President-Elect Trump Can Build on Private Sector Momentum by Expanding Investment in American Clean Energy Manufacturing

November 6, 2024 /3BL/ - President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance must build upon the private sector and bipartisan policy momentum and continue the critical work to drive investment in American workers and communities to ensure America leads the transition to a stronger, cleaner, more resilient, affordable, and abundant economy. Ceres strongly urges the incoming administration to reconsider its plans to roll back historic clean energy investments, defund or gut federal agencies, and pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement — all of which provide certainty to businesses and investors as they build and deploy advanced technologies of growing global demand that reduce costs and emissions. These actions would put American investors, businesses, workers, and U.S. economic competitiveness at greater risk.

CEO and President Mindy Lubber issued the following statement:

“Over the last few years, we saw historic progress in building the energy infrastructure of today and tomorrow with a remarkable surge in clean energy manufacturing investment, driven by a wave of new laws and delivered by private sector action. These laws have the widespread support of America’s business community, and they are gaining significant bipartisan support in Congress precisely because they are bringing back U.S. manufacturing and factories, building domestic supply chains, creating good jobs, and reducing energy costs in red, purple, and blue states. We strongly urge President-elect Trump, Vice President-elect Vance, and the new Congress to maintain this policy certainty and economic momentum to ensure continued industrial, energy, and national security.

“Coming out of this election, America stands at a crossroads in maintaining its world standing as a clean energy and economic leader. First, President-elect Trump must accept that Americans want to remain in the Paris Agreement and fulfill our goal of cutting emissions in half by 2030. Second, President-elect Trump needs to hear the urgent business call for government action to ensure the U.S. remains one of the best places in the world to build and deploy the innovative technologies that will grow the U.S. economy, create jobs and reduce energy costs in communities across the country.

“We will continue to call on policymakers at all levels of government to push for bipartisan policy action. On the federal level, this includes responsible permitting reform to get clean energy resources online and build a modern, reliable, affordable electric grid; a pollution tariff on imports that do not meet U.S. environmental standards; and an agreement on a Farm Bill that addresses agricultural risk in supply chains and uplifts America’s farmers as leaders in environmental stewardship and conservation. We strongly urge the new administration to preserve existing federal agencies keeping our air and water clean and policies driving breakthrough innovation and technologies that can power and strengthen our economy.

“Beyond federal action, state policymakers will have an important role in building a stronger, cleaner, affordable, and abundant economy. Governors and state legislatures have already made tremendous progress in attracting clean energy investment and enhancing resilience for the good of their economies and communities. We will continue to mobilize businesses to support further state action to advance solutions in electric power, transportation, buildings, and other crucial sectors.

“And as always, the American private sector action remains critical to keeping the U.S. and the world on track to limit temperature increases and avoid worsening unnatural disasters. There is no doubt that the largest U.S. investors and companies will continue embracing the opportunities of the current clean energy boom, setting net zero emissions goals, and adopting transition action plans. Businesses have also been some of the strongest advocates for urgently needed government action— and they will continue to meet with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to voice their support for it. Investors and companies also stand ready to continue fighting for the rights of investors and financial institutions to assess all material financial risks in decision-making and to defend their freedom to invest and operate responsibly.

“Ceres' unique work to support the private sector in scaling solutions that build a stronger, more resilient economy is more relevant and important than ever. Ceres is well positioned to work with investors, companies, and policymakers to build a clean energy future. We remain steadfast in building on the private investment momentum of the last few years to strengthen the U.S. economy and energy security for all Americans.”

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and sustainable world. United under a shared vision, our powerful networks of investors and companies are proving sustainability is the bottom line—changing markets and sectors from the inside out. For more information, visit ceres.org.

Media Contact: Helen Booth-Tobin, booth-tobin@ceres.org