Inflation Reduction Act offers much to fight climate change

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Good news on the climate front for a change! The recent announcement that the U.S. Postal Service is replacing its fleet with EVs will literally help us breather easier. However, the biggest boost for protecting our Mother Earth comes from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Its provisions are wide ranging.

It contains billions for incentives and rebates to swap out natural gas appliances for electric ones. There are incentives to produce more renewable resources. IRA’s design is deliberately aimed to reduce environmental injustice as communities where pollution is high can qualify for special grants. Low-income families will automatically qualify for higher rebates. A unique aspect of the IRA is that non-profits can qualify for grants and subsidies. In the past, because non-profits were not subject to income taxes, they did not qualify for energy tax credits.

The IRA has the potential to reduce U.S. emissions by 40 percent by 2030, create good paying jobs in renewable energy, reduce premature deaths due to poor air quality, and improve environmental justice. This bodes well for our earth and our future.

Kristi Weir

Bellevue