Shaheen Continues “Affordability Action Tour,” Highlights Efforts to Lower Energy Costs, Support Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Initiatives

(Derry, NH) – Today, amid spiking energy costs due to President Trump’s war in Iran, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) continued her “Affordability Action Tour” with a visit to Brayton Energy in Hampton before celebrating New Hampshire Energy Week with a fireside chat moderated by Sam Evans-Brown with Clean Energy NH. The Senator’s visits are the first in a week-long series of events highlighting skyrocketing energy, health care and housing costs and Senator Shaheen’s efforts to address them. Shaheen first launched her “Affordability Action Tour” in August to hear firsthand from Granite Staters about what is needed to tackle the rising costs New Hampshire communities have faced throughout the second Trump Administration. Photos from today’s events can be found HERE . Shaheen began the day at Brayton Energy , a Granite State research and development firm focused on sustainable and efficient energy production. During her visit, Senator Shaheen toured the company’s facility and learned more about Brayton’s innovative clean energy research and development, that can lower costs and expand access to clean, affordable energy sources for communities across New Hampshire. Recently, the Trump Administration cancelled a $5 million U.S. Department of Energy grant awarded to Brayton that was meant to support innovative energy storage to enhance grid stability and help reduce industrial costs to strengthen manufacturing. In response, Senator Shaheen urged the Trump Administration to reinstate this funding to allow for further innovation in the Granite State. “As my constituents face spiking fuel and energy prices as a direct result of the President’s reckless war in Iran, now more than ever we must be investing in clean energy solutions that expand our energy supply and lower costs—yet this Administration has done just the opposite,” said Senator Shaheen . “It was great to see firsthand the innovative work Brayton is doing right here in the Granite State to develop clean energy solutions and combat the climate crisis that threatens communities across New Hampshire.” Later, Shaheen travelled to Derry to celebrate New Hampshire Energy Week and participate in a fireside chat, titled “From Progress to Possibility: The Next Era of Energy in New Hampshire.” The conversation, led by Clean Energy NH’s Executive Director Sam Evans-Brown, reflected on the Senator’s career and accomplishments in energy policy, from her time as Governor to her recent efforts in the Senate to pass landmark clean energy and energy efficiency legislation, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. “Continued innovation and deployment of clean energy solutions is essential as communities across our country confront historic energy demand and increasing prices. As has been made clear thanks to the Iran War, expanding clean energy is critical—not just for combatting climate change, but to shield Granite State economies from disruptions to global energy supply chains,” said Senator Shaheen . “We must do all we can to promote investment in energy efficiency and develop clean energy alternatives that provide real financial relief to families stretched thin by spiking fuel costs in our state.” Throughout her time in Congress, Senator Shaheen has fought hard for clean energy and energy efficiency investments that help Granite Staters save money on their utility bills. Shaheen was a key supporter of the Inflation Reduction Act and a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation that made landmark investments in energy efficiency and reducing home energy bills. In the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Shaheen helped secure $3.5 billion in additional funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program, including $18 million for New Hampshire. Shaheen has long championed the Weatherization Assistance Program to lower energy costs for low-income families in New Hampshire, as well as the State Energy Program, which assists states with the development of energy efficiency renewable projects. In December of last year, the New Hampshire delegation called on the Department of Energy to immediately release the remaining $9 million in funding for weatherization from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law . In addition, Shaheen led the delegation in opposing the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to terminate a $43 million grant for New Hampshire to support community solar and other solar projects that would reduce residents’ utility bills by 20% or more. ###