Merkley Fights Back Against Trump’s Attacks on Renewable Energy Projects Nationwide

Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley-a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee-today unveiled new legislation to push back against the Trump Administration's attacks on renewable energy.

The Restoring Renewable Energy Parity Act repeals Trump Administration executive orders targeting renewable energy projects across the United States and prohibits a substantially similar executive order from being issued in the future. President Trump has repeatedly made his disdain for renewable energy clear through his speeches and executive actions, and federal agencies are taking Trump's remarks as directive to undermine clean energy development nationwide. Despite the fact that energy prices are rising rapidly for families, the Trump Administration continues these attacks on cheap renewables in favor of more expensive fossil fuel projects.

"No matter how hard Trump and his handpicked Fossil Fuel Cabinet try to sabotage renewables, affordable clean energy is essential to lowering energy costs for working families," said Merkley. "As the Trump Administration stymies renewable energy projects nationwide, I'm fighting to roll back Trump's reckless energy policies. My common-sense bill restores parity for wind and solar to take on the energy affordability crisis crushing families and to deliver clean energy to communities across America."

A newly published report found that since Trump has returned to the White House, household utility bills have soared by 16 percent. The same report also revealed that the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans' attacks on renewables have jeopardized nearly 144,000 clean energy jobs and 382 clean energy projects, enough to power 17 million homes.

Merkley's Restoring Renewable Energy Parity Act is endorsed by the Solar Energy Industries Association, League of Conservation Voters (LCV), Earthjustice, and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

"This administration's attempts to stymie America's solar and storage industry will only raise Americans' energy bills, make it harder for us to meet surging demands for energy, and slow the build out of reliable power. We thank Senator Merkley for introducing the Restoring Renewable Energy Parity Act and for his work to lower energy costs for American businesses and families," said Sean Gallagher, Senior Vice President of Policy at the Solar Energy Industries Association.

"The Trump administration has stopped at nothing to try to ban clean, affordable energy, and their schemes have sent electricity prices up 16%. We appreciate Sen. Merkley's efforts to reverse the unfair and costly actions of Trump and his fossil fuel cronies and protect access to clean energy," said LCV Vice President of Federal Policy Matthew Davis. "Across our country, people agree that we need more clean, affordable electricity, not less."

Full text of the Restoring Renewable Energy Parity Act can be found by clicking here.

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