Friend,

The last 24 hours have been a non-stop rush of political news. I'm writing to make sure this point isn't lost: Yesterday was a major victory for the climate movement.

With you by our side, Evergreen has been a big part of the movement demanding bold climate policies that meet the moment. And yesterday, we saw the fruits of our labor in the text of the Build Back Better framework.

Below, I'm going to outline the most important climate investments in the package. (You might recognize a lot of these ideas from our policy memos.) But first, I need to ask: Can you chip in to help us capitalize on this historic moment?

Plain and simple: If this framework becomes law, it would represent the largest-ever investment in climate action in American history.

The Build Back Better framework incorporates many of our top priorities, including clean energy tax credits, a Civilian Climate Corps, funding to address environmental injustice, investments in a clean energy economy, and the creation of hundreds of thousands of good-paying union jobs. So now we must pass this bill. Period.

Still with me? Alright, let's get into it:

CLIMATE INVESTMENTS IN THE BUILD BACK BETTER FRAMEWORK

Clean Energy Tax Credits

• $320 billion in tax incentives for clean electricity, electric vehicles, clean buildings, advanced energy manufacturing, industrial decarbonization, and more
• Absolutely essential for meeting Biden's climate commitments
• Supports good-paying union jobs and investments in disadvantaged communities

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (aka Clean Energy Accelerator / Green Bank)

• $29 billion in support for clean energy and electric vehicle charging infrastructure
• At least 40% of the benefits will support disadvantaged communities
• Builds upon proven state and local green banks and their job-creating success

Civilian Climate Corps

• Jumpstart a nationwide climate workforce mobilization
• Creates 300,000 jobs with a living wage and benefits
• Prepares for good-paying careers in the clean economy

Environmental Justice

• Invests directly in priorities identified by environmental justice leaders
• $9 billion for lead remediation
• $3 billion to reduce air pollution at ports
• $65 million to collect data on communities facing environmental injustice
• $3 billion for Environmental & Climate Justice Block Grants
• $150 billion for affordable housing and community needs

Clean Buildings

• Makes American homes and businesses cleaner, more affordable, and climate-ready
• $12 billion in consumer rebates for electric appliances and energy efficiency retrofits
• $2 billion for electrification and efficiency improvements for affordable housing.

Clean Vehicles

• $5 billion to replace polluting heavy-duty vehicles with clean vehicles
• Creates tax credits for purchasing electric vehicles
• Provides resources for EV charging stations

Clean Electricity

• 10-year extension of renewable energy tax credits
• $10 billion for rural communities to invest in renewable energy
• $40 billion in loan guarantees for innovative clean energy projects

And there are even more climate benefits in this bill. In short: It must pass.

All of our advocacy has led to this moment. And by and large, it's worked. Now, we need to do everything in our power to pass this bill. If you're with us, I need you to chip in today.

Thanks for everything you've done to get us to this moment. Please know that despite its historic investments, this bill is still just a down payment in the fight against the climate crisis. President Biden must use more aggressive executive action to ensure full climate pollution reductions across every sector of the economy. And at Evergreen Action, we'll be working alongside you to make sure that happens.

Onward,

Sam Ricketts
Co-Director, Evergreen Action