Adam Beitman, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In response to New York Times reporting on the uncertain fate of a major climate provision of the Build Back Better Act, the Sierra Club released the following statement. In addition, Sierra Club West Virginia Conservation Committee Chair Jim Kotcon released a statement below.
STATEMENT FROM THE SIERRA CLUB:
“Ultimately, any final deal must meet the climate test of cutting climate pollution in half by 2030. Right now, that means including the CEPP, and that is why environmental advocates have fought for it as an important priority alongside the clean energy tax incentives and so many of the other policies and climate investments that are in this bill. We will continue to fight for it’s inclusion.
“If the CEPP were to be abandoned, President Biden and Congressional Democrats must deliver bold NEW investments in other climate priorities to close the emissions gap and meet the President’s international climate goals in the coming days and weeks as the U.N climate negotiations near.
“Such new investments could include historic moves to reduce industrial emissions, advancing rooftop and community solar, increased tax credits to expedite the clean energy transition, grants for states to slash climate pollution, investments in building electrification, and robust new funding for enforcement of the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Air Act.
“Meanwhile, to meet the climate test, we must eliminate all fossil fuel subsidies, and other critical climate investments in the current Build Back Better Act MUST be delivered wholly intact with zero cuts, including clean energy tax credits; renewable energy incentives for rural co-ops; public transit and electric vehicle investments; protections for our forests, lands, and urban green spaces; climate and environmental justice block grants; funding for healthy ports; nationwide replacement of lead pipes; and retrofits of homes and schools to reduce pollution.”
Statement from Sierra Club West Virginia Conservation Committee Chair Jim Kotcon:
“West Virginians know climate change impacts our daily lives. We continue to see floods increase in severity, our utility bills are skyrocketing in order to prop up uneconomic coal power plants, and the most vulnerable among us suffer the negative health impacts of polluting industries.
“Senator Manchin has an opportunity to help us in a very significant way. Stop the pain: prioritize investments in the people of West Virginia, Joe! Provide opportunities for families to thrive! West Virginians are speaking loud and clear, and Senator Manchin should listen. Pass the Build Back Better bill and move West Virginians forward.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.