Statement From EPSA’s Todd Snitchler Urges Policymakers to Focus on Public Health, Struggling Americans
Washington, D.C. – As demands for tax credits and other handouts from certain energy groups blocked critical legislation to rescue Americans struggling under the weight of an unprecedented global health pandemic, Todd Snitchler, president and CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association, issued the following statement.
“An emergency effort to provide desperately needed relief to Americans and our economy in a time of crisis is not the time to seek additional subsidies and tax credits to further pad the bottom lines of already cost-competitive energy sources,” said Snitchler.
“Hospitals and emergency responders don’t have face masks, but members of the House and Senate are being pressured to cave to special interests to extend energy tax credits and support for other segments of the energy industry seeking special favors and handouts.
“We believe the efforts of the federal government should be focused on ensuring the health and well-being of the American public. Policymakers should prioritize keeping the lights on for hospitals and supporting emergency workers, not be distracted by subsidy-seekers. There will be time for special interests to pursue their agenda once this crisis has passed,” he continued.
“When America’s economy once again sees the sun and the wind is again at our backs, then we can talk about the goals of special interests, but today is not that day,” Snitchler concluded.
EPSA, which represents competitive power suppliers providing more than 150,000 MW of electricity from natural gas, renewables, nuclear, and coal, sent a letter last week to House and Senate leaders urging them to prioritize the health and well-being of Americans rather than use the coronavirus crisis as a lever to pursue handouts.
The letter noted “Competitive power suppliers have substantial generation capacity and stand ready to deliver power when called upon. We are ready and able to do our part to keep America’s people and critical industries powered.”
The Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA) is the national trade association representing America’s competitive power suppliers. EPSA members provide nearly 150,000 MW of reliable and competitively priced electricity from environmentally responsible facilities using a diverse mix of fuels and technologies including natural gas, wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, storage, biomass, and coal. EPSA seeks to bring the benefits of competition to all power customers. Learn more at www.epsa.org and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter @EPSAnews.
