The Build Back Better Act is a Bridge to the Future We Need. Senator Manchin, Don’t Blow It Up!
Originally published by Union of Concerned Scientists, The Equation.
By Rachel Cleetus
In the last week, Senator Manchin (D-WV) has become increasingly public with his opposition to the Clean Electricity Performance Program (CEPP), a policy designed to drive down power sector carbon emissions which is part of the reconciliation bill under consideration in Congress. With the vote margins so slim in Congress, his stance significantly jeopardizes the chances that this vital policy will survive the legislative process. At a time when the devastating, costly, and inequitable impacts of climate change around the nation — including worsening flooding in West Virginia — could not be clearer, it is deeply disturbing to see the Senator actively undermining policies that would help drive down heat-trapping emissions and protect people.
The budget reconciliation package for the Build Back Better Act, which was approved by House committees in September, marked a massive turning point in how the United States aims to address climate change, prioritize environmental justice, and create good paying jobs for working people. The package also addresses long-standing social and economic needs — including healthcare, education, elder care, and childcare. And if the climate and clean energy provisions in the package stay robust and fully funded, they would also put the nation firmly on the path to cutting emissions in half by 2030, a goal the Biden administration has committed to as part of the U.S. contribution to global efforts to limit climate change.
Simply put, the reconciliation bill is a much needed and long overdue investment in the well-being of our people and the future of our country.
But now, thanks to the intransigence of Senator Manchin, a key provision to help reduce emissions — the Clean Electricity Performance Program — is at risk of being removed from the package, and no clear alternative to cut power sector emissions has been put forth in its place. Given that the Senator does acknowledge climate change is real, this is hard to understand.
Even more egregiously, the Senator is now claiming that the nation’s clean energy transformation has already been achieved! That is simply untrue. Our nation still gets about 60 percent of its power from fossil fuels and the EIA forecasts that after declining by 19 percent in 2020 due to the pandemic-related economic crisis, coal-related carbon dioxide emissions will rise by 20 percent in 2021. Meanwhile, we need to sharply bend that emissions curve, cutting U.S. heat-trapping emissions at least in half and getting to an 80 percent clean power sector by 2030. Analysis by UCS and others shows that this goal is within reach — but we need to implement strong policies to get going right away.
Further, the overall scale of the reconciliation bill is also under attack, meaning that all of its valuable provisions — including climate and environmental justice priorities — are under threat of being cut out or severely down-scaled. Given the magnitude and severity of the crises of climate change, economic inequality, and environmental injustice our nation faces, all colliding with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this is no time for Congress to shortchange the legitimate and pressing needs of people while indulging in corporate welfare to benefit the rich and powerful.
What’s all too clear from the latest developments is that the power of the fossil fuel lobby to block progress on climate action still reigns strong in Congress. Senator Manchin’s financial stake in the coal industry is well documented. His seeking to cut the CEPP calls into question whether he is prioritizing and protecting fossil fuel industry interests — which include his own — over his constituents’.
He is not alone. Senator Sinema (D-AZ) is also seeking to sharply reduce the investments in the reconciliation bill, and she has very recently held fundraisers with major industry groups opposed to provisions in the Build Back Better agenda.
And let’s not forget that every single Republican in Congress has failed to support the reconciliation bill (or any other serious policy to address climate change for that matter). What a shameful situation for these policymakers to abdicate their responsibilities as elected officials even as climate change, economic inequity, and environmental injustices strike at the hearts of communities all over the country in both red and blue states!
At this pivotal moment, when our ambitions to protect future generations from the ravages of climate change hang in the balance, let us speak plainly about what these members of Congress are doing: they are putting their narrow self-interests and the interests of the fossil fuel industry above that of their constituents. They are squandering the precious little time we have, the narrow window we have left to avert a climate catastrophe, on business-as-usual politics.
Knowing full well the devastating wildfires, heatwaves, drought, intensifying storms and flooding that the country has experienced this year — the 18 billion dollar-plus extreme weather and climate-related disasters so far this year that took 538 lives–these members of Congress choose to protect the fossil fuel industry.
