WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) and Rep. Ami Bera (CA-07), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, introduced the Prioritizing Clean Energy and Climate Cooperation with India Act of 2022.

India faces one of the highest disaster risk levels stemming from climate change with nearly $90 billion in estimated climate-related losses in 2020 alone. Nearly 638 million people in India live in areas vulnerable to climate change. While access to electricity has reached most households, more than 20 percent of households face daily outages. Despite the Indian government’s ambitious climate goals and desire to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, renewable energy only meets a small percentage of its energy requirements.

“Without international collaboration, we do not stand a chance to fight climate change,” said Rep. Peters. “Current challenges in India highlight how targeted investments in research and clean technologies to mitigate climate change can deepen our ties with partners like India, foster a global transition to sustainable energy, and solidify the U.S. as a leader in the clean energy revolution.”

The Prioritizing Clean Energy and Climate Cooperation with India Act would:

• Establish the U.S.-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership to serve as the primary forum for cooperation on clean energy technologies;
• Promote U.S.-India partnerships in research and innovation for clean energy technologies, provide technical assistance for grid improvement and energy efficiency in India, and provide incentives for the creation of new renewable energy sources in India; and
• Require the U.S. Agency for International Development to cooperate with India's government to integrate climate change risk reduction and resiliency strategies in India.

“As the world’s oldest and largest democracies, the United States and India have the opportunity to strengthen our clean energy partnership and jointly combat the shared threat of climate change,” said Representative Ami Bera. “This legislation will establish the U.S.-India Climate and Clean Energy Partnership to promote bilateral cooperation on clean energy technologies and enhance current efforts to increase Indian citizens’ access to the electrical grid. I am proud to work with my good friend Representative Peters to further strengthen our relationship with India.”

U.S. support for India’s transition away from fossil fuels and toward a cleaner and more reliable energy system is the top priority in this bilateral relationship. It will allow the U.S. to further address the impacts of climate change, support a reliable partner, increase air quality for millions of people, and position America as a global leader in renewable energy technology development and deployment.