Announcement comes days after Senators Markey and Warren lead colleagues in letter to Biden administration urging deployment of clean energy and energy-efficient electric technologies to increase energy security in response to Putin’s market disruption

Washington, D.C. (March 22, 2022) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chair of the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Safety, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), today commented on the announcement from President Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the creation of a joint Task Force to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels through, in part, a reduction of demand for natural gas and the deployment of clean energy and energy-efficient technologies. The announcement comes just days after a letter to President Joseph R. Biden from Senator Markey and Senator Warren urging him to employ his existing executive authorities to advance the development and widespread adoption of clean energy and energy-efficient electric technologies, such as heat pumps, in order to reduce demand for Russian fossil fuels, cut emissions, and save money for consumers in both the United States and allied countries. The letter was joined by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).

“The announcement from President Biden and European Commission President von der Leyen today looks toward a transition to clean energy that will not only safeguard our planet, but our security and our economy—but we need to take concrete steps to achieve that transition,” said Senators Markey and Warren. “We need to cut fossil fuel demand and deploy renewable and energy-efficient technologies in order to provide real long-term security for ourselves and our allies. As President Biden works to take short-term steps to support Europe in the face of war and disruption, we urge the administration to continue to direct investments, funding, and private-sector collaborations toward the renewable energy and electrification solutions that will keep us safe, healthy, and supplied with affordable energy.”

A copy of the letter can be found HERE.

###