WASHINGTON, DC – The ONE Campaign applauds the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for favorably reporting the bipartisan Energize Africa Act yesterday. Introduced by Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-TN), and co-sponsored by Senators Coons (D-DE), Isakson (R-GA), Markey (D-MA), Johanns (R-NE), Cardin (D-MD) and Durbin (D-IL), the bill is a huge step forward in addressing the fact that 7 in 10 Africans are living without reliable access to electricity.

Tom Hart, US Executive Director of ONE, said:

We are thrilled the Senate Foreign Relations Committee came together to move this life-saving piece of legislation forward. Senators from both sides of the aisle worked together to craft a bill that – if signed into law – would help African countries provide energy access to 50 million people for the first time. We want to commend the leadership of Committee Chairman Menendez and Ranking Member Corker, as well as the bill’s co-sponsors. Today’s successful markup represents a critical step in addressing the cross-cutting issue of energy poverty in Africa.

Since the bill’s introduction on June 19, ONE members from across the country have sent thousands of messages of support into committee members urging their support for the legislation.

Without electricity, water pumps that provide clean water can’t operate efficiently, kids don’t have a safe source of light under which to study at night, the ability to irrigate crops or preserve fresh food is severely compromised, and vaccines can’t be refrigerated. Helping to bring modern energy access to the people of sub-Saharan Africa will save lives, boost education, alleviate extreme poverty, and accelerate growth.

By 2020, the Energize Africa Act will help 50 million people gain access to reliable electricity by utilizing a number of mechanisms, including:

• Requiring the White House to develop a comprehensive multiyear strategy to assist countries in sub-Saharan Africa to implement country-led power strategies;
• Requiring USAID, OPIC and US African Development Foundation to prioritize assistance for power projects; and
• Creating pilot programs and expedited procedures to finance electricity projects.