By Nate Reagle, Clean Energy Advocate for Pennsylvania Chapter
Billions of federal dollars from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) are becoming available at the state and local level for projects that will help transition us to a clean energy economy, creating 9 million jobs and reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030. To seize this opportunity, the Sierra Club launched the Community Advocates Program. Would you like to help with these efforts to maximize the impacts of these funds in your community?
Jim Wylie wrote a Sylvanian article in November about the Community Advocates for Clean Energy in the Greater Philadelphia Region. This program is focused in southeast Pennsylvania, specifically Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware Counties. If you live in these areas, you can learn more here, or contact them at contactphillyca@gmail.com for more information.
In addition to this Southeast Pennsylvania program, we are now expanding opportunities to participate in a statewide Clean Communities Project! The intent of this program is to maximize IRA/IIJA funding coming to communities in Pennsylvania (PA) to promote Sierra Club policies and priorities. Below is a list of goals along with some of the priority programs we will be working with.
Goals of the PA Statewide Clean Communities Project
- Empower grassroots activists to utilize the resources created by the IIJA and IRA laws to reach our long-term strategic goals and build a larger environmental movement that centers on frontline communities and our commitment to equity and justice
- Members and supporters are active across the state drawing down resources from IIJA and IRA to their communities
- Promote Sierra Club policy and priorities for IRA and IIJA implementation
- Simultaneously advancing state programs compatible with IRA/IIJA programs and funding
- Focus on schools and the implementation of the Home Energy Rebates Program
Focal IRA and IIJA Programs
- Home Energy Rebates Program (US Department of Energy, implemented by PA DEP)
- Clean School Bus Rebates Program (EPA)
- IRS Tax Credits
Get Involved
There are many flexible opportunities to get involved in the Statewide Clean Communities Project depending on your interests and how involved you want to be. Whether you want to send letters to schools, write Letters to the Editor, table events, send text alerts, or participate in public outreach opportunities held by state agencies, or work with us to find a role that suits your interests, skills, and schedule. Learn more and sign up here.
This blog was included as part of the May 2024 Sylvanian newsletter. Please click here to check out more articles from this edition!