President-Elect Biden Committed to Addressing Climate Change 

Biden pledges to accelerate the clean energy economy 

Knoxville, Tenn. – Today, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. was declared the winner of the 2020 election, officially becoming President-Elect of the United States. Despite the pandemic and other obstacles, voters turned out in record numbers to decide who will represent us, and the will of the voters is clear in selecting Biden to tackle critical issues like the climate crisis and move us toward a more sustainable, equitable future for all.

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) anticipates that the Biden-Harris Administration will advocate for a robust clean energy agenda. The U.S. currently relies too heavily on fuels that pollute the air, water, and land we depend on, but the national conversation around energy is rapidly changing. Overall, across political party lines, 77% of Americans agree that developing alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar power, is more of a priority than increasing production of environmentally-harmful fossil fuels. 

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund, the non-partisan, non-profit political arm of SACE, endorsed President-Elect Biden based on his stated positions on climate and energy issues and his campaign policy proposals, notably including his: 

• Acceptance of the scientific reality and of climate change and acknowledgment of the many threats it poses.
• Build Back Better clean energy plan, which aims to achieve economy-wide net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and to decarbonize the power sector by 2035.
• Commitment to environmental justice by calling for 40% of clean energy spending benefits to be directed to disadvantaged communities and ensuring investment in workers and communities impacted by the clean energy transition.
• Proposal to position the U.S. auto industry to be a global leader in electric transportation and transition federal, state, tribal, postal, and local fleet vehicles to electric.
• Plan to retrofit millions of homes and commercial buildings with energy efficient upgrades, build new energy efficient affordable homes and housing units, and retrofit schools with energy efficiency and safety measures.
• Acknowledgment of the risk of fossil fuel energy, including a commitment to issue a moratorium on new oil and gas leases on federal lands and water.

Dr. Stephen A. Smith, Executive Director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy said, “The people have spoken by casting more votes for Joe Biden than any other presidential campaign in history. The differences between the candidates in this year’s election could not have been more stark, and Biden’s election is a victory for climate as time is running out to address serious climate disruption. Clean energy and climate change became prominent issues with voters in this election, and President-Elect Biden has committed to invest in clean energy solutions to ensure our well-being for generations to come. 

SACE is hopeful that President-Elect Biden’s belief in science, acknowledgment of the government’s role in solving the climate crisis, and commitment to doing so in an equitable and fair way will play a pivotal role in moving us collectively to a safer, healthier, more vibrant future. We also hope President-Elect Biden will prioritize appointments to the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors so that the largest public power entity in the United States can be a living laboratory for clean energy innovation.

It’s now time that we come together to ensure that the will of the people prevails, and to support the Biden-Harris Administration as they begin the important work of improving our economy and environment through clean energy solutions.”

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About Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

Founded in 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible energy choices to ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at www.cleanenergy.org.

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