LCV, Chispa, and NCLCV Applaud Biden-Harris Announcement of $20B for Clean Energy Projects in Historically Excluded Communities

For Immediate Release

April 4, 2024

Contact: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org, 940-783-2230

Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org, 202-907-9717

Washington, D.C. — Today, the Biden-Harris administration announced awards for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which will direct $20 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act to community development entities to finance projects that will reduce pollution, tackle the climate crisis, lower energy costs for families, and create good-paying jobs across the country, particularly in communities of low wealth and communities of color. In response to the Biden-Harris administration’s announcement, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), Chispa, and the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters (NCLCV) released the following statements:

“The Biden-Harris administration is continuing to deliver on their promise to accelerate our country’s progress towards a clean energy future and ensure that a healthier, more prosperous future benefits communities previously left out,” said LCV Vice President of Federal Policy, Matthew Davis. “While extremist MAGA Republicans continue to attack the President’s affordable clean energy plan, these investments from the historic Inflation Reduction Act will jumpstart local projects and help cut energy costs for families, create clean energy jobs, and decrease pollution in communities disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis and volatile fossil fuel prices. We look forward to these investments catalyzing building energy efficiency and clean energy projects on the ground and are thrilled that over half of these projects will go to historically excluded communities, including communities of color, communities with low wealth, and rural communities.”

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“Chispa is excited to welcome the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund investments. These will address critically needed green energy funding for our communities of color that need it most, resulting in cleaner air, lower energy costs for all, and more local jobs,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco González. “With local improvements such as community-owned solar, small business loans for local employers to electrify their vehicles, and home loans for families to improve their home’s comfort and energy efficiency, we’re starting to see an inclusive green energy future for all as a reality.”

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“We thank Vice President Kamala Harris for coming to North Carolina and announcing the launch of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund; and it couldn’t come at a better time,” said NCLCV Executive Director Carrie Clark. “According to the latest US climate assessment, North Carolina is one of the top five states facing the most expensive climate disasters. But North Carolina has also ranked first in the nation for business two years in a row, and first in the nation in rural clean energy jobs. If we want this success to continue, we must address the climate crisis. This announcement addresses the heart of the climate crisis and will help ensure North Carolina continues to be a great place for families and businesses to thrive.”

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