In response to the Senate’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), Evergreen Action Executive Director Jamal Raad released the following statement:

“This is a historic moment for climate action, and a turning point in American climate policy. Today, the Senate passed the largest climate investment in history -- by far. This is the end of a decades-long road to pass a climate bill, but it's only the beginning of the road towards achieving the greenhouse gas pollution reductions that science demands and building a better future for us all.

“The IRA’s investments in climate and clean energy are unprecedented. Through hundreds of billions of dollars in federal investment, we will create millions of new good-paying jobs, combat rising energy costs, cut pollution in communities, and supercharge our transition to a thriving 100% clean energy economy. But amidst all the good in this bill, we must also acknowledge that it is a compromise. It leaves many of our most vulnerable communities behind, with handouts to corporate polluters that will continue harming the people who have already borne the highest burden of fossil fuel pollution and the climate crisis. 

“We must keep fighting to ensure every investment in this bill is deployed to move us further, faster towards a pollution free future. In addition to these investments, President Biden must act aggressively with every executive authority at his disposal to deliver on his commitment of environmental justice for vulnerable communities and to meet his climate targets. And states must continue to lead, and accelerate their leadership, for climate, jobs and justice.

“It is with great hope for what may come from these investments that we express our gratitude to Majority Leader Schumer, Senate Democrats, the Congressional staffers, and all of the advocates who fought long and hard to make this bill a reality. We urge the House to swiftly pass the IRA and move it to President Biden’s desk for signature without delay. By enacting the IRA into law, Congress will be cementing the largest climate investment in our nation’s history. With it, we can set a new path for climate action. We look forward to getting to work.”  

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