What’s Ahead for U.S. Energy and Climate Policy with Adrian Deveny
Jan 13, 2025
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Adrian Deveny, former Director of Energy and Environmental Policy for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, plays a key role in shaping Biden's climate policies, including the Inflation Reduction Act. He discusses the impact of a Republican-led government on clean energy initiatives and the looming regulatory challenges. Adrian emphasizes the unfinished business in U.S. emissions targets and explores bipartisan support for geothermal and nuclear projects. He stresses the urgency of more than doubling policy efforts to meet ambitious climate goals, despite the political landscape.
The Republican majority in Washington, D.C. poses significant challenges for maintaining the momentum of climate policies like the Inflation Reduction Act.
The Inflation Reduction Act has already catalyzed over $270 billion in clean energy investments, showing the economic potential of climate initiatives even in conservative regions.
Despite potential setbacks, bipartisan cooperation on clean energy projects offers opportunities for legislative progress and job creation amidst political divisions.
Deep dives
Future of Climate Policy Under Republican Leadership
The election results indicate a significant shift in Washington, D.C., moving towards a Republican majority, which poses potential challenges for climate policy. Adrian Devaney emphasizes that having a Republican president and control of both Congressional chambers could hinder the momentum gained from recent climate initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This could lead to possible rollbacks of existing regulations and diminish support for progressive clean energy legislation, making it vital for climate advocates to strategize on preserving recent policy achievements. The shift highlights the need for continued advocacy and collaboration to defend and build upon the progress made in combatting climate change.
Maintaining Momentum for Clean Energy Initiatives
Adrian shares insights on the importance of the Inflation Reduction Act and its implications for clean energy investments across the country, particularly in Republican-dominated districts. The IRA has catalyzed over $270 billion in clean energy investments, showcasing how economic benefits from climate policies can resonate with constituents. As many communities stand to gain jobs and economic development from these initiatives, there still exists some bipartisan interest in sustaining these policies despite the political shift. Engaging local businesses and representatives to share success stories will be pivotal in reinforcing the value of these provisions to their constituencies.
Challenges and Opportunities for Regulatory Processes
The transition of power to a Republican administration could complicate the regulatory landscape of key departments like the EPA and DOE. While there’s a possibility of rolling back some of the Biden administration's climate regulations, any changes must conform to existing laws enacted by Congress. This regulatory framework could limit the extent to which new proposals can be implemented, causing a long-term reduction in efficiency and impact. Understanding how these federal agencies interpret and enforce climate policies will be crucial for advancing clean energy goals and incentivizing further investments.
The Role of Bipartisanship in Climate Solutions
Despite the potential for setbacks, there is room for bipartisan cooperation on certain legislative agendas, particularly around projects related to clean energy. The ongoing discussions around permitting reform and demonstrating resilience in local energy infrastructure present opportunities for compromise that can benefit both parties. Adrian indicates that strategically linking these initiatives to bipartisan objectives like job creation and economic stability could pave the way for some legislative wins. Keeping the dialogue open between parties will be essential for securing future investments and innovation in energy technology.
Looking Ahead: The Ongoing Climate Agenda
Even with the Republican majority, the urgency of addressing climate change remains paramount, requiring ongoing advocacy and strategic policymaking. Adrian posits that the Biden administration's ambitious climate goals necessitate an aggressive push to not only maintain current momentum but also revitalize efforts aimed at achieving emissions reduction targets. This perspective advocates for a continual assessment of legislative priorities, focusing on sectors needing significant investment and incentives for decarbonization. The path forward will demand resilience and innovative thinking from climate advocates to navigate the complexities of a politically divided landscape.
Adrian Deveny, former Director of Energy and Environmental Policy for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, was a key architect of the Biden-era climate policy agenda, including the landmark Inflation Reduction Act. In this conversation, we explore Adrian's perspective on what to expect from Washington, D.C., in the years ahead, as the federal government transitions to Republican control of the executive branch and both chambers of Congress.
We discuss the likely fate of the climate and clean energy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act over the next couple of years and whether there are viable pathways for new clean energy policy in the near term. Given the ambitious policies rolled out in recent years, Adrian also shares insights on the "unfinished business" he sees as critical. Spoiler alert: he believes we need to more than double our policy efforts to meet U.S. emissions targets.
In this episode, we cover:
[3:36] Adrian’s background and journey in the Senate
[8:26] Republican trifecta’s impact on climate policy
[11:47] Regulatory challenges, including Supreme Court rulings
[17:48] Challenges in EPA funding and appropriations
[19:53] Defending clean energy tax credits under the IRA
[24:08] IRA’s impact on manufacturing and the EV supply chain
[31:48] Bipartisan opportunities in geothermal, nuclear, and defense projects
[45:28] Debates on permitting reform for energy projects
[52:00] Future clean energy growth and market forces
[55:12] Adrian’s focus on advancing federal climate policy
