Crunch Time for Congress on Climate and Energy

The U.S. political climate has changed a lot in 2021, especially when it comes to climate and energy issues on Capitol Hill. The Political Climate podcast has changed too. Rather than debate macro politics, we’re focused on analyzing concrete proposals, policy choices, and getting at the “how” of achieving our shared climate goals. Unlike in the past, there is no shortage of policy action!

On August 10, the U.S. Senate approved a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill — the largest spending for infrastructure projects in the country in over a decade — with bipartisan support. Senators also approved a budget measure along party lines that paved the way for Democrats’ $3.5 trillion spending package, which includes a suite of climate and social initiatives.

After a weeks-long stalemate between moderates and leadership in the House over the two large pieces of legislation, it’s now crunch time for Democrats to pass their climate and clean energy priorities. This episode offers an insider perspective on how policy negotiations are evolving, what the top priorities are for House and Senate leadership, as well as the Biden White House, and what we can expect in the next month as both the bipartisan infrastructure bill and Democrats’ massive spending package move forward (or not). 

Recommended resources:

• Vox: What’s in the new infrastructure bill — and why it’s a big deal
• Canary Media: Infrastructure bill contains less transmission funding than advertised
• Canary Media: We need gargantuan investment in EV charging stations. Where will the money come from?
• E&E: Uncertainty on reconciliation as House returns
• Canary Media: Climate policy crunch time: We need Congress to pass a clean energy standard and tax credits

Listen and subscribe to Political Climate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you get podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at @Poli_Climate.