The new report from the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst estimates that the combined investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Inflation Reduction Act, and CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS) will support nearly 3 million jobs per year and 19 million job-years over their lifetime.

Last year, fueled by a desire to buck the status quo that has chipped away at workers’ health, safety, and rights for too long, the BlueGreen Alliance advocated tirelessly for a historic climate and jobs bill. We called for a bill based on the core tenet that the clean economy should work for working people, while protecting the environment and people’s health. It should also create good-paying, accessible jobs for all.

Just one year after being signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act is helping to build a clean economy that does all that. If it is implemented correctly and the jobs created are good, safe, union jobs for all workers.

Our newest map highlights the opportunity for strong equity and labor standards to equip hard-hit communities to translate the investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act into higher-paying jobs, cleaner air, improved health, and stronger local economies.

 The Oregon State Senate today approved a transformative “Buy America” bill (HB 3332), which will retool the state’s procurement practices and greater align state buying power with current robust federal domestic standards.

The BlueGreen Alliance today celebrated the the Buy Clean Buy Fair Minnesota Act becoming law. The components of the bill were included two omnibus bills signed by Gov. Tim Walz.

The Washington BlueGreen Alliance took on its largest, most diverse advocacy effort yet for the 2023 Legislative Session. One of the principal themes in our agenda was the importance of developing the net-zero workforce that Washington will need to meet our state’s clean energy goals. The following bills—all of which passed the State Legislature this year—represent progress towards that goal in one of three ways.

After concrete and cement, steel is one of the most commonly used materials in the world. With applications from construction and infrastructure to transportation and manufacturing, its necessity in modern society is unmistakable. BUT—there’s always a but—making steel is energy and carbon intensive. Without action, emissions from steelmaking are going to be a bigger problem. Until recently, no mechanism existed to incentivize or reward U.S. manufacturers for producing some of the cleanest steel in the world. Enter BUY CLEAN!

Governor Jay Inslee yesterday signed the Climate-Ready Communities Act, legislation that establishes the Washington Climate Corps Network. The Washington Climate Corps Network will identify and grow climate-related service opportunities for young adults and veterans. People participating in the program will help create clean energy, low-carbon, climate-resilient communities around the state.

The road to net-zero emissions requires rapid acceleration of clean energy technology and low-carbon materials production. The Evergreen State is well-positioned to lead this clean manufacturing revolution and grow a new generation of high-road jobs. Washington is already home to world-class production facilities for materials like steel rebar and aluminum plate, and its strong climate commitments and highly-skilled manufacturing workforce are two cornerstones of a robust low-carbon industrial economy.

This guide supports states seeking to maximize the employment and economic benefits that can accompany EV charging infrastructure provisions in the BIL and Inflation Reduction Act. 

The Washington State Legislature delivered the Washington Clean Manufacturing Leadership Act (2SSB 5269) to Governor Inslee’s desk, where it awaits his signature. 2SSB 5269 creates a statewide industrial strategy to strengthen Washington’s existing manufacturing base. The bill harnesses the more than $50 billion in industrial transformation investments in the Inflation Reduction Act to build a robust, low-carbon manufacturing economy in Washington State.

Today, BlueGreen Alliance and Third Way hosted a summit at the Hamilton Live to discuss the future of Buy Clean and industrial policy and the importance of worker-centered policies. Policies that will not only help create a more affordable, reliable, and secure clean economy, but will create good-paying jobs for middle-class families in every American community.