Pascrell Clean Energy Bill Included in Landmark GREEN Act

Statement

Today, milestone clean energy legislation authored by U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), New Jersey's only member of the exclusive House Ways and Means Committee, was included in the GREEN ACT, a package of bills to combat climate change by facilitating more renewable energy options. Today's announcement comes on the heels of an announcement by Governor Phil Murphy and former Vice President Al Gore that New Jersey would significantly increase its reliance on offshore wind power and clean energy sources. With only one offshore wind project producing electricity in the U.S. and several in development, Rep. Pascrell's bipartisan legislation would extend critical tax credits for those projects and others, and help continue the vital growth of the offshore wind industry in the United States.

"My legislation will help us continue our unwavering commitment to combatting climate change, spurring economic growth, and achieving a clean energy future," said Rep. Pascrell, a co-sponsor of the landmark Green New Deal. "Extending these critical tax credits for the wind energy industry will allow the industry to continue to grow while making the energy it produces more affordable for consumers. As we continue the fight for a clean energy future on the federal level, I want to commend our governor, Phil Murphy, for his efforts to bolster the wind energy industry in New Jersey. We have a long way to go but all levels of our government are committed to this cause and will never cease fighting to see it to fruition."

"The development of the offshore wind industry is critical to New Jersey and other states transitioning to 100% clean energy," said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy when Rep. Pascrell first introduced H.R. 4887 last month with Rep. Peter King (R-NY). "With a potential of up to $70 billion in revenues in the offshore wind supply chain and tens of thousands of new jobs, it is vital to ensure that these projects have the resources to move forward. Through Congressman Pascrell's leadership, the growth of offshore wind in New Jersey will expand our economy, help us reach our clean energy goals, and create quality jobs for New Jerseyans."

Rep. Pascrell has introduced a version of this legislation in every Congress since 2009. Companion legislation, S. 1988, has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Susan Collins (R-ME).

Rep. Pascrell's efforts to protect our environment and combat climate change stem from his mission to leave a better world for future generations. From working with federal officials to clean up Berry's Creek, to sweeping federal efforts like the Green New Deal, Pascrell continues to work with his colleagues in every level of government to combat climate change head-on and preserve our cherished natural resources. Additionally, in March 2019, Rep. Pascrell led a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross calling on him to initiate an investigation into the threat of carbon pollution pursuant to his authority under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

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