Congress & Reconciliation: Why This New Clean Energy Program Matters
Originally published by Union of Concerned Scientists, The Equation.
By John Rogers
With its passage out of a key committee in the House of Representatives last week, the Clean Electricity Performance Program (CEPP) is a step closer to reality, as part of the powerful budget reconciliation bill (the Build Back Better Act). The bill, and that provision, still have a ways to go to get through Congress, as the House and Senate negotiate a final package. But it’s really important for clean energy to have this and complementary pieces moving — and even more important to get strong versions of them across the finish line.
To understand why, consider how the current design of the CEPP component answers the questions we had recently offered for gauging the robustness of the policy. The good news is that there’s a lot to like in what our elected representatives have laid out so far, and a whole lot to want to defend as its legislative journey continues.
And as for those five questions … the answers are very close, quite possibly, check, TBD, and yes. Here’s how the House language stacks up.
Would the targets be as strong as needed? Very close.
While “as needed” is tricky, since we need much more globally than has been put on the table so far, one useful benchmark might be the current US commitment under the Paris climate accord (50- to 52-percent reductions in heat-trapping emissions below 2005 levels by 2030), and specifically the power sector implications of that (approximately 80-percent clean electricity).
The focus of the CEPP is retail electricity providers — investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, electric cooperatives, and third-party retail electricity providers in states with competitive power markets. The CEPP that passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee (E&C) would reward those providers that increased their clean electricity supply by at least 4 percentage points in a given year (or per year, given some multiyear flexibility written into the plan). And it would collect payments from those that missed that benchmark.
That level of annual growth across the board, coupled with other complementary programs moving through the Build Back Better Act, such as clean energy tax incentives, would get us most of the way to the national target of 80 percent by 2030, according to analysis by the Rhodium Group. And the CEPP as envisioned provides a strong incentive for providers to beat that 4-percent-per-year level of growth to get us the rest of the way, together with all the clean energy pushes from states, utilities, companies, institutions, and households.
Would there be enough funding to power the transition? Quite possibly.
The early stages of the budget reconciliation process had the House and Senate approve the key top line number of $3.5 trillion, plus the allocations to the various committees. That resulted in $150 billion carved out for the CEPP within the portion the E&C is shepherding.
Is that sum enough? The performance grants for providers hitting the 4-point target would be $150 per megawatt-hour (MWh) of increased clean energy above a certain level. And that math — $150/MWh times the number of MWh needed to get to 80-percent clean electricity — works out pretty well, coming in close to the $150 billion.
So the next question is whether the resulting credit (including avoided payments for coming in too low) is enough to motivate providers to make the necessary push — and make the transition as easy and affordable as possible for customers. That level of incentive should make the willingness to invest in new renewables (directly or indirectly) at the pace and scale required all the more powerful.
So grants at that level under the CEPP could be a powerful complement to the extensions of the tax credits also included in the House reconciliation package to drive high levels of clean energy deployment.
Photo credit: John Rogers
Would the funding be used well? Check.
The current House text is explicit about what a provider can do with the performance grants it earns: use it “exclusively for the benefit of the ratepayers.” It then includes examples, such as direct bill assistance, clean energy and efficiency investments, and worker retention.
We agree: The CEPP grants should be used for purposes that directly and solely benefit the public by achieving the transition to clean electricity at a low cost and for maximum gain to consumers. So that’s good, strong language.
And it can be built on. We’ve recommended to lawmakers that they further specify allocation of the resources to ensure that this policy is doing its part to meet the administration’s Justice40 effort aimed at getting at least 40 percent of the benefits from federal investments to flow directly to disadvantaged communities.
Another clause in the E&C bill helpfully addresses the penalty portion for providers that don’t make the threshold in a given period: The legislation would let those payments be recovered only from “shareholders or owners.” That stipulation is particularly important in the case of investor-owned utilities.
Will it drive the cleanest sources? TBD.
As I’ve noted before, there’s low-carbon energy and then there’s really clean energy. Wind and solar would be the overwhelming favorites for providing the bulk of the new electrical capacity fueled by the CEPP. But the House does leave the door open to other options.
The E&C bill doesn’t spell out particular sources for inclusion or exclusion, instead setting a carbon intensity target — the maximum carbon pollution (carbon-dioxide equivalent on a 20-year global warming potential basis) per unit of electricity allowed for a source to qualify.
