Rep. Stevens Advocates for Sustainable Manufacturing, Clean Transportation, and Clean Energy in Letter to Select Committee on Climate Crisis

November 21, 2019
Press Release

WASHINGTON— On Thursday, Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11) submitted written testimony to the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis to outline several of her environmental priorities as the Select Committee crafts policy proposals to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and ensure our communities are resilient to the impacts of climate change.

In her written testimony, Rep. Stevens discussed her support for greater production of domestically-built electric vehicles, sustainable manufacturing processes, and clean energy tax credits.  

You can read the full letter here and below.

Dear Chairwoman Castor, Ranking Member Graves, and Members of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis:

Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to provide testimony on the urgent need to address the climate crisis, build out our clean energy infrastructure, and promote our transition to a sustainable 21st Century economy. 

In August, I had the honor of hosting Chairwoman Castor for a town hall in Michigan’s 11th District to discuss electric vehicles and clean transportation. During the discussion, we heard from a panel of experts who made it clear that encouraging greater production and consumer adoption of electric vehicles is key to hitting our sustainability goals while creating new economic opportunities right here in the United States. As electric vehicle technology proliferates, I urge the Select Committee to ensure that the next generation of automobiles are being built by American workers.

I would also like to urge Members of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis to promote and encourage the practice of remanufacturing, which is the process by which used products are returned to good-as-new (or better) condition. The International Trade Commission estimates that remanufacturing has already added over 180,000 jobs in the U.S., with an enormous potential for growth. In addition to creating jobs, remanufacturing reduces the strain of industrial processes on the environment and lowers the cost of production for manufacturers. Remanufacturing and comprehensive refurbishment has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 79 percent and 99 percent in appropriate sectors.  

Finally, I would like to affirm my strong support for tax incentives to encourage investment and innovation in clean electricity, clean transportation, and energy efficiency. Right now, the U.S. tax system provides permanent subsidies to polluting industries while leaving clean, renewable energy companies in the lurch. We must take advantage of the opportunity to make smart investments in clean energy to help the U.S. reduce carbon pollution and prepare our communities for the damaging effects of rising sea levels, severe  weather and catastrophic wildfires.  

We need to seize hold of the opportunity to tackle climate change by making major investments in our infrastructure and our workforce, while fostering innovation and job creation. 

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I hope you will keep these issues in mind as you craft policies to address the threat of global climate change. 

Sincerely,

Haley M. Stevens
Member of Congress

Background: Rep. Stevens on Electric Vehicles, Remanufacturing, & Clean Energy Tax Credits

  • In February, Rep. Stevens wrote an op-ed to promote remanufacturing as a cheaper and more sustainable method of production.
  • In April, Rep. Stevens introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate April 11th, 2019, as Remanufacturing Day.
  • In April, Rep. Stevens introduced the Vehicle Innovation Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill to promote investments in research and development of clean vehicle and advanced safety technologies to increase fuel efficiency and reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.
  • In April, Rep. Stevens led more than 100 House Democrats in a letter to House Ways & Means Chairman Richard Neal calling for the committee to take up legislation to provide long-term certainty for a slate of clean energy tax incentives that would help combat the growing climate crisis and support American jobs in growing clean energy industries.
  • In August, Rep. Stevens hosted Select Committee Chairwoman Kathy Castor (FL-14), along with other Members of the Michigan delegation, for a town hall discussion on electric vehicles and clean transportation.

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