The United States Climate Alliance (USCA), in partnership with the BlueGreen Alliance, released the Just and Equitable Transition State Policy Framework and an accompanying Resource Guide to assist policymakers as they create legislation for the United States’ transition to cleaner, cheaper sources of energy.

The strengthened and newly established tax credits for clean energy in the Inflation Reduction Act will not only help drastically reduce emissions, but provide high-quality jobs in the clean economy.

The Inflation Reduction Act makes historic investments to expand clean energy and electric vehicle manufacturing, and to transform the industrial sector to reduce emissions and enhance competitiveness. These investments will be a game-changer in boosting clean manufacturing in the U.S. 

We’re celebrating the clean vehicle policies and programs established and funded in the Inflation Reduction Act, which applies a whole-of-government approach to addressing this source of greenhouse gas and health-harming emissions, while also creating and preserving good union jobs, supporting and growing a domestic supply chain for vehicle components and technologies, and improving mobility and air quality in our neighborhoods. 

This past week, the California Energy Commission (CEC) released a report establishing offshore wind goals. Newly adopted goals plan for 3,000-5,000 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind energy by 2030 and increase that projection to 25,000 MW by 2045. The report estimates that this will be enough electricity to power up to 25 million homes. 

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 Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst today released new data revealing the job creation potential of the more than 100 climate, energy, and environmental programs included in the Inflation Reduction Act.

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.

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.

Sometimes it’s easy for the dysfunction on Capitol Hill to become overwhelming, overshadowing important work being done every day in communities across the nation to ensure that working families and people have what they need to thrive.

Establishing a safe and reliable nationwide network of EV chargers will require mass mobilization of, and investment in, the workers who will build, install, and maintain the EV chargers. With federal funds allocated from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, states have a unique opportunity to fund new green technology in communities but also ensure a skilled and localized workforce for the safe and effective construction of EV charging infrastructure.