CONTACT: Sarah Hersh-Walker, sarah@fcpcommunications.com, 510-759-2921
SACRAMENTO, CA – California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) today issued the following statement in response to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Joe Manchin’s announcement of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This bill will reportedly reduce carbon emissions by close to 40 percent by 2030.
Statement from Mike Young, Political & Organizing Director, EnviroVoters:
“We are excited to see that hope for significant federal action on climate is back on the table. This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to make a substantial down payment in solving the greatest challenge of our time. Getting to this point is a testament to the diverse coalition, including labor, environmental justice advocates, young people and congressional staffers relentlessly fighting for climate action, environmental justice, and good paying jobs.
“The Inflation Reduction Act includes a historic investment of $369 billion over ten years to tackle climate and will doubtlessly make a huge impact in meeting President Biden’s climate goals. We wouldn’t be here without the steadfast leadership of climate champions in Congress who push their colleagues to act on climate, clean energy, and environmental justice day in and day out.
“But make no mistake, the bill also includes some disappointing and unnecessary giveaways to Big Oil and it is not enough by itself to tackle the climate crisis at the rate and scale we need. Passing this bill is a vital step to meeting our challenge, but then we must continue to do more. This includes ensuring that communities that have historically been hardest hit by environmental injustices and the climate crisis are the primary beneficiaries of these federal funds.
“This is just the start of what we must accomplish in order to address the devastating impacts of climate change. Let’s get it done.”
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ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.