The good news is the House’s carbon intensity target is potentially quite strong, if it includes the emissions from the fuel supply (“upstream” emissions), although that isn’t clear from the current bill language. If upstream emissions are in there (again TBD), any fossil fuel generation would need a pretty high level of carbon capture and storage to count for the CEPP. A colleague has estimated that, with those upstream emissions included, coal or gas plants would need to capture and store at least 80 to 90 percent of their carbon dioxide emissions.
But the legislation needs to be clearer about those upstream emissions indeed being in the calculations. And the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) also has recommended other changes to make sure this section is as strong as it needs to be:
- explicitly excluding particular sources, such as municipal solid waste incineration and conventional natural gas generation;
- prorating performance grants for resources that meet the carbon intensity standard but are still above zero; and
- putting in place strong guardrails for bioenergy, hydroelectric, carbon capture and storage, and nuclear projects to address other environmental and fuel-cycle impacts.
Would all electric utilities be covered? Yes!
This one is maybe the most straightforward. The E&C language seems quite clear that all retail electricity providers, regardless of type or size, would be covered. That’s good news, because it means that all electricity customers would benefit from the transition to clean energy.
Stronger is better
So a strong performance by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, with a few things to strengthen and a lot worth defending as this piece continues through Congress.
And all this is in the context of maintaining the crucial top line $3.5-trillion number — and the boldness needed for a “rapid, just transition to clean energy.”
Be assured that UCS will continue to push for the reconciliation package as a whole — and you can, too, by contacting your members of Congress. And we also will continue to weigh in to make sure that the Clean Electricity Performance Program lives up to its full promise and becomes a powerful tool for our clean energy transition.
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Is the time finally coming? Will we see the electric Ford Bronco we’ve been waiting for? Is it a major rebranding? After deleting every post on its Instagram page, what is Ford up to?
Is Ford teasing an electric Bronco, a major rebrand?
The Bronco is a fan favorite and one of Ford’s top-selling nameplates, so why not an electric version? Well, that may not be a pipedream after all. Or, maybe we are just being hopeful.
Either way, Ford just cleared its entire Instagram page across multiple accounts. The Ford Bronco, Ford Electric, Ford Mustang, and Ford Trucks pages have all been wiped.
The accounts now have one sole story that shows the Ford logo, followed by its “Built Tough” branding, a Mustang logo, a Bronco logo, a Lightning bolt, and the side-eye emoji.
So, what exactly is Ford teasing? Most of the speculation on social media believes Ford is gearing up to introduce a major rebrand, which could include a new look for some of its top-selling models like the Bronco, Mustang, F-150 Lightning, and others.
On Monday, Ford introduced the new 2026 F-150 Lightning STX variant. The new trim replaces the current XLT model with added driving range and off-road capability, but the same starting MSRP.
Although the American automaker has delayed several major EV initiatives, including its three-row electric SUV, Ford is betting on its new low-cost platform for the future.
The automaker promises its new Ford Universal EV Platform will be key to unlocking more affordable, more efficient electric vehicles.
Ford’s team in California is led by former Tesla engineer Alan Clarke and filled with former Rivian, Lucid, and Apple employees. The company will use LFP batteries manufactured in Michigan with licensed tech from China’s CATL to lower costs.
Up first will be a midsize electric pickup that will start at around $30,000. It’s expected to arrive in 2027. However, the platform is designed to cover nearly all segments, including trucks, crossovers, SUVs, and possibly sedans.
Ford seems to be up to something big here. It’s not often an automaker wipes its entire social media account. Check back soon for the big news.
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Environment
EcoFlow power stations up to 62% off + bonus savings from $90, Anker SOLIX EverFrost 2 coolers start from $599 low, more
Headlining today’s Green Deals is EcoFlow’s Home Backup/Hurricane Preparedness Sale that is continuing the Labor Day savings going with up to 62% discounts, as well as bonus 5% and 7% savings. Among the lineup, we spotted the returning launch prices on EcoFlow’s new TRAIL series power stations at their lowest prices starting from $113. From there, we also have Anker’s three sizes of SOLIX EverFrost 2 Electric Coolers and bundles starting from a $599 low, as well as Vanpower’s City Vanture Urban Commuter e-bike dropping back to $799, and much more waiting for you below. Plus, there are all the hangover deals collected at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Power Station launch deals, the extra battery bundle on Rad Power’s RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike, and more.
Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
While its Labor Day event has ended, EcoFlow is still far from done offering discounts with its current Home Backup/Hurricane Preparedness Sale running through September 14. Among the lineup, we’ve spotted returning deals (and officially new lows) on the new TRAIL series of power stations, with the TRAIL 200 DC 60,000mAh Portable Power Station back at $113.05 shipped, after using the sitewide code 25EFDCAFF at checkout for an additional 5% taken off your order, while the TRAIL 300 DC 90,000mAh Portable Power Station is at $151.05 shipped, after using the same promo code. They’d normally fetch $200 and $250 at full price, which we saw brought down to these same rates during last month’s launch. This sale gives you another shot at the best prices we have tracked, saving you $87 and/or $99 off the respective models. Head below for more on these and the other offers we’re seeing during EcoFlow’s Home Backup sale.
A quick note on the bonus savings we’re seeing during EcoFlow’s Home Backup/Hurricane Preparedness Sale: while the brand is offering a 5% automatic discount on orders between $2,000 and $5,000, you can skip the pricing threshold by using the sitewide discount code 25EFDCAFF at checkout, while orders over $5,000 with benefit from an automatic 7% discount being applied in your cart. Not only that, but for the cost of 1,000 EcoCredits, you can unlock and spin the brand’s Lucky Draw Wheel twice for guaranteed gifts/savings.
The new TRAIL series of power stations gives you reliable backup within the brand’s most compact designs, which rival the Anker PowerCore Reserve/C200 DC/C300 DC stations, and ALLPOWERS’ new SOLAX P100 Mini power station. EcoFlow’s TRAIL 200 DC station only weighs four pounds and brings along a 60,000mAh LiFePO4 battery, while the TRAIL 300 DC counterpart is a little bigger at nearly six pounds with a 90,000mAh LiFePO4 battery.
The TRAIL 200 DC provides you with up to 220W of output power through its two 12W USB-A ports, a 140W USB-C port, and a 100W USB-C port. Obviously, you’ll be getting a bit more output of 300W from the TRAIL 300 DC, which sports the same USB-A layout, but with two 140W USB-C ports and a 120W car outlet. They’ve both been designed with extensive protection from overvoltage, overloading, temperature spiking, and more – plus they both feature built-in woven handles to carry them from. You can charge both via a standard wall outlet at up to 200W or 280W speeds, with the 300 DC bringing a 110W max solar input into the mix for solar charging.
***Note: The extra savings has not been factored into any of the prices below, so be sure to use the code 25EFDCAFF at checkout for an additional 5% off your order until your cart total reaches $2,000 or higher.
EcoFlow’s TRAIL series power station discounts:
EcoFlow’s new RAPID series power bank discounts:
EcoFlow’s member-only bundle deals:
- DELTA 3 Plus (1,024Wh) with 220W solar panel: $899 (Reg. $1,448)
- Two DELTA 3 (1,024Wh each) power stations: $1,049 (Reg. $1,398)
- DELTA 2 Max (2,048Wh) with two 220W panels and protective bag: $1,349 (Reg. $3,276)
- Two DELTA Pro Ultra Expansion Batteries: $4,399 (Reg. $6,598)
You can browse EcoFlow’s full Home Backup/Hurricane Preparedness Sale in our original coverage here, including the emergency and home backup deals, as well as add-on accessory savings.
Save up to $770 on Anker’s three SOLIX EverFrost 2 electric coolers/bundles starting from a new $599 low
As part of its Fan Fest Sale that will be running through September 21, Anker is offering some of the best prices yet on its SOLIX EverFrost 2 Portable Electric Coolers, with the newest 23L model dropping down to $599 shipped, which beats out Amazon’s pricing by $1. While the 40L and 58L models hit the market back in March, this smaller model was just recently released at the top of June and normally fetches $799 at full price. Discounts in the time since have mostly seen slight $50 cuts from the tag, though it did drop down to $600 twice in August with Prime-exclusive savings. The deal we’re seeing during this sale comes lower than ever as $200 is cut from the going rate, giving you the lowest price we have tracked. Head below for more on this series of coolers and to check out the full lineup of deals for them.
