Washington, D.C. — Today, President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a joint effort to urgently reduce European demand for Russian natural gas in response to President Vladimir Putin’s unjustified war in Ukraine and the resulting shock waves to the global energy system. Among other actions, the announcement included increasing liquid natural gas (LNG) supplies and new LNG import infrastructure; accelerating clean energy infrastructure and efficiency technologies; and recommitting to keeping the 1.5-degree Paris climate agreement goal. In response, John Podesta, founder and chair of the Board of Directors of the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
The United States should do everything it can to support its European allies as they try to reduce their dependence on Russian natural gas. This is a critical step in the global push to increase economic pressure on Russia in response to Putin’s war against Ukraine. While U.S. and allied efforts to increase natural gas imports into Europe will help undermine Russia in the short term, the best bet for domestic energy security—and the best way to support our allies—is to rapidly transition to clean energy.
Congress must make investments in building a clean energy economy now. Funding for clean energy tax credits and new domestic clean energy manufacturing will cut energy costs, supercharge our domestic supply chain, create jobs, and ensure long-term energy security for the United States and its allies.
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].