For Immediate Release (click for PDF)
Monday, November 22,2021
Contact: Doug Bland, AZ Interfaith Power & Light, doug.bland@azipl.org, 602.312.0324
Columba Sainz, Moms Clean Air Force, csainz@momscleanairforce.org, 520.664.8324
Sandy Bahr, Sierra Club, sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org, 602.999.5790
Arizona Climate and Conservation Groups Celebrate House Passage of Build Back Better Act
(Phoenix, Arizona) – On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the historic Build Back Better Act, which includes the most significant investments ever to address climate change. Following are statements from several Arizona climate and conservation groups on the House vote.
“The Build Back Better Act includes more than 100 programs that will invest more than $500 billion in climate action, clean energy jobs, and environmental justice and will benefit communities across the country, including here in Arizona,” said Sandy Bahr, director for Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon (Arizona) Chapter. “We appreciate the support of Representatives Grijalva, Gallego, Kirkpatrick, Stanton, and O’Halleran for this historic legislation and urge our two senators to support timely passage in the Senate.”
“In this season of Thanksgiving, we say ‘Thanks’ to our Representatives who voted to support the Build Back Better Budget,” said Rev. Doug Bland, Arizona interfaith Power & Light. “Spiritual leaders from many faith traditions have called us to ‘hear the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor.’ The social and environmental focus of the Build Back Better Act is one important answer to that call for justice and compassion.”
“The Build Back Better Act represents a historic investment in some of our most vulnerable communities across Arizona. With more than $10 billion for a just transition away from fossil fuels and empowering young people to pursue careers in renewable energy through a Civilian Climate Corps, this package will make sure we are prepared to meet the existential threats of the climate crisis,” said Alex Ross with Defend Our Future. “U.S. Representatives Raul Grijalva, Tom O’Halleran, Greg Stanton, Ann Kirkpatrick, and Reuben Gallego led the fight in the House to invest in Arizona’s future — rebuilding infrastructure, boosting clean energy, and creating the jobs of the future in industries like electric vehicles. Now we keep our eyes and focus on Sen. Sinema and Sen. Kelly as the Build Back Better Act moves to the Senate.”
“The Build Back Better Act will make historic investments in addressing the climate crisis. As moms our children’s future and health is a priority,” said Columba Sainz with Moms Clean Air Force. “Our gratitude goes to our lawmakers for ensuring our children have a bright and healthy future ahead of them. We have immense gratitude to all or our Arizona representatives for uniting in support of the Build Back Better Act. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, Rep. Ruben Gallego, Rep. Grijalva and Rep.Tom O'Halleran have listened to Arizona families and voted to protect us from climate change. The Build Back Better Act now moves to the Senate and Moms have every expectation that Senators Kelly and Sinema will demonstrate climate leadership by voting for the bill.”
“In Arizona, poor air quality, extreme heat, drought, and wildfire put terrible stress on our families and exacerbate the health disparities faced by our community. President Biden’s plan to Build Back Better is our opportunity to recover from COVID, create millions of good-paying jobs and tackle climate change,” said Ulisses Correa, Environmental Justice Organizer with Mi Familia Vota. “Arizona communities, Arizona’s economy, and our planet CANNOT wait for bold climate action. Being changed, and we’d like to thank our house, who voted on the Build Back better. Thank you, Representatives Grijalva, Gallego, Kirkpatrick, Stanton, and O’Halleran. Next up, US Senate!”
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