On August 16, 2022 President Biden signed into law the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This law marks the most significant action on climate change in U.S. history. While it’s far from perfect, the IRA will have significant implications for our climate, the clean energy future we’re fighting for, and the future of family agriculture.
The IRA is an investment in our rural communities. Among its many economic priorities, the law advances $20 billion in family farms and ranches, supporting the backbone of our local economy, and provides $10 billion in funding for electric cooperatives to invest in affordable renewable energy. We are glad to see our farming and ranching communities put front and center in climate legislation.
In addition, the IRA will provide a stronger path forward in our just transition to clean energy. The law promises $40 billion for the U.S. manufacture of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries and critical minerals, while promising to cut greenhouse gas pollution by 40% by 2030. It will provide good jobs to our communities, make clean energy more accessible, and bring us much closer to a healthier climate for all.
We know that with these many great strides come many compromises, including continued investment in fossil fuels like methane. But we move forward celebrating all of the grassroots work that got us here and continuing our commitment to ensure a stable and healthy climate for future generations.
