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Energy and Climate Policy

Illinois residents are experiencing the effects of climate change firsthand through increased energy demands for home heating and cooling, more frequent extreme weather, rising home insurance premiums due to climate-related disasters, disrupted growing seasons, and threats to our treasured natural landscapes and ecosystems.

As a Congressman, scientist, and clean energy entrepreneur, Sean’s mission is to combat the climate crisis and protect our planet for future generations. Sean has championed high-impact, market-based climate change legislation as Vice Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, Vice Chair of the Sustainable Environment and Energy Coalition (SEEC), and former member of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and House Science, Space and Technology Committee.

Sean is the lead author of the Cheap Energy Act, a consumer-focused approach to US energy policy. He believes that, for far too long, we have prioritized energy companies and their profits. We must shift this approach, and put American consumers first. That is the key to expanding access to cheap, reliable, and clean energy sources.

In Congress, Sean:

  • Helped write and pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which became law in 2022. The IRA was America’s largest-ever climate and energy investment and is one of the most significant climate action measures ever taken.
  • Secured $505 million for clean energy battery storage to help increase the reliability and resilience of the electrical grid.
  • Secured $500 million for the research and development of low-carbon industrial technologies.
  • Championed clean energy provisions that were signed into law to require 10% of existing and future military installations to reach net zero emissions by 2035.

Sean introduced the following energy and climate legislation:

  • The End Oil and Gas Tax Subsidies Act to eliminate loopholes and tax breaks that benefit the oil and gas industry, because fossil fuels shouldn’t cost taxpayers $650 billion a year as they pollute our air and water.
  • The Interregional Transmission Planning Improvement Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at creating jobs and expediting the transition to a clean energy grid.
  • The Climate Risk Disclosure Act to require public companies to disclose their financial and business risks related to climate change.
  • The Tradable Performance Standard Act to eradicate 40% of US greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
  • The LNG Public Interest Determination Act to help make sure that the U.S. Department of Energy considers how new liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipelines impact energy costs and American consumers before issuing permits.
  • The Exported Carbon Emissions Act to allow us to better track the carbon dioxide and methane emissions caused by exporting liquefied natural gas to other countries.
  • The Vehicle Energy Performance Act to encourage car manufactures to sell energy-efficient vehicles and incentivize consumers to purchase new vehicles with better-than-average energy performance
  • The Voluntary Sustainable Apparel Labeling Act and the Voluntary Food Climate Labeling Act to help consumers better understand the carbon footprint of the clothing and food they purchase.

As the former CEO of two successful clean energy companies, Sean knows that we can lower carbon emissions and create jobs — because he’s done it. Sean believes that the United States must use the power of competitive markets to encourage energy innovation and create clean energy jobs.

The good news is that fixing many existing environmental policies doesn’t require political conflict — it requires electing experts who understand the issues and can reach across the political divide. Sean is committed to following the facts and working with leaders on both sides of the aisle to build our country’s clean energy infrastructure and keep America as the top innovator in a rapidly growing sector of the global economy.