CEN Applauds Congressional Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework

Thanks to conservative leadership, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act remains focused on key infrastructure investments and improvements in all states

CEN CONTACT: Tyler Duvelius – tduvelius@conservativeenergynetwork.org

November 6, 2021 – LANSING, Mich. – The Conservative Energy Network (CEN), a coalition of 21 state-based conservative clean energy organizations, applauds the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684). The bipartisan bill, which earned the support of 19 Republican members in the Senate and 13 Republican members in the House, promotes a cleaner energy future by cutting red tape and providing money for clean technology research and development—particularly for hydrogen and carbon capture.

Unlike the larger reconciliation package currently under consideration by the House of Representatives, H.R. 3684 is a bill that was passed through regular order in both chambers and will make significant, smart investments in stronger, cleaner and more secure infrastructure. The provisions outlined in this bill are paid-for and will allow the United States to maintain and strengthen its position as a global energy power while becoming a clean technology leader.

“America’s energy infrastructure is crumbling and at risk,” said Mark Pischea, CEN president and CEO. “The measured, targeted investments found in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help ensure America doesn’t find itself vulnerable to foreign adversaries. CEN applauds the conservative leadership that ensured this bipartisan package sticks to the basic definition of infrastructure—buildings, roads and power supplies needed for the operation of society. Despite best attempts from House progressives to kill this bill in hopes of advancing their agenda of Green New Deal mandates—an agenda that has recently been proven unpopular by voters—H.R. 3684 is a smart investment for our nation and will lead to an American-made, cleaner energy future.”

As passed, the bipartisan infrastructure framework will create jobs and spur local economic investment while forging a cleaner, more efficient future without further bloating the federal government. CEN polling has found that 86% of voters support increasing the development of America’s clean energy infrastructure.

“Both opinion polls and electoral polls have shown that when it comes to energy and infrastructure policy, voters like the lofty ideals of the left, but only if they are grounded by conservative policy principles and ideas from the right,” concluded Pischea. “The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act represents that approach.”

CEN looks forward to working with state and local conservative leaders on the implementation of this bill in the days, weeks, and months to come. For additional information on CEN’s infrastructure policy platform, please visit www.conservativeenergynetwork.org/infrastructure.