Friend: The U.S. Senate has reached a deal on major climate legislation!

While the final language is still being written, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) will invest $369 billion in climate over the next 10 years, making it the largest federal climate and clean energy bill in American history.

Estimates suggest the IRA will cut U.S. climate emissions to about 40% of 2005 levels.

I’m stoked, friend! I’ll tell you more about what’s in the bill in a moment, but I first wanted to tell you what you can do to help make sure the IRA passes.

Senator Joe Manchin and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have agreed to the deal, but we need all 50 Democrats to vote for this reconciliation bill and then have the House pass it as well to get it to President Biden’s desk.

We need to make sure every Democrat knows the immense public support behind this historic climate package, so please sign on to our petition urging Congress to pass the Inflation Reduction Act.

Friend, here are some of the highlights of the $369 billion in climate spending:

• $60 billion for clean energy tax credits and manufacturing
• $45 billion allocated for environmental justice
• $30 billion for grid investments
• $20 billion for climate smart agriculture
• $5 billion for forests

The bill is expected to lower energy prices for average U.S. households and includes a new fee on methane. It is funded by instituting a progressive corporate tax and allowing the government to negotiate prescription drug costs. And passing the IRA would offer President Biden more credibility as he calls for more climate leadership internationally.

In the words of our President, this is a “Big F-ing Deal.” $369 billion of guaranteed funding over the next 10 years sends a signal to our industry partners that the transition away from oil and gas is here to stay.

It will also foster all sorts of new programs, technologies, and jobs to meet this moment, much like how the Obama Era auto bailout industry launched California’s thriving electric car industry. These investments matter because it creates a federal roadmap of a greener future.

Let me be clear, the IRA is far from perfect. Negotiating with Senator Manchin meant that these investments came at a high cost, and this proposed bill includes policy giveaways that will continue to uplift the fossil fuel industry at a time when it needs to go away, including expanding federal lands available for oil and gas leasing. 

But make no mistake, we will continue to fight against corporate polluters once this bill passes. When faced with the choice of real change that required compromise, or not passing the bill at all and failing to meet our climate goal, the choice was simple: We must pass the Inflation Reduction Act because it’s the single largest investment in fighting the climate crisis that our country has ever made.

This effort wouldn’t have come without the ongoing leadership of our climate champions in California’s congressional delegation, as well as the relentless work of the environmental and environmental justice community.

We will continue to push to pass this historic, impactful federal climate bill and update you as it moves along in the next few weeks.

Until then, add your name to tell Congress to pass this unprecedented investment in climate.

Let’s get this done!

Aaron McCall
Federal Advocacy Coordinator
California Environmental Voters
(formerly California League of Conservation Voters)

EnviroVoters is hiring! Join us to work on critical climate legislation work.

California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters), formerly California League of Conservation Voters, exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. To protect our air, land, water, and future, we organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. Our vision is to solve the climate crisis, build resilient, connected, healthy communities, and create a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all.