WASHINGTON (December 22, 2020) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) issued the following statement welcoming House and Senate passage of bipartisan energy innovation legislation and climate provisions as part of the FY 2021 spending bill.
“We welcome House and Senate passage of a bipartisan package of energy innovation legislation as well as new climate provisions as part of the FY 2021 spending bill. The overall package includes measures that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, spur R&D for lower-emitting technologies, and advance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. We commend leaders and lawmakers of both parties for acting on these important national priorities.
“The Energy Act of 2020 wisely covers a broad set of energy sources – including efficiency, renewables, nuclear, and key fossil technologies. For example, it calls for research into high-efficiency gas turbine technologies and direct air capture and it reaffirms the benefits of combined heat and power (CHP) and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). ACC supports reauthorization of the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant programs.
“We also endorse provisions in the 2021 spending bill that would phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The approach included in the package will markedly reduce a sizable source of greenhouse gas emissions while creating new American manufacturing jobs and expanding our nation’s share of the global market for air-conditioning, and refrigeration products.
“It’s very unfortunate that energy building codes provisions were excluded as part of the package. Residential and commercial buildings represent 70 percent of national electricity consumption, and consensus-based model energy building codes aid the adoption of efficiency technologies at the state level. ACC has long advocated for these voluntary provisions as part of the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness (ESIC) Act.
“Chemistry-based products and technologies support the fight against climate change through renewable energy solutions, electric and high-efficiency vehicles, energy-saving building materials, and a variety of other applications. Our companies are helping to lower the emissions intensity of industrial processes through the use of CHP, CCUS, catalysis, and hydrogen.
“Developing additional ways to produce process heat and power industrial equipment is an important part of our nation’s climate strategy. Advancing R&D for industrial energy efficiency and technology will help cut emissions while supporting growth and employment in U.S. manufacturing.”
