President Joe Biden today signed the Inflation Reduction Act, a budget reconciliation bill that includes $369 billion in energy and climate investments and will create an estimated 9 million jobs over 10 years. Additionally, the bill will reduce emissions by up to 44% by 2030 and invest in economic justice programs.

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Inflation Reduction Act, a budget reconciliation bill that includes $369 billion in energy and climate investments and will create an estimated 9 million jobs over 10 years. Additionally, the bill will reduce emissions by 40% by 2030, support economic and racial justice programs, and create good-paying, union jobs across the nation. With today’s vote, the bill will be sent to the president’s desk to be signed into law. 

Following the vote, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director Jason Walsh.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is a robust package to revitalize U.S. manufacturing and grow clean energy around the country, invest in economic and racial justice programs, and support and create the good-paying, union jobs we need to give all workers the opportunity for a middle-class life.

The Title XVII Innovative Technologies Loan Guarantee Program is a critical opportunity to improve the deployment of clean technologies that are vital to meeting our climate goals while providing high-quality jobs in construction, operations and maintenance, and manufacturing.

Offshore wind energy presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to contribute to this mission if developed responsibly with high road labor standards, a domestic supply chain, equitable community benefits, and environmental protection that avoids, minimizes, and mitigates impacts to wildlife, ecosystems, and natural resources at each phase of development.

New guidance from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) will help determine how states spend $11.3 billion of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to clean up abandoned mine lands.

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.”

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. 

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.

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.

Governor Jared Polis signed the Fund Just Transition Community and Worker Supports bill, allocating funds for just transition programs throughout coal communities in Colorado.

Gov. Jared Polis is expected to sign SB22-051, Policies To Reduce Emissions From Built Environment. The bill establishes a tax incentive for the installation of heat pumps in buildings and includes provisions requiring that certified contractors complete larger-scale projects. Additionally, a Buy Clean incentive, which encourages the use of building materials produced with lower emissions, will start in July 2024.