Metro Councilor Christine Lewis and Wilsonville Mayor Julie Fitzgerald joined climate advocates to call on U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader to follow through on his commitment to vote for the Build Back Better Act (BBBA). Speakers urged Congress to tackle the climate crisis and pass a budget that meets the climate test by setting the United States on a path to a 50-52% reduction in carbon pollution by 2030.

As the U.S. House of Representatives nears a vote on the Build Back Better Act, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) joined the BlueGreen Alliance, Ohio AFL-CIO, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Policy Matters Ohio, and NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) for a virtual press briefing on the need to pass the bill.

President Biden today signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) into law, one piece of the president’s agenda to build back better, which includes investments to repair and modernize America’s surface transportation systems and funding to reclaim abandoned mine lands. 

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announced at COP26 in Glasgow the formation of a new regional task force to reduce embodied carbon in construction materials. In order to ensure our state leads this important work, the BlueGreen Alliance looks forward to engaging with the Governor’s office to advance these policies here at home. Washington is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for low-carbon materials and create a new generation of high-road manufacturing careers.

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), one piece of the president’s agenda to build back better that includes investments to repair and modernize America’s surface transportation systems and funding to reclaim abandoned mine lands. Following the passage of the bill, the BlueGreen Alliance released a statement from Executive Director Jason Walsh. 

The Biden administration today released a whole-of-government strategy to cut methane emissions. The strategy acknowledges the impact of methane emissions on climate change and on the health and safety of local communities and lays out a sector-by-sector roadmap to address these impacts while reducing emissions.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released its methane rule for new oil and gas facilities. The rule will prevent unnecessary and harmful methane leaks from the oil and gas industry.

As a coalition of the nation’s largest labor unions and environmental groups, collectively representing millions of members and supporters, the BlueGreen Alliance writes in full support of the nomination of Laura Daniel Davis as Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the Department of the Interior.

Recent reporting on the potential Build Back Better deal has indicated that investments in America’s industrial sector to reduce emissions will be included in the package.

The BlueGreen Alliance today was joined by keynote speaker U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) for a virtual panel discussion on how the Build Back Better plan will help to revitalize American manufacturing and provide benefits to working families and manufacturing communities nationwide. 

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the BlueGreen Alliance today were joined by officials from the Eau Claire City Council; La Crosse County Board; Wisconsin Conservation Voters; the United Association Union of Plumbers, Pipefitters, Welders, and Service Techs (UA); and Wisconsin Environment for a virtual press briefing on the need for federal investment to ensure all Wisconsinites have access to clean drinking water.

Serious action to address climate change and strengthen the U.S. economy for all requires substantial investment in rebuilding our manufacturing sector in ways that will deeply reduce emissions while building domestic supply chains and creating and protecting good jobs for workers and communities across the nation.