Bush, Sanders, Crow Introduce Energy Security and Independence Act of 2022

(Office of Congresswoman Cory Bush (D-MO-01)) Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) introduced the Energy Security and Independence Act, a historic effort to strengthen America’s renewable energy supply chain through the Defense Production Act and invest in programs to lower utility prices.

“The days of energy security being synonymous with a reliance on human rights violators like Russia and Saudi Arabia, or a propagation of corporate profits for Exxon, Chevron, and BP, are over,” said Congresswoman Cori Bush. “When we talk about energy security, it’s time we include the safety of Black and brown lives in that definition. Energy security means making energy affordable for every household. Energy security means investing in energy efficiency so people can breathe clean air and keep the heat or air conditioning on. Energy security means alleviating the climate crisis by reducing our emissions and transitioning to renewable energy. I’m proud to work together with my colleagues Senator Sanders and Congressman Crow to make our vision of energy security a reality in this country.”

“When it comes to the existential threat of climate change, we are in the midst of a global struggle with nothing less than the future of the planet at stake,” said Senator Bernie Sanders. “Today, with rising prices on essential items and Russia’s horrific war in Ukraine, it is clear now more than ever: Addressing climate change and energy dependence is not just an environmental issue, it is a matter of national security. That’s why I’m proud to join with Representatives Bush and Crow to introduce the Energy Security and Independence Act, which would put us on the path to transforming our energy system away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy. Not only would this legislation help us combat climate change and strengthen energy security and independence in the U.S., but it will help working families save money on their utility bills, create good, union jobs, and take on the greed of oligarchs both here and abroad. Now is the time to think and act boldly in order to leave a more peaceful and habitable world for our children and grandchildren.”

“As the climate crisis worsens and oil prices skyrocket from Putin’s war, we must accelerate our transition to clean energy,” said Congressman Crow. “I’m proud to join with Rep. Bush and Senator Sanders in introducing the Energy Security and Independence Act – commonsense legislation that will help meet the moment on our climate goals and bolster our national security.”

Today, as oil and gas prices worldwide continue to surge following Russia’s horrific invasion of Ukraine, the dangers of America’s reliance on fossil fuels are more clear than ever. Indeed, Russia’s invasion has not resulted in a loss of oil supply to the market. Rather, it led to a rise in oil prices for Americans at the pump, laying bare our extreme reliance on foreign oil and glaring vulnerability in this moment of international unrest.

For far too long, generations of Black, brown, and Indigenous communities have shouldered the economic and health costs of our relentless reliance on fossil fuels. “Natural” gas has exposed 1 million Black Americans to cancer-causing carcinogens and has been responsible for thousands of days of school missed by Black children. Climate change’s worst impacts, including flooding, wildfires, and extreme heat, are more likely to affect frontline low-income communities left with nowhere else to live.

To avoid further energy insecurity and end our support of the world’s human rights violators, the Energy Security and Independence Act will refocus America’s energy sources on renewable energy development by invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA) to scale our transition to zero-emission industries.

In doing so, the Act’s public investments will create high-quality new jobs in sustainable manufacturing. Additionally, those same investments will create good-paying, safe jobs, and reduce legacy pollution levels across the country.

"In order to have a livable future where all of us thrive, the United States must take decisive action to protect against climate crises by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Pam Campos-Palma, Director of Peace & Security at the Working Families Party. “Congresswoman Bush, Senator Sanders, President Biden, and working-class people everywhere know the United States has the power to lower energy prices now and invest in healthier, more sustainable forms of renewable energy. Reducing our hyper-reliance on fossil fuels is vital to putting an end to deadly forms of international competition. This legislation will save lives and livelihood here at home and across the world. Working families, our nation, and our planet cannot wait."

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine makes crystal clear that true energy security means powering the United States with 100% renewable energy and not an ounce of dangerous fossil fuels,” said Jean Su, Energy Justice Director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Congress should move urgently to pass Rep. Bush’s bill and super-charge the climate transition. No household should suffer the disconnections and energy price swings that are the hallmarks of fossil-fuel utilities. This is Biden’s golden opportunity to end the fossil fuel era once and for all.”

"Putin’s abhorrent actions in Ukraine and the ever-worsening climate crisis have the same root cause – the power of the fossil fuel industry and our dependence on its products,” said Johanna Bozuwa, Executive Director of the Climate and Community Project. “We need a swift transformation towards an energy system based on renewable energy, justice, and resilience. Representative Cori Bush's Energy Security and Independence Act rejects fossil fuels as patriotism or pragmatism and instead charts a better path."

“We are in a historic moment that has further exposed the danger of our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Lauren Maunus, Sunrise Movement Advocacy Director. “We are at a crossroads on energy, and the US must follow the lead of Representative Cori Bush and her Energy Security and Independence Act to transition our economy to renewable energy, end our reliance on authoritarian petrostates, stop the climate crisis and environmental racism, and create millions of good, union jobs. Now more than ever, we need a Green New Deal, and this bill would be a significant step towards making that a reality.”