Swalwell Rallies 109 Members to Push Back on Trump’s Proposed Cuts to Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-15) led 109 of his House colleagues in opposing President Trump's proposal to cut America's investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy by two thirds.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) plays a key role in advancing America's "all of the above" energy strategy, leading a large network of researchers and other partners to deliver innovative technologies that will help make renewable electricity generation more cost-competitive with traditional energy sources. Its research, development, and deployment programs focus on renewable electricity generation; sustainable transportation; and energy-saving homes, buildings, and manufacturing.

President Trump has proposed cutting EERE's funding from $2.03 billion in Fiscal Year 2017 to $696 million in FY 2019 – a 66 percent reduction.

"Being narrow-minded and short-sighted about renewable energy and energy efficiency would deny America the thriving economy it deserves, and would leave the world more vulnerable to climate change's harmful effects," Swalwell said. "We must lead the way by investing in smarter policies, lest our bright future grow dimmer."

By rejecting this deep cut and maintaining at least the FY 2017 level funding for EERE, "Congress signals to our scientists and engineers at home and around the world that we are serious about rising to meet the growing demand for cheaper, more sustainable energy," Swalwell and his fellow lawmakers wrote last week to the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee. "This investment will help us continue to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy, enhance our competitiveness and create good American jobs well into the future."

Click here to read the full text of the letter.