Oceantic Statement: Senate Passes Shortsighted Reconciliation, Raising Energy Prices and Ceding Global Competitiveness

The Senate has passed the latest reconciliation text, which maintained clean energy tax provisions of the Investment Reduction Act (IRA), while introducing shortsighted energy policy that fails to acknowledge the importance of domestic clean energy production and coordinated, long-term planning, effectively ceding AI innovation and global clean energy leadership to China. In response, Oceantic Network has released the following statement:  

“The Senate’s passed reconciliation legislation still does not adequately prioritize domestic energy production or protect Americans from increased prices and economic slowdown,” said Liz Burdock, president and CEO of Oceantic Network.  

“Limiting clean energy and manufacturing tax credits only compounds our national energy crisis, slowing development and ceding innovation leadership to China. In an era where a diverse, all-of-the-above energy strategy is widely acknowledged as the best path to address surging power demand and AI innovation, this legislation doesn’t do enough support American businesses bringing new, domestic power online today. 

“The Senate promised a course-correction but instead accepted a bill that still hampers needed energy generation, depresses job creation, and raises electricity prices for American consumers while only marginally improving the bill by removing some of the most problematic proposals. We urge the House against any reversions and to instead embrace expansive language that prioritizes American jobs, our nation’s economy, and our energy security, and accelerate domestic energy growth before it’s too late. Oceantic Network, its members—representing welders, engineers, mariners, and factory workers from 40 states—and thousands of hard-working Americans stand ready to power our country.”  

Oceantic Network | https://oceantic.org/