House Ag Dems Urge Protection of IRA Funds for Rural Clean Energy
TL/DR –
Maine’s First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and all Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee have written to Chair Glenn “G.T.” Thompson and Ranking Member David Scott, urging them to use the funds from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) solely for aiding rural communities, businesses, and utilities in their clean energy transition. The IRA, signed into law by President Biden in August 2022, represents the largest investment in climate and clean energy solutions in American history, providing more than $10 billion to support USDA’s clean energy transition programs. Pingree and the Democrats have previously sent similar letters, advocating for the nearly $20 billion of conservation funding passed in the IRA to be used for its intended purpose in the upcoming Farm Bill.
Maine’s Congresswoman Chellie Pingree Advocates for Clean Energy Transition Funding
Maine’s First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Democratic members of the House Agriculture Committee have written to Chair Glenn “G.T.” Thompson and Ranking Member David Scott. They seek assurance that the billions of dollars in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will solely aid rural communities, businesses, and utilities in transitioning to clean energy. They emphasize the importance of reliable, affordable energy to farm and rural business costs.
The Democrats describe the IRA as the largest investment in rural electrification since 1936. The act, spearheaded by House Democrats and signed into law by President Biden last August, supports USDA’s clean energy transition programs with over $10 billion. They urge full funding for programs like Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE), Empowering Rural America (New ERA), and Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) at the USDA. The full letter is available here.
In October, a similar plea was made by Pingree and House Democrats to use the almost $20 billion conservation funding from the IRA for its intended purpose in the upcoming Farm Bill. The letter sought to protect the resources allocated in the IRA.
Long-time organic farmer and policy leader on sustainable food and farming, Pingree is a vocal advocate for agriculture and food policy reform. Through her leadership, the 2018 Farm Bill saw increased funding for organic research and the creation of federal programs for produce prescription and local agriculture markets. She also penned the Agriculture Resilience Act, aiming for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. agriculture by 2040.
Beyond the Agriculture Committee, Pingree is the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, which she chaired in the 117th Congress.
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