Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) joined the League of Conservation Voters, Chispa TX, and Rewiring America to discuss implementation of the historic clean energy and climate justice investments from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The webinar connected state and local government officials, superintendents, and El Paso organizations including El Paso County, City of El Paso, City of Horizon, District 2, District 5, County Precinct 4, Socorro ISD, Fabens ISD, and Ysleta ISD with grants, loans, and other resources to support energy and environment policy that benefits all communities.
“As El Paso continues to experience record breaking heat, I am proud to have voted for both the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to ensure the federal government is putting the resources to transition to a clean energy future in the hands of communities like ours,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “The climate crisis is here, and I’m grateful organizations like the League of Conservation Voters for joining me in bringing awareness to El Paso’s local governments about the federal resources available to them.”
“We are thrilled to support the efforts of Representative Escobar to equitably implement the historic clean energy and climate investments in the Inflation Reduction Act for the communities that need them most,” said Art Terrazas, Government Affairs Advocate on Clean Energy and Climate Change at LCV. “We look forward to continuing to work with members of Congress and state, local, and tribal governments to tap into the money saving benefits in the affordable clean energy plan.”
“We are grateful for the work that Representative Escobar does in her district and we are honored to partner with her in bringing forward this valuable information on how our most impacted communities can benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Elida Castillo, Program Director for Chispa TX. “We hope local municipalities, school districts, and other small governments will leverage this funding to create the safe, healthy, and thriving communities we all deserve.
"Rewiring America is proud to partner with Representative Escobar in making sure that the families of Texas’ 16th Congressional District take full advantage of all the incentives the Inflation Reduction Act provides to enhance their largest investment—their homes,” said Noah Goldmann, Policy Analyst at Rewiring America. “The great news is the rebates and tax credits are for better machines: heat pumps that are three times more efficient than gas furnaces, induction stoves that are healthier, quicker, and easier to clean than gas stoves, electric vehicles that accelerate more quickly and need fewer repairs, and more.”
The IRA and BIL have jointly funded billions of dollars into communities to help combat the impacts of climate change.
Since the Inflation Reduction Act;
- The IRA has already created over 170,000 good paying and union jobs in clean energy manufacturing, and it is projected to create more than 1.5 million additional jobs over the next decade.
- The Rhodium Group estimated that the IRA could reduce U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 32%-42% below 2005 levels in 2030, compared to 24%-35% under previous policy without the IRA.
- The private sector has announced more than $110 billion in new clean energy manufacturing investments, including more than $70 billion in the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain and more than $10 billion in solar manufacturing.
- Public and private sector investments driven by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 1 billion tons in 2030.
- The Administration has already awarded over a billion dollars to help communities become more resilient and protect them from the disastrous impacts of climate change, including drought, heat, and extreme weather.
- American families are projected to save $27-38 billion on their electricity bills from 2022-2030 relative to a scenario without the Inflation Reduction Act, according to new data released by the Department of Energy.
Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law;
- Over $185 billion in funding and over 6,900 specific projects, reaching over 4,000 communities across all 50 states, D.C., and the territories.
- Launched 2,800 bridge repair and replacement projects across the country.
- Awarded funds for over 5,000 new clean transit and school buses.
- Approved state plans for water funding, EV charging networks and high-speed internet deployment.
- $55 billion to expand access to clean drinking water for households, businesses, schools, and childcare centers all across the country.
- $65 billion to help ensure that every American has access to reliable high-speed internet through a historic investment in broadband infrastructure deployment.
- The bill also helps lower prices for internet services.
- $39 billion of new investment to modernize transit, in addition to continuing the existing transit programs for five years as part of surface transportation reauthorization.
- $89.9 billion in guaranteed funding for public transit over the next five years — the largest Federal investment in public transit in history.
- $7.5 billion to build out a national network of EV chargers in the United States.
- This investment will support the President’s goal of building a nationwide network of 500,000 EV chargers to accelerate the adoption of EVs, reduce emissions, improve air quality, and create good-paying jobs across the country.
- More than $65 billion investment includes the largest investment in clean energy transmission and grid in American history.
- It funds new programs to support the development, demonstration, and deployment of cutting-edge clean energy technologies to accelerate our transition to a zero-emission economy.
$21 billion clean up Superfund and brownfield sites, reclaim abandoned mine land and cap orphaned oil and gas wells.
