District 19 Leads in Clean Energy – Santa Cruz Sentinel
TL/DR –
Congressional District 19 has been leading in federal investments for clean energy, with the help of Rep. Jimmy Panetta, according to a study by the Center for American Progress. The Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in August 2022, provided the largest investment in clean energy and climate action ever, with $719 million secured to support local operations’ expansion in the past year. The Act has already directed more than $200 billion towards the development and deployment of clean energy technologies in the U.S., created over 211,000 jobs, and has led to approximately $242.81 billion in private investments, mostly in clean energy technology.
Congressional District 19 Leads in Federal Investments for Clean Energy
A report by the Center for American Progress indicates that Congressional District 19 is top in securing federal investments for clean energy, thanks to efforts by Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley.
The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in August 2022, has provided the largest investment in clean energy and climate action in history. With Panetta’s help, the district has so far secured $719 million for local operation expansion in the past year.
An enthusiastic Panetta explained how his participation in the Ways and Means Committee led to the creation of federal tax incentives aimed at encouraging investment in clean energy. He specifically pointed to the expansion of standalone clean energy storage systems across the US, including in Congressional District 19.
Local Impact of Inflation Reduction Act on Clean Energy Storage
According to Panetta, the Act’s tax incentives have brought significant improvements in battery storage facilities such as the world’s largest lithium battery energy storage system in Moss Landing. He said such facilities are crucial for harnessing the growing renewable energy resources.
The report ranked California’s Congressional District 19, comprising parts of South San Jose, Santa Cruz, Monterey counties, and Northern San Luis Obispo County, as a top area in the US for clean energy storage technology.
Over $200 billion from the Act, which Panetta co-authored, has been invested in the development of clean energy technologies, with more on the way.
Panetta emphasized the community’s commitment to environmental protection and leadership in standalone battery systems investments.
Advancements in Battery Energy Storage
The Moss Landing power plant site houses two lithium-ion battery energy storage systems, run by Vistra Corp Energy Company and Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), respectively, since late 2020.
After Vistra’s recent expansion, its Moss Landing facility has achieved a total capacity of 750 MW/3,000 MWh, making it the largest of its kind. The battery energy storage system at PG&E’s 182.5-MW/730-MWh Elkhorn Battery facility was completed in April 2022.
Panetta’s office highlighted that these clean energy technology investments are lowering energy costs, reducing pollution, and opening up new job opportunities. The Inflation Reduction Act has already created over 211,000 jobs, with an estimated 9 million new jobs expected by 2030. This legislation has spurred a whopping $242.81 billion in private investments, predominantly in building clean energy technology.
Rep. Panetta’s Initiatives through the Inflation Reduction Act
Rep. Panetta drafted several bills under the Act, providing tax credits for electric bus purchases, microgrid controller expansion, and linear generator development. He also introduced bipartisan legislation to extend the Act’s investment tax credit for fuel cells, linear generators, and microgrid controllers for another eight years.
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