EDF Welcomes Introduction of Clean Industrial Technologies Act

(WASHINGTON, DC – July 25, 2019)—EDF welcomes the introduction today of the Clean Industrial Technologies Act of 2019 (CITA) in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. This bipartisan bill focuses on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the most difficult to decarbonize pieces of the industrial sector, which represents around 30 percent of energy-related CO2 emissions in the U.S.

CITA would authorize a new U.S. Department of Energy-led research, development, and demonstration program to develop and deploy technologies that will help reduce GHG emissions industrial emission sources such as industrial heat, shipping, chemicals and plastic production, heavy transport including shipping and aviation, and cement and steel production.

“CITA recognizes the need for a national bipartisan strategy to reduce industrial GHG emissions. It is essential to addressing climate change and we are proud to support this effort. The bill sponsors Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) and Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) in the House and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) in the Senate deserve our great thanks for their leadership in tackling these challenging issues,” said Elgie Holstein, Senior Director for Strategic Planning.

CITA directs the Department of Energy to establish a Transformative Industrial Technology Program aimed at developing innovative zero-carbon technologies. The program would also develop a roadmap for decarbonizing these technologies and assist states in implementation.

“The industrial energy sources targeted in CITA are among the hardest to decarbonize across our whole economy,” said Holstein. “Developing technologies that can provide low- and no-carbon alternatives can help the U.S. maintain a robust, dynamic and sustainable industrial sector.”