President Biden and Congress Respond to the Climate Crisis with Unprecedented Investment

“The White House released the framework for the Build Back Better Act today, which includes a transformational $555 billion investment to tackle the climate crisis. If passed by Congress, it will be the largest effort to combat climate change in American history.

“As the climate crisis poses a ‘code red’ threat to humanity, the Biden administration and Congress are responding with the largest-ever investment in climate action. This unprecedented down payment will improve the livelihoods of Americans around the country, by curbing harmful climate pollution, creating clean energy and manufacturing jobs, and building a safer, more equitable future for our children and grandchildren.

“The best available science shows that we need to reduce climate pollution sharply to avert the worst impacts of climate change. The framework announced today would generate essential progress toward achieving our national goal to reduce emissions 50-52% by 2030. It takes aim at climate pollution across the entire economy through critical investments in clean electricity and electric vehicles, energy-efficient buildings, clean technology manufacturing and supply chains in the U.S., and more resilient, climate-smart agriculture. It also includes significant investments to help better protect communities along our coasts and watersheds, particularly through natural infrastructure and other solutions to increase their resilience to growing climate threats.

“The clean energy investments in the Build Back Better Act framework will directly create and support jobs in all sectors of the economy — from manufacturing and construction to finance and conservation — in all 50 states. As the global clean energy transition accelerates, targeted incentives for U.S. supply chains and technologies, like batteries and solar, will boost our competitiveness in these emerging markets, while existing U.S. industries like steel, aluminum and cement, will gain new opportunities and markets for low-carbon products.

“The framework would also make critical advances for environmental justice. A new Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator program will invest in clean energy projects around the country and will deliver 40% of the benefits of those investments to systematically disadvantaged communities as part of the President’s Justice40 initiative. The framework will also fund port electrification, cleaner transit, buses and trucks and more to drive down hazardous air pollution that endangers the health and well-being of millions of Americans — especially low-income communities and communities of color. Grants to environmental justice communities, and funding for a 300,000 person Civilian Climate Corps that will employ a diverse workforce to conserve our lands and build community resilience are also key components of the framework.

“The Build Back Better Act framework announced today will help move the United States toward a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable future. Congress must act quickly to pass the Build Back Better Act and deliver results for the American people.”

• Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs