includes targeted investments in our nation’s low-carbon future, supporting clean energy technologies, and our long-term economic competitiveness; and a bipartisan infrastructure package that would invest in the resilience and prosperity of our communities, along with a range of other climate priorities.
In this pivotal moment, companies are stepping up to voice their support for climate investments and priorities.
National Grid
“If we want to dramatically slow climate change, we will need policies that allow us to deliver fair, clean energy solutions. These include investments in offshore wind, electrified transportation and a decarbonized heating sector. It’s time for all of us – businesses, governments, NGOs, lawmakers and citizens – to seize the opportunity and pass the infrastructure and spending packages currently being debated in Congress. This is necessary to help fix the climate crisis together.” – Badar Khan, US President, National Grid
PG&E Corporation
“PG&E has long advocated for national and international action to thwart climate change and better serve our planet—including our unwavering support for California’s ambitious goals to reach carbon neutrality by 2045. As too many of our communities have experienced, climate change effects are real and do not recognize city, county, tribal or state boundaries. We are pleased to see Congress and the Biden Administration prioritize this urgent issue for the health, safety and prosperity of all Americans. As Congress contemplates important climate measures in the infrastructure and reconciliation packages, we urge policymakers to be bold, forward looking and pursue measures that recognize and build upon actions underway in states like California.” – Patti Poppe, CEO, PG&E Corporation
Siemens Energy
“Siemens Energy is committed to helping lead the energy transition through investments in technologies that will make a difference for our environment while also improving the reliability of our grid and critical infrastructure in the years to come. However, we need strong partners to get this done. That includes policymakers in Washington. We need to know that our nation’s leaders are also committed to doing what it takes to create an environment where clean energy technologies can thrive. The time is now to start making tomorrow different today and move legislation forward that enables the energy transition and accelerates and incentivizes investment in the energy technology needed to achieve net-zero.” – Rich Voorberg, President North America, Siemens Energy
LanzaTech
“The science is clear and the devastating impacts of climate change are all around us. Inclusion of climate provisions in the budget reconciliation package, in addition to the bipartisan infrastructure legislation, would send a clear signal that the US is ready to lead in pursuing the clean energy technologies and jobs of the future. The time to act is now and LanzaTech is ready to deliver.”– Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, LanzaTech
Microsoft
“Microsoft has a long history of action on climate and sustainability issues, and one of the most ambitious corporate plans to reduce and remove its own emissions. We need strong policy action to ensure a continued vibrant national economy and we support climate and clean energy-related investments as part of the infrastructure and reconciliation bills.” – Lucas Joppa, Chief Environmental Officer, Microsoft
ABB
“The investments being considered by the U.S. Congress would be a tremendous boost for the creation of green jobs, and would spur innovation into solutions that are needed to combat climate change. From utilities and industry to buildings and transportation, ABB and our predecessor companies have been electrifying America for over 100 years, and our 20,000 American workers are accelerating the drive toward a more sustainable future. As we approach COP26 in Glasgow, ABB stands ready to do our part in collaboration with all stakeholders in the U.S.” – Theodor Swedjemark, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, ABB
Exelon Corporation
“As a longtime advocate for policies to address climate change, Exelon urges lawmakers to take bold action to curb carbon emissions from the power sector, while advancing clean-energy jobs and supporting workers and communities as they transition away from fossil fuels. The Build Back Better plan offers a clean-energy framework for achieving these goals in a way that strengthens our economy and keeps energy affordable and reliable.” – David Brown, Senior Vice President of Federal Government Affairs and Public Policy, Exelon
BHP
“Electrification is the future, and at BHP we’re committed to meet the need for that growing demand by supplying more materials, like copper and nickel, for low- and zero-carbon energy than ever before. We need support from Washington, and the climate provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the reconciliation proposal supporting investments in zero-carbon electricity are necessary to create a modernized electric grid.” – Leslie Arnold, Head of Washington Office, International Relations & Public Policy, BHP
The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) is supporting business voices from all sectors of the economy who are calling for the bold climate action necessary to create jobs and long-term economic opportunities in the clean energy future.
“We are at a decisive inflection point in U.S. climate action, and corporate leadership is especially crucial right now,” said Nathaniel Keohane, C2ES President. “The path to a thriving low-carbon economy is wide open before us, and the actions we take – or fail to take – in this moment will determine whether American businesses and workers are positioned to compete and win in the global clean energy race, or fall off the pace. And as nations prepare to gather for COP26 in Glasgow next month, what Congress and the Administration achieve in the coming weeks will show whether America is ready to lead the world on climate.”
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About C2ES: The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to forge practical solutions to climate change. Our mission is to advance strong policy and action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean energy, and strengthen resilience to climate impacts. Learn more at www.c2es.org.