Governors' Wind Energy Coalition

The CEPP is a modified version of a clean energy standard that works under the rules of a budget reconciliation bill, which requires that policy must be related to taxes, spending or debt. The program, as detailed in the committee text, would run from 2023 through 2030. Electricity suppliers that meet the 4% clean energy growth target would receive grants equal to $150 for each MWh above 1.5% of the previous year’s clean energy target, which must be used for customer programs like direct bill assistance, clean electricity investment and worker retention. The penalty for missing the goal would be $40 per MWh, with the option to defer grants or payments of up to two consecutive years to allow for the intermittency of renewable production.

The bill defines clean electricity as a source that has a carbon intensity no more than 0.1 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per MWh.

The program is the centerpiece of Democrats’ plan to achieve 80% clean electricity by 2030, in line with a clean energy standard planbacked by the Biden Administration, which has also called for 100% clean power by 2035. It has been praised as an effective carrot-and-stick approach to push utilities, electricity retailers and municipal power providers to purchase more renewable energy. According to a report released last week by the Analysis Group and commissioned by Evergreen Action and the Natural Resources Defense Council, a $150 billion CEPP would create 7.7 million new jobs and add $907 billion to the U.S. economy by 2031. The report, which was written before Democrats released the full details of the CEPP, predicts the program would boost the clean energy industry while also creating $154 billion in increased tax revenue.

However, some experts have raised concerns that the structure of the program could allow for manipulation that limits clean energy deployment. On Twitter, Tufts University associate professor of economics Steve Cicala warned that the year-over-year thresholds could allow for “cycling,” where utilities do nothing and purchase clean certificates in subsequent years to offset fines.

Democrats have pledged to use the reconciliation bill to advance aggressive climate change legislation. Among the other provisions in the bill are:

• $9 billion for rebates for whole-house energy efficiency retrofits, with $500 million in training grants for contractors. Another $9 billion would go to rebates for electrification projects for homeowners and multifamily buildings.
• $3.2 billion for resiliency, efficiency and grid integration improvements at public and non-profit buildings.
• $9 billion total for grid improvements, including $8 billion to construct new long-distance transmission lines and upgrading interties between existing interconnections.
• $17.5 billion for DOE efforts to procure clean electricity, low-carbon materials and upgrades for federal buildings. Another $5 billion would go to the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant program and $2.5 billion would support expansion of solar power in low-income communities
• $3 billion for electric vehicle supply equipment and public chargers, with $1 billion dedicated to serving low-income areas. The bill would also appropriate $4 billion to DOE’s plug-in electric drive program, $6 billion in grants for near-term transportation sector electrification and $5 billion for new grants and rebates for heavy-duty electric vehicles.

“Investments proposed by House Energy & Commerce will help transform markets & avoid the worst impacts of climate change, while benefiting historically marginalized communities most. This will create millions of good jobs, save lives, & increase prosperity,” said RMI CEO Jules Kortenhorst in a statement.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee — which would pass the Senate’s CEPP and energy language — and the Environment and Public Works Committee — which handles clean vehicles and energy-efficient buildings — have not released their draft text. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, has said he plans to release draft text by the end of this week, despite calls from Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., to slow down the process.