PRESS RELEASE

IEC Statement on Senate Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act

Springfield, IL – Today, in response to Senate passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released the following statement from Executive Director Jen Walling:

“It’s a historic day. The Inflation Reduction Act is the single biggest thing our nation has ever done to confront the climate crisis. The IRA will set in motion the economy-wide transformation necessary to power our homes, cars and trucks, and buildings with cheap renewable energy while making the U.S. a leader in clean energy manufacturing and investing in communities too often left behind.

“Last year, Illinois enacted the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), the nation’s most equitable climate jobs bill which set the goal of 100% carbon-free power by 2045 and 100% clean energy by 2050. As a result, Illinois is uniquely positioned to leverage the federal investments lined up in the IRA for shovel-ready projects that deliver jobs in Illinois communities where they’re needed most.

“We want to acknowledge that the IRA also includes damaging provisions designed to benefit the still-too-powerful fossil fuel industry that could have particularly harmful impacts on Indigenous communities, people of color, and other front-line communities. Just as we are ready to build the clean energy future this historic bill supports, we are equally ready to keep fighting against more drilling, leasing, pipelines, and other dangerous measures that perpetuate environmental racism and the climate crisis.

“We look forward to swift House passage followed by the President’s bill signing so that the U.S. can speed up our transition to a healthier, more equitable, clean energy future as soon as possible.”

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Illinois Environmental Council

Since 1975, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) has worked to safeguard Illinois—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends by building power for people and the environment. Representing over 100 environmental organizations operating in Illinois and over 500 individuals in the state, IEC carries out its mission to advance public policies that create healthy environments across Illinois through education, advocacy and movement building. For more, visit ilenviro.org.

 

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