Schakowsky introduces the PEER Act

Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Whip and member of the House Budget Committee, introduced the Prioritizing Energy-Efficient Renewables (PEER) Act. This bill would permanently extend the Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit (PTC) and end special tax breaks for polluting fossil fuels.

“Climate change is real, it is alarming, and it demands bold action now. We must fight the climate crisis on all fronts, which is why today I’m introducing the PEER Act, a bill that demands our tax code prioritize clean renewable energy over dirty fossil fuels.

“My bill would make tax credits for wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and marine power permanent. At the same time, it would put an end to tax breaks that benefit the polluting oil and gas industries. Investing in green energy allows our communities to breathe cleaner air and American families to breathe a sigh of relief. A growing renewable energy sector will mean thousands of new jobs and billions of dollars in growth for our economy.

“House Republicans are rushing to pass a tax scam that reduces investment in renewables and keeps special tax breaks for oil and gas companies. My colleagues and I are pushing for a tax code that protects middle-class families, our planet, and future generations of Americans.”

The PEER Act has been cosponsored by Reps. Cartwright, Grijalva, Gutierrez, Huffman, Kennedy, Khanna, Lee, Loebsack, Lofgren, McCollum, McNerney Nadler, Norton, Pocan, Polis, Speier, Takano, Velázquez, and Quigley. It has been endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club, Environment America, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.