The U.S. Passed a Clean Energy Stimulus in 2009—Can the Same Happen in 2020?

When Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009, an $800 billion stimulus package signed by President Obama during the Great Recession, $90 billion was budgeted to support clean energy initiatives and infrastructure. The administration sought to put people back to work while assisting long-term positive impacts on climate and public health, says Obama's top energy and climate advisor Carol Browner. 

"A decade later, as the country enters a pandemic-driven economic downturn that could rival or exceed the Great Recession, the Recovery Act provides a template for how lawmakers might drive further growth in clean energy — particularly nascent industries such as energy storage or electric vehicles," writes Sammy Roth.

So far, lawmakers have not taken action to support clean energy advances. Clean energy funding was notably absent from the $2.2 trillion stimulus package passed in late March. 

If Democrats gain a majority in the Senate and win the presidential election, it's likely that a Recovery Act-inspired stimulus bill would follow. Some predict that the bill would support the electric vehicle supply chain. Browner contends that clean energy investment should support public health by working to reduce carbon dioxide and air pollution produced by gas-powered vehicles. Companies in solar and wind energy are also requesting support to avoid the loss of 35,000 jobs and $35 billion in investment.