April 17, 2024 Press Release Members of the Regional Leadership Council (RLC) and its chair, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), met with Jigar Shah, Director of the Loan Programs Office at the Department of Energy yesterday to discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is stimulating private investments to develop new green technologies and combat the climate crisis. The IRA dramatically increased the size Department of Energy's loan program, expanding its ability to invest in a variety of clean energy projects – from windfarms to electric vehicles to new batteries and much more. Recognizing the importance of these green innovations to America's economic success in the twenty-first century, Director Shah and members of the Regional Leadership Council had a conversation about how House Democrats and the Biden-Harris Administration can continue working together to bring these investments to bear in communities across the country. Image Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries created the Regional Leadership Council in January 2023 and appointed Congressman Hoyer to serve as its Chair. In addition to Congressman Hoyer, the council consists of twelve Members who each represent one of the United States' twelve regions. The council is working to ensure that Americans in every corner of the country and in every zip code can access the opportunities created by the historic policies that Democrats secured in the 117th Congress, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Honoring Our PACT Act, and many others. "If we want to maintain the strongest economy in the world in the twenty-first century, we must also ensure that America remains the global leader in clean energy." Chairman Hoyer said. "The Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office is absolutely central to that effort, and so is its director, Jigar Shah. The Regional Leadership Council was pleased to meet with him today to discuss how these investments are strengthening our economy and creating new opportunities for American workers and businesses. Together, we reaffirmed that Investing in America means investing in clean energy and green innovation." Make sure you keep up with the Regional Leadership Council by visiting our website, signing up for our newsletter, and subscribing to our YouTube channel.