Knowing full well the extreme rainfall and devastating floods that are becoming increasingly commonplace in West Virginia, and the extreme heat, drought and wildfires affecting the people of Arizona, Senators Manchin and Sinema aren’t willing to invest what’s necessary to secure a clean energy future and are thus enabling the status quo.
Knowing full well that hard-working coal miners and their communities — who have helped keep the lights on for generations — deserve investments that can help them create a prosperous and healthy future in West Virginia, Senator Manchin is seeking sharp cuts in the bill that would affect investments vital to West Virginians, including investments in social safety net programs, infrastructure, and clean energy, while protecting his financial stake in coal.
Knowing full well that fossil fuels are dirty and polluting and impose an outsize health burden on Black, Brown, Indigenous and low-income communities, these members of Congress choose to prolong that burden to prolong fossil fuel profits.
Knowing full well that in this consequential decade we must make a sharp turn away from fossil fuels to have a fighting chance of leaving our children and grandchildren a livable planet, these members of Congress choose to rely on funding from the fossil fuel industry to secure their next term in office.
Knowing full well that the U.S. stands to lose coastal properties by the millions; be exposed to dangerous summer heat unsafe for outdoor work and play; that our cities, vital infrastructure, and lives will be upended by worsening storms, floods, and fires; and that we will lose invaluable species and ecosystems, they choose to let emissions from the fossil fuel industry continue to rise.
Knowing full well that a just and equitable transition to clean energy would also be a boon for public health, job creation, and the economy, they choose to let the fossil fuel industry dictate our future.
That choice they are making is unconscionable. That choice is gravely consequential for young people around the world, today and in the future. We can have a thriving, equitable, clean, and climate-resilient economy if we are courageous enough to seize this momentous opportunity today.
Senators Manchin and Sinema, Republican members of Congress, what do you want your legacy to be? Will you be among those willing to stand up for a bold vision of a future that is clean and just, with benefits for all communities? Will you stand behind the scale of investments necessary to secure that future?
We will continue to fight alongside a diverse and powerful movement for all the incredibly important components of the reconciliation bill that are vital for our nation’s prosperity, especially those that ensure just and equitable climate action. And we urge members of Congress and the Biden administration to stop allowing fossil fuel politics to win the day when so much is at stake for our children and grandchildren.
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The feces-filled freight train of dystopian horrors rolls on with the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill and the untimely demise of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. But if you’re ready to pull the trigger on a new EV this month, you’re in luck! There are plenty of great options with zero interest financing to choose from … and one with zero interest in general.
You know how we usually do these lists – some pictures, a few punchy paragraphs, and an invitation to explore local deals.
We’re doing things a little differently this month. Instead of brief write-ups, we’re highlighting the most significant 0% deal of the month (yes, that is largely opinion-based – thanks for noticing), and an “honorable mention” that doesn’t quite fit the 0% EV deal template … but might still be worth checking out.
Enough talk! Here are the deals.
Most significant new 0% offer
Demand for Tesla Cybertrucks has been a long, long way from the “conservative” 250,000 per year projections Elon was making just a few years ago. Demand for the low-poly electric pickup is so dismal, in fact, that Tesla is offering 0% financing on a new Cybertruck for up to 60 months – if you’re willing to spring for the company’s Full Self Driving (Supervised) level 2 ADAS.
Not quite a 0% EV deal
Don’t act surprised – my Twitter handle is VolvoJo, after all, and I’m on my fifth consecutive long-roof Swede as I type this. As such, when trying out a new format for this monthly column it made perfect sense to check out the Ironmark’s offers … and I found a good one: a new, not perfect but getting there seven-passenger EX90 at 1.99% financing plus $1,000 in “Summer Safety Bonus Cash.”
Is zero interest financing good enough to overcome the fact that most people seem to have zero interest in buying a CT these days? Is the Volvo worth a look at 1.99% with an additional $1,000 cash back? Let us know your take in the comments – but before you do that, check out the full list of 0% interest EV deals for July 2025 and click the links for additional local deals.
