Majority Leader Schumer Statement On Historic Investments To Expand Clean Energy And Climate Solutions

New York, N.Y. – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today released the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s historic investments to expand clean energy and climate solutions, lower energy costs, and create jobs all across the country, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act:

“The investments Democrats made are paying off for the American people. By providing $20 billion that will flow to tens of thousands of green and climate friendly projects across the country, today’s historic announcement, made possible by our Inflation Reduction Act, is ushering in the clean energy revolution. I am especially proud that EPA has secured commitments from today’s awardees that over 70 percent of the capital – over $14 billion – will go to low-income and disadvantaged communities. These investments mean cleaner communities, lower energy costs, and jobs, jobs, jobs. I’m proud of this bold investment in communities across America and New York and confident today’s announcement will have positive reverberations for generations to come.

“For decades – low-income and disadvantaged communities have been disproportionally affected by climate change and environmental disasters. Now, we are pairing public dollars with private investment – mobilizing almost $7 of private capital for every $1 of federal funding with these populations in mind – to create good-paying union jobs, rid communities of pollution, and lower the cost of energy. Americans are already feeling the effects of the transformative Inflation Reduction Act, and today’s announcement of the initial funding for two of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s programs – the National Clean Investment Fund and Clean Communities Investment Accelerator – will only accelerate our country’s transition to a climate friendly and more equitable future.

“Delivering on environmental justice was one of my north stars while writing the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is poised to be one of the most significant vehicles for delivering lasting support to our environmental justice communities. When you invest in renewable energy and clean buildings, you are investing in the technologies of the future and a better world for our children and grandchildren. I am proud to have led this historic program to passage in the Inflation Reduction Act to lower costs for families and creating good paying jobs securing America’s energy independent future.”

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