If you want to learn more about this cooler, as well as its 40L and 58L dual-zone counterparts, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.
Commute up to 50 miles on the 34-pound Vanpowers City Vanture urban commuter e-bike at $799
Vanpowers is offering a special promotion on its City Vanture Urban Commuter e-bike at $799 shipped, after using the code VANVIP in your cart for an additional $300 off. This e-bike would normally cost you $1,749 at full price, which is starting already down at $1,099, which is where most discounts this year have kept the costs. The extra $300 in savings, though, makes this deal all the better as it cuts a combined $950 off the tag for the best price we have tracked directly from the brand, landing as the second-lowest price behind a one-time exclusive deal from Wellbots back in January.
If you want to learn more about this lightweight commuter, be sure to check out our original coverage of this sale here.
For the rest of the day save $60 and bring 8-in-1 functionality to yard work with Worx’s Aerocart at $170
As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Worx Aerocart 8-in-1 Yard Cart at $169.99 shipped, with the price also matching over at Amazon. When it is at full price, you’ll often find it ranging between $200 and $230, with the discounts we’ve spotted this year mostly keeping things around $173, though we’ve been seeing more recent returns to $170 and the $169 low. While it may have gone lower in past years, today’s deal gives you a $60 price cut to the third-lowest price we have tracked in 2025 – just $1 above the annual low.
If you want to learn more about this yard cart’s capabilities, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.
Best Summer EV deals!
- Velotric Nomad 2X e-bike (camo) with DELTA 3 Plus station: $3,048 (Reg. $3,298)
- Velotric Nomad 2X e-bike (sage or fig) with DELTA 3 Plus station: $2,948 (Reg. $3,298)
- Aventon Ramblas Electric Mountain Bike: $2,599 (Reg. $2,899)
- Ride1Up Prodigy v2 Brose Mid-Drive Gates Belt CVT e-bike: $2,595 (Reg. $2,795)
- Ride1Up Revv 1 DRT Off-Road Moped-Style e-bike: $2,395 (Reg. $2,595)
- Ride1Up Revv 1 Full Suspension Moped-Style e-bike: $2,395 (Reg. $2,595)
- Segway Xafari Red e-bike: $2,000 (Reg. $2,400)
- Velotric Nomad 2 All-Terrain e-bike with $120 bundle (new): $1,999 (No price cut)
- Rad Power Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Rad Power Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 35Ah Cargo e-bike w/ up to $654 bundle: $1,999 (Reg. $2,653)
- Ride1Up Prodigy v2 Brose Mid-Drive 9-Speed e-bike: $1,995 (Reg. $2,495)
- Tenways AGO X All-Terrain e-bike with $307 bundle: $1,899 (Reg. $2,499)
- Velotric Fold 1 Plus e-bike (gray or white) with DELTA 2 station: $1,898 (Reg. $2,198)
- Velotric Fold 1 Plus e-bike (mango or blue) with DELTA 2 station: $1,828 (Reg. $2,198)
- Rad Power RadRunner Plus Cargo Utility e-bike with extra battery: $1,799 (No price cut)
- Aventon Abound SR Smart Cargo e-bike (new, first discount): $1,799 (Reg. $1,899)
- Lectric XP Trike2 750 Long-Range eTrike with $493 preorder bundle: $1,799 (Reg. $2,292)
- Velotric Breeze 1 Cruiser e-bike with $150 bundle (new, first discount): $1,699 (Reg. $1,799)
- Aventon Pace 4 Smart Cruiser e-bike (new, second-ever discount): $1,699 (Reg. $1,799)
- Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike (lowest price): $1,699 (Reg. $1,899)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $505 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,204)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Long-Range Off-Road e-bike with $434 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,133)
- Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike with extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
- Aventon Abound Cargo e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,999)
- Ride1Up VORSA Modular Multi-Use e-bike (first discount): $1,595 (Reg. $1,695)
- Rad Power RadRunner Cargo Utility e-bike with extra battery: $1,499 (No pirce cut)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Standard Off-Road e-bike with $227 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,726)
- Lectric XP Trike2 with $242 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,741)
- Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,799)
- Tenways CGO600 Pro e-bikes with $118 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Velotric Nomad 1 Plus All-Terrain e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Electric Bike Co. Model J e-bike (code LABOR150): $1,499 (Reg. $1,849)
- Electric Bike Co. Model C e-bike (code LABOR150): $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Aventon Aventure 2 All-Terrain e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,999)
- Aventon Sinch 2 Folding e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,699)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 13Ah Cargo e-bike with $326 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,725)
