Today, Representatives John Curtis (R-UT) and Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) led a bipartisan resolution marking today, September 21 through September 25, as “National Clean Energy Week.” National Clean Energy Week (NCEW) is an annual awareness campaign to recognize the value of clean energy, which includes good-paying jobs, economic growth, energy independence, consumer choice, lower energy prices, and a cleaner environment, with a goal of advancing bipartisan support of our nation’s clean energy sector. They are joined by 70 other bipartisan members of the House of Representatives. 

“Environmental stewardship doesn’t mean making economic sacrifices—clean energy solutions and jobs are the future of the United States with clean energy powering more homes and businesses than ever before,” said Curtis. “The environment is, and should be, a bipartisan issue; I’m proud to lead this resolution and show that my congressional colleagues are working to leave the earth better than we found it.”

“I am honored to join my colleagues in introducing this important bipartisan resolution. Our country, and the world, are currently at a sink or swim moment. It is vital that we transition off carbon intensive polluting energy sources toward clean energy alternatives as soon as possible. This will take support from industry and policymakers alike to encourage innovation and a just transition to more renewable, zero-emission, clean energy. This will not only help our environment and climate, but our public health and economy as well,” said Lowenthal.

This resolution recognizes the United States’ global leadership in clean energy solutions, and encourages investments in clean and low-emission technologies. It also emphasizes that clean energy is necessary for reducing harmful pollutants and spurring economic growth.  Click HERE to read the text of the resolution.

Other cosponsors include: Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Tom Reed (R-NY), Dan Kildee (D-KI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Bill Keating (D-MA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Juan Vargas (D-VA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), TJ Cox (D-CA), Daniel W. Lipinski (D-IL), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Mark Amodei (R-NV), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Paul Cook (R-CA), William Timmons (R-SC), Bobby L. Rush (D-IL), Van Taylor (R-TX), Peter Welch (D-VT), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), Francis Rooney (R-FL), Ben McAdams (D-UT), Josh Harder (D-CA), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Ron Kind (D-WI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Mark Takano (D-CA), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Donna Shalala (D-FL), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Tom Rice (R-SC), Michael Simpson (R-ID), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Michael Burgess (R-TX), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Deb. Haaland (D-NM), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), David McKinley (R-WV), Scott Tipton (R-CO), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Mike Doyle (D-PA), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), David Schweikert (R-AZ),  Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Tom Souzzi (D-NY), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Lee Zeldin (R-NY), Brain Mast (R-FL), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Bryan Steil (R-WI), Dianna DeGette (D-CO), Don Bacon (R-NE), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TX), Ed Case (D-HI), and Garret Graves (R-LA).

Statements of Support

Utah Governor Gary Herbert issued a proclaiming declaring this week as National Clean Energy Week in Utah: “Whereas, we encourage individuals and organizations in Utah to support commonsense solutions that address America’s economic and energy needs and also encourage municipalities and individuals to advance Utah’s goals of providing cleaner, more affordable energy through innovation, strategic infrastructure and technology investments; and Whereas, we must cultivate the power of Utah’s entrepreneurs and small businesses and ensure government collaboration to assure Utah’s and the U.S.’s continued energy leadership in the global marketplace and assure low-cost, reliable energy here at home; Now, therefore, I, Gary R. Herbert, Governor of the great State of Utah, do herby proclaim September 21-25, 2020, as National Clean Energy Week in Utah.” (Full proclamation PDF available here)

NCEW Chair and Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) Executive Director Heather Reams: “With coast-to-coast support building for National Clean Energy Week, it's no wonder members of Congress are working across the aisle to find real solutions to protect the environment while growing our economy. Reducing emissions and growing clean energy jobs for Americans is an area where legislators across all levels of government and political backgrounds can find common ground. National Clean Energy Week is grateful to see 49 U.S. Representatives, Republican and Democratic, collaborating on ways to advance clean energy. National Clean Energy Week’s organizers applaud Congressmen John Curtis and Alan Lowenthal for introducing this resolution.

Full text of the resolution is below: (Click here for PDF)

Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 21 through September 25, 2020, as ‘‘National Clean Energy Week’’. 

Whereas across the United States, clean and readily abundant forms of energy are powering more homes and businesses than ever before; 

Whereas clean energy generation is readily available from zero- and low-emissions sources; 

Whereas the clean energy sector is a growing part of the economy and has been a key driver of economic growth in the United States in recent years; 

Whereas technological innovation can further reduce costs and increase deployment of clean energy sources; 

Whereas the ‘‘2020 U.S. Energy and Employment Report’’ found that— 

(1) at the end of 2019, the energy sector in the United States employed 6,800,000 individuals; and

(2) in 2019, the energy sector in the United States generated more than 120,000 new jobs; 

Whereas the scaling of clean energy is essential to reducing harmful pollution;

Whereas clean energy jobs are inherently local, contribute to the growth of local economies, and cannot be outsourced due to the on-site nature of construction, installation, and maintenance; and 

Whereas innovative clean energy solutions and clean energy jobs are part of the energy future of the United States: 

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) supports the designation of ‘‘National Clean 3 Energy Week’’; 

(2) encourages individuals and organizations across the United States to support commonsense solutions that address the economic, environmental, and energy needs of the United States in the 21st century; 

(3) encourages the Federal Government, States, municipalities, and individuals to invest in clean, low-emitting energy technologies; 

(4) recognizes the role of entrepreneurs and small businesses in ensuring the energy leadership of the United States in the global marketplace and supporting low-cost, clean, and reliable energy in the United States. 

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