Dear Friend,

Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate passed its Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal While the deal makes some much-needed improvements to the nation's infrastructure and increases funding for clean technology research and development, it does not go nearly far enough to meet the moment on climate change or environmental justice.

LCV welcomes the positive investments in the deal that lay a solid foundation for further action on climate and environmental justice by Congress, including funding to:

• replace some lead pipes across the country, which will help reduce dangerous lead contamination in our drinking water.
• modernize the nation's energy grid, a necessary step to securing our ability to transmit clean energy.
• cap abandoned oil wells and mines, which will help curb oil leaks that contaminate soil and groundwater.
• advance research and development in clean technologies.

However, the deal lacks a crucial component to address the code-red emergency that is the climate crisis and ensure a safe, healthy, just, and livable planet for all: lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

As the International Panel on Climate Change's grim report detailed on Monday, humanity does not have a moment to spare in the fight against climate change. Though we have run out of time to avoid the kind of climate impacts we are already experiencing — record-breaking wildfires and droughts, rising sea levels, and extreme heat — we can make the changes necessary to avoid a climate catastrophe. Scientists believe there is still hope that drastic cuts in emissions could stabilize rising temperatures — but only if governments act right now.

That's why LCV has been all-in on a nationwide campaign to push Congress to pass a budget with game-changing climate investments that will:

• cut the U.S.'s carbon pollution by at least half by 2030;
• put our nation on the path to 100% carbon-free energy that powers our electricity grid and new cars, buses, and buildings by 2035; and
• deliver at least 40% of investment benefits to communities of color and low-income communities that have borne the brunt of fossil fuel pollution.

These transformative investments in clean energy and environmental justice cannot come soon enough. The alarming report from scientists around the world reinforces the urgent need for Congress and the Biden administration to act right now on climate at the scale that science and justice require. Passage of a climate and justice-centric budget should be priority #1 for Congress, both because our lives and future generations depend on it, and because voters overwhelmingly want it.

A new poll released by LCV and Climate Power, shows widespread support for a budget reconciliation package that puts climate and clean energy front and center. In fact, three in four voters support the full "Build Back Better" reconciliation package, including nearly half of Republican voters.

There is no more time to waste; climate change is here. Congress must act now. Throughout the budget reconciliation process, LCV will continue to vocally advocate and vigorously organize for robust clean energy and environmental justice investments, ensuring that members of Congress feel pressure in their own states and districts to act.

As always, LCV could not do this urgent, important work without your continued support. We are forever grateful for your partnership.

Onward,

Gene Karpinski
President
League of Conservation Voters