Democrats call for green energy relief in next stimulus package

Nearly 60 Democrats are calling on leaders to include help for the renewable energy industry in the next stimulus package. 

“As Congress works to help the American economy recover, we must ensure robust investments are made to spur growth in renewable energy, energy storage, energy efficiency, clean vehicles, clean and efficient infrastructure, clean fuels, and workforce development,” lawmakers wrote in a letter spearheaded by Rep. Paul TonkoPaul David TonkoHouse coronavirus stimulus bill to include effort to limit political influence over science House coronavirus bill aims to prevent utility shutoffs OVERNIGHT ENERGY: More than 70 lawmakers join suit challenging Trump power plant rollbacks | Ranchers sue Trump administration, arguing water rollback is federal overreach |Democrats press Trump administration over plan to reopen national parks MORE (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Martin HeinrichMartin Trevor HeinrichOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump rule limits states from blocking pipeline projects | EPA finalizes rule to regulate cancer-linked chemical | Democrats want Congress to help plug ‘orphan’ oil and gas wells Democrats want Congress to help plug ‘orphan’ oil and gas wells The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga says supporting small business single most important thing we should do now; Teva’s Brendan O’Grady says U.S. should stockpile strategic reserve in drugs like Strategic Oil Reserve MORE (D-N.M.).

“These investments should both spur national growth and include funding opportunities for community-level adoption. Smart investments in these areas can help America decarbonize, put people back to work, and help our national, state, and local economies recover,” they wrote.

The wind and solar industries, like many others, have been hit hard by the economic fallout caused by the coronavirus, losing nearly 600,000 jobs.

Those job losses come amid a growing cry from sections of the Democratic party to focus future stimulus bills on efforts that could help fight climate change.

Some Democrats have similarly asked for leaders to establish a modern day Civilian Conservation Corps to fund conservation jobs in rural areas.