U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) today announced he had reached a deal with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to vote for the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022—a budget reconciliation bill that is expected to include $369 billion in energy and climate investments. The announcement comes after months of negotiations to reach agreement on budget reconciliation legislation.

In response, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director Jason Walsh:

President Joe Biden today traveled to Somerset, MA to announce a number of climate change initiatives and tour a former coal-fired power plant that has been converted to manufacture products, including submarine power cables for use in offshore wind projects. It is estimated that 6,800 miles of cable will be needed to reach the administration’s goal of 30 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030.

During an interview today on Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval on the status of talks around a budget reconciliation bill, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) confirmed he was committed to continuing negotiations saying he “is not stopping.”

When done right, offshore wind power will create thousands of high-quality, family-sustaining jobs in manufacturing, construction, operations and maintenance, and in the development of port facilities, transmission, and other associated infrastructure. 

Maximizing the use of union labor for offshore wind development can ensure the best return on investment for taxpayers and support the administration’s equity goals—union households earn up to 20% more than nonunion households. Workers of color and workers with less formal education see even greater advantages. 

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today released the annual United States Energy and Employment Report (USEER). The report noted job growth in the renewable energy sector—particularly in the solar (5.4%) and wind (2.9%) industries. Additionally, jobs in  electric and hybrid vehicles grew by 25%. 

The Colorado BlueGreen Alliance Table worked together to ensure that quality climate solutions and licensed worker supports were the focus of a variety of bills this session. 

Leaders from the U.S. Departments of Interior, Energy, and Transportation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy, and governors from eleven East Coast states today gathered to announce the formation of a new Federal-State Offshore Wind Implementation Partnership.

In April, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released new guidance on the application of the Build America, Buy America (BABA) policy in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) signed by President Biden last year.

The largest office at EPA, OAR leads critical programs to address outdoor and indoor air quality, chemical accident prevention, pollution from vehicles, emissions that contribute to climate change, and radiation protection. In short, this office is vital to EPA’s mission to protect public health and secure a safe environment for workers and communities.

On June 6th, President Biden made waves among policy wonks and activists alike by invoking a Korean War-era law to revitalize manufacturing and take on the climate crisis. Citing authority under the Defense Production Act (DPA), the President gave a legal green light for the federal government to directly purchase five clean energy goods from U.S. manufacturers: solar panel parts, heat pumps, building insulation, green hydrogen inputs, and electric grid components.

Cleaning up abandoned mines is a great example of how America’s environmental challenges can also be economic opportunities. These abandoned mines pose a clear threat to the environment, public health and safety, and wildlife. Millions of Americans live less than a mile from an abandoned coal mine.