Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 | 2 a.m.
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As elected officials, our job is to collaborate with leaders across all levels of government and work toward solutions for our changing climate. Climate change is saddling our communities with the costly impacts of pollution, drought, wildfires and extreme weather.
Addressing the climate crisis, transitioning to clean energy economies and achieving environmental justice for disproportionately affected communities is a long battle that begins with the historic and unprecedented investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
We are grateful to our respective members of Congress and their colleagues who voted for these landmark laws which designate federal funds to build a healthier climate, create jobs in clean energy, and advance justice and equity in underserved communities. We’re also proud of the work our states have already done to put these federal funds to use and create jobs, boost local economies, protect public health and more.
In Nevada, there have been more than $9 billion in investments for solar, wind and geothermal energy production and the creation of 11,500 jobs, according to a recent U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee report. An estimated 42,000 jobs in clean energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and other sectors will be created over the next 10 years, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. A new Climate Power report also found the state ranks fourth in clean energy jobs for communities of color.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also brought millions of dollars to Nevada for protecting its water security and high-speed internet access, to name just a few projects.
Across Montana, 35 rural communities were granted funding for renewable and affordable energy projects through the Inflation Reduction Act. Federal climate investments also support agriculture conservation programs to help protect soil and water quality on Montana’s abundant agricultural lands, and designate funding to address orphan oil and gas wells across the state.
Missoula County has also set a leading example in making use of federal climate funds, launching a pilot rebate program for heat pump water heaters in partnership with the city and state, exploring renewable energy projects at former brownfield sites, pursuing solar projects for county-owned facilities, and establishing a workforce coalition to connect women with clean energy careers.
The Inflation Reduction Act celebrated its first anniversary in August, and we’re already seeing the benefits of both IRA and BIL at work in our local communities. As evidenced in our states and nationwide, these investments are creating jobs, advancing sustainable energy and supporting projects that cut energy and water costs for consumers.
As Congress negotiates the federal budget, it’s possible that some of these federal climate investments could face delays. We urge our federal representatives to work together to negotiate an agreement that does not defund any of the programs secured through the BIL and IRA, nor derail the climate-forward progress so many communities have already made. Let’s keep up this momentum.
As public servants, it is incumbent upon us to safeguard our communities’ health and environment, and ensure that our most vulnerable populations are protected from pollution. The federal government’s historic investments will help us strengthen water security, climate resilience, and economic and public health in the years to come.
We are proud of the work our communities have done so far in making use of federal climate and clean energy programs and funding opportunities. We’re excited and prepared for the work ahead.
Howard Watts represents District 15 in the Nevada Assembly and Juanita Vero is a Missoula County Commissioner in Montana. Both are contributors to Western Leaders Voices, a program of Western Leaders Network that helps amplify the voices of tribal, local and state elected leaders on conservation issues in the West.
