Solar + storage industry reacts with enthusiasm to Joe Biden’s presidential victory

The renewable energy industry expressed its enthusiasm when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris officially won the 2020 presidential election on Saturday, November 7. One of Biden’s core campaign promises was addressing climate change and a COVID-stricken economy by investing in green jobs and accelerating the renewable energy transition. The president-elect’s transition website features four key focus areas, including COVID-19, economic recovery, racial equity and climate change.

Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) issued the following statement after President-elect Joe Biden’s victory:

“President-elect Biden’s plan to combat climate change enables our industry to create hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs across the country. We look forward to working with his administration and Congress on policies that reduce carbon emissions including tax policies that pave the way for greater adoption of solar energy and energy storage.

“We appreciate that the president-elect’s plan to advance clean energy incorporates environmental justice. And we share his belief that the United States must be ambitious on an unprecedented scale to meet the climate challenge.

“I also want to congratulate Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on the historic nature of her election and all who won election to Congress. Solar consistently has a 90% approval rating and the majority of Americans on a bipartisan basis support taking action on climate change. Solar power creates jobs in red districts and blue districts alike and improves the environment. This year we met frequently with lawmakers on trade, tax and energy policies and I believe we have a highly constructive relationship with congressional leaders across party lines.

“In the coming weeks, we will outline our 100-day plan with the new administration and with members of Congress. The plan includes executive branch policies and legislative proposals to lay the foundation for a strong clean energy economy. The 100-day plan is organized around three strategic principles: clean energy and climate policy; infrastructure and workforce development; and ensuring markets are competitive and open to clean energy.

“We will seek progress with the new administration and all members of Congress on solar policies that achieve our environmental and economic objectives and that lift every community in ways that create a better future for all Americans.”

Kelly Speakes-Backman, CEO of the U.S. Energy Storage Association (ESA) issued the following response to the election:

“By electing Joe Biden as president of the United States of America, Americans have sent the signal to accelerate the path forward toward a clean energy economy. We expect to see strong support from the new administration focused on decarbonization of the electric and transportation sectors, which will further drive the deployment of energy storage. We look forward to working with the Biden administration and congressional members to continue our bipartisan efforts to advance our vision of 100 GW by 2030, creating a more resilient, efficient, sustainable and affordable electricity grid.”

The industry will be watching as Biden begins vetting members for his cabinet, including the all-important Department of Energy.

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020/11/solar-storage-industry-reacts-to-biden-harris-win/