The Valley Chronicle - Padilla, Feinstein Co- Sponsor Bill to make Energy Effi

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein (both D-Calif.) joined Senator Jon Os_x0002_soff (D-Ga.) and several of their Senate colleagues in introducing the Clean Energy for All Homes Act, which would help families and homeowners, both in California and across the country, afford solar roof paneling and other renew_x0002_able energy technology in_x0002_stallations to save money on their energy bills. The legislation would al_x0002_low taxpayers to receive a full tax refund to offset the costs of installing solar panels and other energy ef_x0002_ficient technologies, which would incentivize installa_x0002_tions to help reduce green_x0002_house gas emissions and accelerate the transition to clean energy.

“The impacts of the cli_x0002_mate crisis are being felt in California and across the country – we must meet this challenge with the urgency it demands,” said Senator Padilla. “That’s why I’m joining my col_x0002_leagues in introducing legislation to include a di_x0002_rect-pay option for the re_x0002_newable energy tax credits that will help millions of Californians install so_x0002_lar panels, grant low- and moderate-income house_x0002_holds equitable access to this tax credit, and help us meet President Biden’s goal of a 50 percent re_x0002_duction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.”

“Clean energy should be affordable for all, not just those who pay enough tax_x0002_es to receive the credit. By making the credit for solar panel installation refund_x0002_able to homeowners, we will make residential solar power more accessible for all Americans and do more to combat climate change,” said Senator Feinstein. “This is especially import_x0002_ant in California as we lead efforts to develop a more distributed electricity grid – which is both critical to reduce emissions as well as to limit power shutoffs to prevent wildfires.” “This bill will make it more affordable for all Americans to install en_x0002_ergy efficient technolo_x0002_gy at home so we can cut pollution and reduce our electric bills,” said Senator Ossoff.

“Making Section 25D re_x0002_fundable unlocks the op_x0002_portunity for more than 40 million households to re_x0002_alize the benefits of having solar panels at home – in_x0002_cluding 3.2 million Black households and 3 million Hispanic households,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “I am proud to join my Sen_x0002_ate colleagues in leading this effort so we can tackle greenhouse gas emissions from homes and promote energy equity in low- and medium-income commu_x0002_nities, all while lowering electricity bills.” Padilla and Feinstein have been leaders in easing the tax burden on homeown_x0002_ers who make their homes more water and energy ef_x0002_ficient. Last month, they lead a group of Senators in a letter to Senate leadership urging them to include a direct pay option for res_x0002_idential renewable energy property tax credits into our tax code. Earlier this year, Padilla and Feinstein also introduced legislation to amend federal tax law so that homeowners would not need to pay income tax when they receive rebates from water utilities for wa_x0002_ter conservation and water runoff management im_x0002_provements that they have made.

Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Michael Ben_x0002_net (D-Colo.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Reverend Raphael War_x0002_nock (D-Ga.) co-spon_x0002_sored the legislation in the Senate. Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) intro_x0002_duced companion legisla_x0002_tion in the House of Rep_x0002_resentatives.