Friends and Allies,

President Biden just wrapped up his first State of the Union address and one thing he made very clear is: Clean energy is the future of our economy. 

IF YOU SAY ONE THING: President Biden’s strong address to the nation laid out the critical importance of investing in a clean energy economy. It’s how we lower household costs, create good-paying jobs, cut pollution and deliver justice. Clean energy is the future of the U.S. economy. As President Biden said: “What are we waiting for? Let’s get this done.” 

According to a New Pew Research Poll: 

• 69% of American adults favor developing alternative energy, including wind and solar, over increasing production of fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas.

• 69% of Americans want the US to take steps to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Highlights from today’s speech:

• WATCH & TWEET: “We’ll create good jobs for millions of Americans, modernizing roads, airports, ports, and waterways all across America. And we’ll do it all to withstand the devastating effects of climate change and promote environmental justice.”

• WATCH & TWEET: “We’ll build a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations, begin to replace poisonous lead pipes—so every child—and every American—has clean water to drink at home and at school, provide affordable high-speed internet for every American—urban, suburban, rural, and tribal communities. 4,000 projects have already been announced.”

• WATCH & TWEET: “ Let’s cut energy costs for families an average of $500 a year by combating climate change. Let’s provide investments and tax credits to weatherize your homes and businesses to be energy efficient and you get a tax credit for it; double America’s clean energy production in solar, wind, and so much more; lower the price of electric vehicles, saving you another $80 a month that your not going to have to pay at the gas pump.”

• WATCH & TWEET: “I have a better plan to fight inflation. Lower your costs, not your wages. That means make more cars and semiconductors in America. More infrastructure and innovation in America. More goods moving faster and cheaper in America. More jobs where you can earn a good living in America. And instead of relying on foreign supply chains, let’s make it in America.

Don’t just take it from us, here’s what folks are saying:

• Good tweets to RT:

• Administration: President Biden, Sec. Granholm, Administrator Regan, DOE, DOE, DOE, Matt Hill

• Members of Congress: Rep. Escobar, Rep. Bonamici, Rep. Correa, Rep. Barragán, Rep. Casten, Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, Rep. Levin, Rep. Bonamici

• Partners & Allies: Clean Energy for America, Sierra Club, American Renewable Energy, Lori Lodes , Mustafa Santiago Ali, Sierra Club, NRDC Action Fund, Climate Power, CAP Energy Policy, Emily Samsel, Black Millennials for Flint, SEIA

• Reporters: Dean Scott, Ella Neilson, Maxine Joselow, Anne Mulkren, LA Times, Chris D'Angelo

• Key articles:

• Bloomberg - Biden State of the Union to Cast Climate Bill as Anti-Inflation, Justin Sink and Jennifer Dlouhy: “Joe Biden will call on Congress to revive stalled climate legislation in Tuesday’s State of the Union address, pitching a package of tax credits and climate spending as a way to battle inflation and save the average American family $500 per year.”

• LA Times - Inflation is your No. 1 issue. These are the others ahead of Biden’s State of the Union, Anumita Kaur and Erin B. Logan: “the president is expected to call on Congress to deliver on a legislative agenda for clean energy and climate action that “has overwhelming support from the American people.” 

• LA Times - In first State of the Union, Biden will pledge to lower inflation, criticize Putin, Jennifer Haberkorn: “Administration officials said Biden would ask Congress to send him legislation that includes the effort’s proposals to reduce prescription drug costs, expand child care, tackle climate change and reduce the deficit. It is not clear how Biden will persuade Manchin to get on board with such proposals.”

• Huff Post - Biden Says Energy Plan Will Fight Climate Change, Inflation In State Of The Union Speech, Chris D’Angelo and Alexander Kaufman: Biden promised that fighting climate change would translate into an average $500 per year in energy savings for American households. The figure came from an October analysis by the Rhodium Group, a widely respected consultancy. [...] He pledged to build out 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations and replace lead pipes as part of 4,000 infrastructure projects the president said were already underway. Next he promised to “start fixing over 65,000 miles of highway and 1,500 bridges in disrepair.” [...] “It is never a good bet to bet against the American people,” Biden said. “We’ll create good jobs for millions of Americans, modernizing roads, airports, ports, waterways all across America. And we’ll do it to withstand the devastating effects of climate change and promote environmental justice.”

• New York Times - Biden Says Fighting Inflation Is ‘Top Priority’ as Prices Bite Consumers, Jeanna Smialek The cost of food, fuel, housing, vacations, and furniture are all rising rapidly — and as conflict in Russia threatens to further push up gas prices in the coming months, the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better.

Additional Resources:

• Energy Prices Toolkit 

• Includes message & social guidance, key docs, and other content. This will be updated on a rolling basis with additional resources and content.

• Energy Prices & National Security Message Guidance

• Climate Power Statement

In partnership,

Climate Power Team