FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2022
Contact:
Elyssa Pachico | +1 503-347-2329 | media@presente.org
Inflation Reduction Act, a Collection of Encouraging Initiatives, Falls Short on Decisive Measures to Avert Climate Crisis
Today, the House of Representatives passed the sweeping Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) bill; it will now head to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. The bill is aimed at reducing inflation, lowering drug prices, and addressing climate change, including $369 billion in climate and energy provisions.
According to Alianza Americas, a network of 58 migrant-led organizations in 18 states, for the most part these are welcome changes intended to benefit millions of people. However, the climate provisions are deeply concerning, as they are centered around financing mega industries to accelerate a renewable energy buildout, rather than encouraging local, community-led initiatives. Additionally, the bill does not address the United States’ overreliance on the burning of fossil fuels, which is driving climate change.
“This bill’s commitment to a renewable energy buildout is welcome, but this is still an inherently flawed piece of legislation,” said Melanie Minuche, climate justice organizer at Alianza Americas. “On one hand, this bill invests in the necessary buildout of renewable energy sources, but on the other, it requires the Department of the Interior to lease oil and gas permits to companies over the next decade, before actually establishing our renewable buildout on public lands. This will continue harming the frontline communities living near oil wells and fracking sites, and may accelerate the devastating impacts of the climate crisis.”
“For us as a nation to truly embrace a transformative climate policy, we must end extractivist practices which relentlessly take from our environment, rather than nourish it. We will continue to fight for the future our communities deserve,” added Minuche.
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Alianza Americas is the premier transnational advocacy network of Latin American migrant-led organizations working in the United States, across the Americas, and globally to create an inclusive, equitable and sustainable way of life for communities across North, Central and South America.