- Aventon Level 2 Commuter e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Ride1Up Roadster V3 Lightweight Premium e-bike: $1,395 (Reg. $1,495)
- Velotric T1 ST Plus Lightweight e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,649)
- Rad Power RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru Fat Tire e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,599)
- Lectric XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes with $336 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,665)
- Lectric XP4 750 LR Folding Utility e-bikes with $404 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,703)
- Heybike Mars 2.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike with extra battery: $1,199 (Reg. $1,848)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 JW Black LR e-bike with $316 bundle: $1,099 (Reg. $1,415)
- Ride1Up Portola Folding e-bike with BOGO accessory promo: $995 (Reg. $1,095)
- Lectric XP4 Standard Folding Utility e-bikes with $79 bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,078)
- Aventon Soltera 2.5 Lightweight Commuter e-bike (first discount): $999 (Reg. $1,199)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with up to $316 bundles: $999 (Reg. $1,315)
- Heybike Hauler Single-Battery Cargo e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,499)
- Rad Power RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,599)
Best new Green Deals landing this week
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
- Anker’s new SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 LiFePO4 power station arrives with launch discounts starting from $429 (Reg. $799)
- Haul precious cargo up to 90+ miles with Rad Power’s RadWagon 4 extra battery e-bike bundle at $1,599 ($2,248 value)
- EcoFlow’s latest 48-hour flash sale drops DELTA Pro 440W solar bundle to new $1,899 low (Reg. up to $4,997), more from $709
- Shape and clear weeds with EGO’s 56V cordless 15-inch trimmer and 670 CFM blower combo at $320 low (Reg. up to $410)
- Building decks, fences, and more can start with Greenworks’ 82V cordless earth auger at a new $326 low (Reg. $600)
- Electrified Weekly – Rad Power extra battery e-bike bundles from $1,499, exclusive and promotional new lows from EcoFlow, Anker, more
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Volkswagen has launched a new Black Package for the 2025 ID.4, which is actually quite cool-looking. The new design package adds a distinct new look, building on the upgrades Volkswagen introduced last year.
Volkswagen ID.4 gains sleek new Black Package
After it went back on sale earlier this year, the ID.4 jumped out to become one of the most popular electric vehicles in the US.
In January, it was the third-best-selling EV in the US, behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. However, since then, Volkswagen has reduced output at its assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., due to slower demand.
For the 2025 model year, Volkswagen is upping the ante with the new ID.4 Black Package. The new design package adds black mirror caps, door handles, badging, and 20″ black-painted aluminum-alloy wheels.
The Black Package is now available on the 2025 S and S Plus trims, starting at $45,095 for the 82 kWh battery ID.4 Pro variant.
VW said the majority of 2025 ID.4 models are available in five trims: two entry-level models (Pro, AWD Pro), two S variants (Pro S, AWD Pro S), and one S Plus model (AWD Pro S Plus). An 82 kWh battery powers all of them.
The base 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro RWD has a starting MSRP of $45,095 with up to 291 miles of driving range. All variants are assembled in Chattanooga and include a host of upgrades from the 2024 ID.4.
Volkswagen upgraded the electric SUV with more power and driving range, a revamped infotainment system, and new AI capabilities.
Since mid-April, all 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 models feature an updated software, which adds new features, including a door opening warning and improved seatbelt reminder. There’s also an optional Premium Speech feature with integrated AI, offering a more human-like voice assistant.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro RWD is currently the most affordable EV you can lease in the US, starting at just $129 per month. The offer is a 24-month lease with $2,499 due at signing.
Volkswagen is offering up to $12,350 in lease cash on select trims until the end of the month. Although some offers are regional, the ID.4 is still available for just $209 per month.
However, the generous ID.4 lease offer ends on September 30, when the federal $7,500 EV tax credit is also set to expire.
Looking to test drive the ID.4 for yourself? You can use our link to find Volkswagen ID.4 models in your area (trusted affiliate link).
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