ASBN Voices Support for the Bush-Crow-Sanders Energy Security and Independence Act to Bolster Energy Independence and Investment in Renewables

Media Release

Washington, DC – The American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) and the business organizations it represents announced support of the Energy Security and Independence Act (ESIA) introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Representatives Cori Bush (D-MO-01) and Jason Crow (D-CO-6). The ESIA is introduced following President Biden’s Section 303 Memorandum invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950 to produce minerals used in electric vehicle batteries and promote clean energy development. ESIA will shift the U.S. towards greater energy security and further reduce reliance on foreign sources. 

“With increasing pressure on energy supplies, now more than ever we need to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy. The Energy Security and Independence Act would provide new investment for renewable energy sources and increased energy efficiency that will strengthen our economy, create jobs, and increase U.S. competitiveness globally. We applaud the members of Congress for their commitment to crafting and advancing this legislation to further address the climate crisis and our national energy independence, while also building our economy,“ said David Levine, co-founder and President of ASBN. 

According to Senator Sander’s office, the ESIA will achieve energy security and dependence through the: 

  • Investment of $100 billion in reinvigorating the domestic clean energy industrial base using the Defense Production Act 
  • Creation of a Domestic Renewable Energy Industrial Base Task Force to coordinate an all-of-government approach that engages environmental justice communities, manufacturers, scientists, engineers, planners, and labor unions to plan and implement a transition to 100 percent renewable energy 
  • Grant of $10 billion in loans and grants to bolster the domestic renewable energy system component manufacturing supply chain with strong corporate governance standards and benefits for taxpayers 
  • Grant of $30 billion to weatherize 6.4 million homes over the next 10 years to save working families nearly $2 billion each year on their utility bills 
  • Investment of $10 billion to procure and install millions of heat pumps, significantly reducing the consumption of imported fossil fuels 
  • Creation of good, union jobs by requiring high-road labor standards for all funded projects 
  • Fulfillment of EJ40 commitments by investing at least 40 percent of funds in environmental justice communities 

“The increase of oil and gas prices because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine renewed the necessity for the U.S. to significantly decrease its dependence on fossil fuels which accounts for, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, almost 80 percent of energy consumption and 60 percent of electricity generation. Beyond resolving the associated national security implications of relying on foreign energy imports, the ESIA will position America to reclaim the U.S. solar industry and other clean energy manufacturing and production assets. I will be working with ASBN’s Climate and Energy working group, to craft and deploy a comprehensive government affairs strategy that will accelerate America’s capacity to strengthen its clean energy industrial base,” said Maritza T. Adonis, EVP, Policy, Advocacy, and Government Affairs of the American Sustainable Business Network. 

Quotes from ASBN members and partner organizations:  

“The recent report by the UN International Panel on Climate Change was clear that the world needs to transition from fossil to renewable energy in the next few years to avoid irreversible harm to our planet’s ecosystems and inhabitants,” said Martin Wolf, Director of Sustainability and Authenticity at Seventh Generation. “The Bush-Crow-Sanders Energy Security and Independence Act (ESIA) is a critical and necessary step to accelerate this transition, mitigate harms from the continued use of fossil fuels, create jobs, improve energy efficiency, and bring clean energy manufacturing and production to the United States.”  

 “The Energy Security and Independence Act will help strengthen the middle class by creating family supporting jobs in clean energy manufacturing while also reducing burdensome energy costs,” said John Imes, Co-founder and CEO of Wisconsin Environmental Initiative. “We can move beyond our dependence on fossil fuels to reduce the power and influence of global oil markets and authoritarian regimes, address climate change and create a more resilient and sustainable economy that works for all.” 

“Subsidizing the fossil fuel industry with $300-500 Billion per year is the height of insanity,” said Elliot Hoffman, co-founder and CEO at REV+ALL. “Investing TRILLIONS (not just billions) in the clean renewable energy economy and future for the wellbeing of all life and the Earth is the most sane and wonderful action we can take for life.” 

“Congress needs to not only look at bill costs, but benefits, as we do with business investments,” said David Jaber Founder at Climate Positive Consulting. “If a $150 billion investment generates $300 or $500 billion in energy savings, avoided military costs and better community health outcomes, it’s a good investment.” 

While the U.S. top three exports are energy commodities, manufacturing capacity is limited and declining. “The ESIA is good for our planet and our country because it will create good-paying clean energy manufacturing jobs right here at home,” said Lara Pearson, Founder at Law Office of Lara Pearson Ltd, PBC. 

“Let’s use American problem-solving and know-how to use manufacturing to maintain our global position and once again become the envy of the world,” said Kelly Erin O’Brien, Founder of Tendaji LLC. 

“Approving ESIA now is critically important to our entire planet – all 8 billion people around the world,” said Michael Smolens, Founder and Executive Chairmen at Dotsub.  

The ESIA is originally co-sponsored by Representatives Cori Bush, Jason Crow, Adriano Espaillat, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Andy Levin, Ayanna Pressley, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Ilhan Omar, Jamaal Bowman, Jesús “Chuy” García, Mark Takano, Mondaire Jones, Rashida Tlaib, Raul Grijalva, Jared Huffman, Ro Khanna, Yvette D. Clarke, Jerrold Nadler, Marie Newman, Nanette Diaz Barragán, Barbara Lee, Karen Bass, Mikie Sherrill, Sean Casten and Senators Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Jeff Merkley, Ed Markey, Alex Padilla, and Elizabeth Warren. 

ASBN and the business organizations it represents will continue to advocate for renewable energy, clean energy victory bonds, carbon tax, sustainable infrastructure and will be deploying a comprehensive advocacy campaign on the issues related to these matters. 

The American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) is a movement builder in partnership with the business and investor community. ASBN develops and advocates solutions for policymakers, business leaders, and investors that support an equitable, regenerative, and just economy that benefits all⁠ – people and planet. As a multi-issue, membership organization advocating on behalf of every business sector, size, and geography, ASBN and its association members collectively represent over 250,000 businesses across our networks.