Lawmakers call for expanding green technology

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle Thursday said the U.S. is in a strong position to use technology to help protect the environment, and highlighted the domestic and international opportunities for the industry.

“To use the knowledge we have, the tools that we have to advance our humanity in a way in which we protect our planet, we provide opportunities for everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, background or station of life,” Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) said at The Hill’s “Responsible Innovation: Protecting Our Planet with Technology” event.

“To be able to grab hold of an economy that will expand and be sustainable for generations to come.”

The New York Democrat, who serves as a member of the Energy and Commerce committee, told The Hill’s Steve Clemons that disparities of access to technology, clean water and energy sources have been further revealed by the pandemic.

“The climate crisis, the pandemic, the economic distress — it’s all converged simultaneously. And with that knowledge we know that new industries must evolve to meet the moment. Energy is at the heart of that,” she said.

.@RepYvetteClarke: “the climate crisis, the pandemic, the economic distress, it has all converged simultaneously… industries must evolve to meet the moment, and energy is at the heart of that” #TheHillTech https://t.co/14SenKAsAD pic.twitter.com/keAU7WKBbq

— The Hill Events (@TheHillEvents) January 28, 2021

Clarke’s remarks come as the Biden administration is preparing to unveil an infrastructure package in the coming months that’s expected to include a slew of clean energy and environmental provisions, in addition to the traditional road and bridge construction spending in previous infrastructure bills.

“We will build out an infrastructure for renewable energy delivery, making sure that those communities are not left behind but a part of the expansion of the infrastructure that we need to put in place — all of this is what we’re working on in terms of legislative initiatives on Capitol Hill,” Clarke said.

The House passed a $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill in July. The measure was not taken up by the Senate, which was controlled by Republicans at the time.

Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah), a member of the House Natural Resources Committee who also spoke at Thursday’s event, said the U.S. tech industry is poised to capitalize on its advancements by exporting American technology.

“The U.S. tech industry leads on green, clean technologies. And getting this tech overseas — that’s a win. There’s a great opportunity for U.S. leadership and bipartisanship on this,” he said at the event sponsored by the Information Technology Industry Council.

“We are on the cusp of either becoming the world leader in this technology, or letting somebody else do it — and we cannot pass this opportunity up.”

.@RepJohnCurtis on the U.S. leading environmental efforts on a global stage: “We are on the cusp of either becoming the world leader in this technology, or letting somebody else do it – and we cannot pass this opportunity up” #TheHillTech https://t.co/14SenKAsAD pic.twitter.com/TVncaQ4z7F

— The Hill Events (@TheHillEvents) January 28, 2021