Matt Casale
Former Director, Environment Campaigns, PIRG
Former Director, Environment Campaigns, PIRG
U.S. PIRG
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden released a framework of the Build Back Better Act Thursday after weeks of intense internal negotiations. The act, which will move through Congress via the budget reconciliation process, would make historic investments in clean energy, including 10 years of tax credits that could lower the costs of rooftop solar by 30% and bring down the cost of an electric vehicle by up to $12,500.
U.S. PIRG Environment Campaigns Director Matt Casale released the following statement:
“Climate change is the challenge of our generation. The Build Back Better Framework released today lays the foundation for the transition to clean renewable energy necessary to preserve a livable planet, clean air and clean water for generations to come. They say nothing worth doing is going to be easy. This framework represents countless hours of work by the House, Senate and White House. And while there is more work to do, what’s on the table is certainly worth doing.
“We urge Congress to pass the Build Back Better Act and the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as soon as possible so we can take the essential next steps toward a cleaner and healthier America. If that happens, we will advance transformative and common sense climate solutions, including making it easier for Americans to purchase an electric vehicle, put solar panels on their roofs and electrify their homes. We will shift the energy production and manufacturing industries toward cleaner technology. We will clean up pollution in our communities, replace lead pipes and clear our air. As the details are confirmed, we also hope to see more of these new investments paid for by the polluters that got us into these messes in the first place.”
Environment America’s Washington Legislative Office Executive Director Lisa Frank released the following statement:
“The proposed Build Back Better Act would be a game-changer in tackling the climate crisis. It clears the way for our country to more easily tap abundant clean energy from the sun and wind and will usher in a decade of clean energy growth by making renewables less expensive for consumers and businesses. It’s a win-win for Americans and our environment. President Biden and the many, many members of Congress who advocated for clean energy can be very proud of this framework.
“We urge Congress to move forward as soon as possible with both the Build Back Better Act and the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which makes complementary investments in the power grid, clean air, clean water and electric vehicle infrastructure.”