BlueGreen Alliance Applauds Breakthrough in Reconciliation Negotiations

Jul 27, 2022

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:

Interior Department Guidance for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funds for Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Will Ensure Good Jobs, Support Communities

Jul 26, 2022

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.

The Importance of State Work to Ensure Working People Thrive

Jul 26, 2022

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.

BlueGreen Alliance Responds to United State Postal Service Next Generation Delivery Vehicle Environmental Impact Study

Jul 25, 2022

In a letter, the BlueGreen Alliance focused on the opportunity the Next Generation Deliver Vehicle contract represents an opportunity to rebuild the largest non-defense federal fleet to advance climate progress, improve air quality in our neighborhoods, support workers & their communities, and model responsible procurement practices. The turnover of the aging fleet can also restore the independent agency’s financial stability in the long term through the significant total cost of ownership savings that come with electrification. 

Biden Massachusetts Visit Highlights Transformative Potential for Offshore Wind Supply Chain Development

Jul 20, 2022

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.

BlueGreen Alliance Lauds Postal Service’s Decision to Increase Electric Share of New Delivery Vehicle Fleet

Jul 20, 2022

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced today that at least 50% of its new vehicle fleet—the Next Generation Delivery Vehicles—will be electric. This decision represents a reversal of an earlier decision by USPS, which promised to electrify only a tiny percentage of the new fleet. The BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Policy Advisor Reem Rayef in response to the announcement.

BlueGreen Alliance Responds to Sen. Manchin’s Promise to Continue Negotiating Senate Jobs, Climate Reconciliation Bill

Jul 15, 2022

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.”

BlueGreen Alliance Responds to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Request for Information Relating to the Implementation of the Build America, Buy America Act

Jul 15, 2022

As the BABA provisions in the BIL come into effect and strengthen the Buy America requirements associated with federal investments, the positive market and employment effects of United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs will be further magnified by supporting U.S. manufacturing jobs. 

BlueGreen Alliance Comments on the U.S. Wind Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

Jul 08, 2022

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. 

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program: Recommendations for State EV Infrastructure Deployment Plans

Jul 07, 2022

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.

BGA Comments on Commercial Leasing for Wind Power Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Offshore Oregon

Jun 28, 2022

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 while also minimizing environmental impacts.

BlueGreen Alliance Comments on Commercial Leasing for Wind Power Development on the Central Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf

Jun 28, 2022

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.