Today, the U.S. Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act. After the vote, Earthjustice President Abigail Dillen issued the following statement:

“Today the Senate brought us one big step closer to landmark investments in climate solutions and community resilience that are urgently needed to address the climate crisis.

“The bill includes unprecedented funding for renewable energy production and storage, electrification of heavy-duty and passenger vehicles, building electrification, appliance efficiency, domestic manufacturing of clean technologies, climate-friendly farming, and forest conservation, among other essential priorities.

“It provides billions of dollars to communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change through investments in air monitoring, clean ports, coastal resilience, green financing, community solar, environmental and climate justice block grants for community-led solutions, robust funding for Superfund and environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act, and assistance with energy and water bills.

“Without these investments now, it is hard to see how the U.S. can meet imperative climate targets and exert global climate leadership. If passed, this bill will provide the building blocks for a new, clean energy economy that can ultimately make fossil fuels obsolete.

“At the same time, we know this bill includes egregious fossil fuels concessions. From mandatory lease sales to carbon capture tax subsidies, these harmful provisions threaten to entrench fossil fuel interests and perpetuate toxic pollution and ecosystem destruction in communities across the country, especially on the Gulf Coast and in Appalachia and Alaska. Earthjustice will redouble our efforts to fight alongside our clients and partners to block a new wave of fossil extraction and pollution, and we will do everything in our power to defend NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) protections and help deploy new funding to claw back this bill’s gifts to the fossil fuels industry.

“Averting the worst of the climate crisis requires a whole-of-government approach, and this legislation is just the beginning. We urge the House of Representatives to quickly pass the Inflation Reduction Act and send it to President Biden for his signature. We also call on the White House to move forward as quickly as possible with the full suite of ambitious executive actions that can achieve needed emissions reductions and support the communities most in need of relief from our country’s fossil fuels addition.”