July 0% interest EV deals
Disclaimer: the vehicle models and financing deals above were sourced from CarsDirect, CarEdge, and (where mentioned) the OEM websites – and were current as of 07JUL2025. These deals may not be available in every market, with every discount, or for every buyer (the standard “with approved credit” fine print should be considered implied).
Check with your local dealer(s) for more information.
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The new Lectric XP Trike2, just unveiled today, is the hands-down winner in the best-bang-for-your-buck category of electric trikes. And as perhaps the longest-running electric bike reviewer in the industry, I can say that with confidence. I’ve seen a lot of electric bikes in my time. I’ve spent a lot of butt-in-saddle hours on e-trikes. But I’ve never before seen a value like this roll by on three wheels.
As an able-bodied, mid-30s electric bike rider (and writer), I’ll be the first to say that electric trikes aren’t just for older folks. They’re fun e-bikes in their own right. But let’s face it – the vast majority of the market for electric three-wheelers are those who just aren’t as comfortable on two wheels due to age, accessibility, or other reasons. And so if you’re a senior or otherwise on the hunt for a fun and affordable electric trike, the Lectric XP Trike2 is probably the one you’re going to end up getting, and deservingly so!
If you don’t know Lectric eBikes, they’re the Phoenix-based e-bike company that took the US by storm in the early 2020s, quickly growing into the #1 best-selling e-bike company on the continent. They started with the ultra affordable, high-value XP line of e-bikes, and then took that same recipe to other types of e-bikes, from cargo bikes to off-roaders, and now to trikes.
The new XP Trike2 is the latest generation of their best-selling e-trike, and it’s absolutely better than ever.
First of all though, let’s look at what stayed the same. The ultra-affordable price of $1,499 remains untouched, keeping this not only one of the best e-trikes on the market, but also the most affordable. It also keeps the low step-over height for easy mounts and dismounts, the folding frame to help riders transport it more easily, and the powerful motor that makes it a great hill climber.
Other than those features, basically everything else has received an upgrade.
First of all, we now get included suspension with a 50mm suspension fork up front. The frame has been redesigned with a new hydroformed aluminum downtube and a more stable footprint. The stem angle has been modified to make it more comfortable and allow a more upright, relaxed riding posture. A more powerful and longer-range version of the Trike2 is also available, upgrading the motor with 50% more power for even better hill climbing, as well as including a torque sensor for more responsive pedaling and a longer-range battery.
The included TFT color screen is a major upgrade over the older model, and there are even six new colors to choose from, which is a major improvement over the original XP Trike’s color option list of… one.
Base model versus the long-range upgrade
Both the base model (Lectric XP Trike2 500) and the higher-spec option (XP Trike2 750) are compelling options, but they’ll likely serve different types of riders.
Even the base model comes with a reasonably large 13 Ah (624 Wh) battery, which is already going to give most riders at least 30 miles of range (or a claimed 50 miles if using low power pedal assist and riding slower). Plus, the 500W motor is actually much more powerful, likely peaking at closer to 1,000W of actual power. That’s the “oomph” that riders will feel when climbing hills. And for many folks, that’s plenty. Plus, the $1,499 price of the XP Trike2 500 is quite attractive.
But riders who want to upgrade to the XP Trike2 750, the higher price of $1,799 does come with some nice upgrades. First of all, the higher power 750W motor will be that much better at climbing hills, helping riders up steeper inclines, or just maintaining higher speeds up the same slopes. Next, the larger 17.5 Ah (840 Wh) battery is going to give more range, to the tune of nearly 50 miles with mixed riding (or the claimed 70 miles if using lower power pedal assist and staying off the throttle). The other benefit of a bigger battery is that it simply doesn’t need to be charged as often. Even if you’re riding around at 10 mph for an hour each day, that’s a week of riding before you have to think about recharging the battery.
The last significant upgrade on the 750W model is a torque sensor, which is a more refined pedal assist sensor that results in a more natural feeling ride when pedaling. For riders who only use the throttle, there’s not much benefit to a torque sensor. But for anyone who actually wants to pedal along and get a bit of fitness in, the torque sensor means the acceleration and the riding just better mimic the natural feel of bicycle pedaling, making it more like real pedaling – albeit if you had the legs and muscle definition of a professional cyclist.
All of this is to say: The base model with 500W of power is likely sufficient for most riders, but that extra $300 does offer better hill climbing, more power, longer range, and a nicer pedaling experience – which may be important for some riders.
Lectric may have announced the XP Trike2 today, but they aren’t quite ready to ship. In something of a throwback to Lectric’s early days, the bikes are available on pre-order. Orders placed now get priority, with the 500W model shipping later this month (July 2025). The 750W models will take a bit longer, with current orders expected to ship by September.
It’s a bit of a delayed gratification situation, but if the XP Trike2 is anything like the original (and it looks to be even better), then these bikes are absolutely going to be worth the wait!
Electrek’s Take
Once again, Lectric has left all the other e-bike makers fighting over second place. My hat is off to the company – time and again they have surprised us with increasingly better e-bike generations at increasingly the same price. Each time they roll out a bike, they give us more and more, all without touching the price tag.
The XP Trike2 follows that strategy perfectly, though it definitely looks like they’re hoping the XP Trike2 750 will bring slightly fatter margins – perhaps making up for just how ridiculously affordable the XP Trike2 500 is. And while I think the lower power model will be sufficient for most people, that bigger battery, beefier motor, and nicer torque sensor do sound like a tempting upgrade.
I haven’t ridden the XP Trike2 yet, but I will be on it soon and I can’t wait to share the experience with you guys. In the meantime, let’s hear what you think about the new e-trike in the comment section below!
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Japanese equipment giant Kubota brought 22 new or updated machines to the 2025 bauma expo earlier this year, but tucked away in the corners was a new retrofit kit that can help existing customers decarbonize more quickly, and more affordably.
No matter how badly a fleet may want to electrify, harsh economic realities and the greater up-front costs typically associated with battery electric remain high hurdles to overcome, but new retrofit options from major manufacturers are popping up to help lower those obstacles.
The latest equipment maker to put its name on the retrofit list is Kubota, who says its kit can be installed by a trained dealer in a single day.
That’s right! By this time tomorrow, your diesel-powered Kubota KX019 or U27-4 excavator (shown) could be fitted with an 18 or 20 kWh li-ion battery pack and electric drive motors and ready to get to work in a low-noise or low-vibration work environment where emissions are a strict no-no. Think indoor precision demolition or historic archeological excavation.
Then, if necessary, it can go right back to diesel power.
From diesel to electric and back again
If that sounds familiar, that’s because we’ve talked about a similarly flexible power solution from ZQUIP. The battery packs and diesel engines are much larger in that application, but the basic sales pitch remains the same: electric when it benefits your operation, diesel it doesn’t.
Kubota says its modular retrofit kits is a response to the increasing global demand for sustainable alternatives by focusing on making machinery that’s flexible and repairable enough to be “reusable,” and offer construction fleet managers a longer operational lifespan, superior ROI (return on investment), and lower TCO (total cost of ownership) than the competition.
Kubota’s solution also notably reduces maintenance costs and operational overheads. With no engine and associated components, servicing time and expenses are considerably reduced, saving customers both time and money. Additionally, with electricity costing far less than fossil fuels, it offers a highly economical advantage.
International Rental News reports that other changes to the excavators include a more modern cab controls with a digital instrument cluster, a 60 mm wider undercarriage for more stability, and an independent travel circuit allows operators to use the boom, dipper, bucket, and auxiliary functions without an impact on tracking performance.
Kubota’s new kit, first shown at last year’s Hillhead exhibition in the UK, will officially be on sale this summer – any day now, in fact – though pricing has yet to be announced.
Electrek’s Take
If you’re wondering how it is that we’re still talking about bauma 2025 a full quarter after the show wrapped up, then I haven’t done a good enough job of explaining how positively massive the show was. Check out this Quick Charge episode (above) then let us know what you think of Kubota’s modular power kits in the comments.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Kubota, via International Rental News.
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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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