Peaker Act of 2021 Calls for 10% Energy Storage ITC to Replace Dirty Peaker Plants
Solar Power Wold
By: Kelly Pickerel
A new piece of legislation has been introduced to Congress: Promoting Energy Alternatives is Key to Emission Reductions Act of 2021, also known as the PEAKER Act of 2021.
Supported by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representatives Yvette D. Clarke, Nydia Velazquez and Jerrold Nadler — all from New York — the bill would provide financial incentives to facilitate more rapid deployment of clean energy and energy storage to replace aging and dirty peaker plants in disadvantaged communities. The quartet announced the Act outside Sims Recycling Plant in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
“Communities from Sunset Park to the South Bronx bear the brunt of harmful emissions because of peaker plants in their backyards,” said Senator Gillibrand. “To help these communities, and to help our country build a stronger, healthier and more sustainable future, we must shift our energy reliance away from fossil fuels to renewables. Our bill, the PEAKER Act, would help quickly replace aging and dirty peaker plants with clean energy and battery storage. Together, we will keep working to bring an end to the use of these fossil fuel plants, to usher in the next generation of green energy technology, and help these communities breathe cleaner air.”
“Marginalized communities have always been on the front lines of environmental battles,” said Rep. Velazquez. “People of color, working families, and women are disproportionately affected by environmental problems. I’m proud to join my House and Senate colleagues in introducing the PEAKER Act, which will address this environmental injustice by facilitating clean energy conversions and battery storage to help replace these aging and dirty peaker plants.”
