Bicameral Electrification Caucus Led By Heinrich, Smith, Tonko, Castor Gains Momentum As Membership Expands

WASHINGTON (Dec. 22, 2021) – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representatives Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) announced the addition of 24 lawmakers to the first-ever Electrification Caucus. Established in November, the bicameral caucus works to advance policies to accelerate widespread electrification—including lowering energy bills, improving air quality and public health, addressing the climate crisis, and creating jobs.

“We are building a strong coalition of leaders who are dedicated to lowering costs for American families and taking action to combat the climate crisis. Electrifying our homes, commercial buildings, and vehicles is one of the most practical actions we can take to insulate American families from volatile fossil fuel prices, create jobs in our local economies, and improve the air we breathe in our homes and workplaces,” said Heinrich, Smith, Tonko, and Castor. “This group has the drive and momentum to lock in the long-term financial and health benefits that come with electrification for all of our constituents. And that momentum is only growing.”

Led by Heinrich, Smith, Tonko, and Castor, the caucus’ current membership includes U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (OR), Angus King (ME), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Ed Markey (MA), Dick Durbin (IL), John Hickenlooper (CO), Brian Schatz (HI), Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Nanette Barragán (CA-09), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Scott Peters (CA-52), Sean Casten (IL-06), A. Donald McEachin (VA-04), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Doris Matsui (CA-06), and Deborah Ross (NC-02).

The bicameral Electrification Caucus is committed to advancing widespread electrification by addressing:

• Consumer rebates, consumer-facing tax credits, and financing mechanisms
• Workforce training
• Justice and equity issues related to electrification
• Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
• Building codes
• Grid improvements and expanding transmission
• Upstream incentives to spur U.S. manufacturing
• Transition of electric sector to clean energy
• Incentives to encourage electrification of industrial processes and facilities

###