Psaki: ‘Range’ of proposals could help Biden meet climate goal

White House press secretary Jen Psaki argued on Monday that a “range” of proposals could help President Biden meet his climate goals amid questions over the future of a key clean electricity provision. 

Psaki told reporters that the president remained committed to his goal of getting the country to completely carbon emission-free electricity by 2035 and that there are multiple ways to get there. 

“A hundred percent clean power by 2035 is a goal he committed to over a year ago … and he remains committed to it. The good news is there are a range of good ideas and proposals out there from members of Congress about how this legislation can help meet that goal,” she said. 

“There is no question in our minds — there is important debating right now happening about what the components of the climate proposals will be in these packages — that these packages will have a historic impact in addressing our climate crisis,” she added. 

Asked how the U.S. can meet its goals without the clean electricity plan, Psaki said she’s “not going to speculate what’s in or out” but that there is a “range” of ideas about how to address climate change. 

“There’s no question that whatever lands in the bill, it will … have a historic impact in addressing the climate crisis,” she said. 

Psaki also touted administrative actions such as investing in clean energy and moves to accelerate electric vehicle deployment. 

Her comments come amid reports that the Clean Electricity Performance Program — which seeks to shift the country toward clean electricity — could be cut due to long-standing opposition from Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). 

Manchin has argued that he doesn’t want to subsidize the shift toward clean energy since the market is already moving in that direction. 

But supporters of the program say investment is needed to accelerate and amplify the shift. 

And the questions about the proposal come as the world gears up for a major climate conference in Glasgow that starts at the end of the month.