Comprehensive Federal Climate Legislation
In March 2021, CVI and our affiliates across the country launched a nationwide campaign to push President Joe Biden and Congress to enact comprehensive climate legislation. We are thrilled to share that last week Senate leaders reached an agreement on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022!
If passed, the $369 billion climate investment included in the bill will be the most significant climate legislation in US history. Click here to read an overview of the Energy Security and Climate Change Investments components. Analysis is already demonstrating the substantial impact this legislation will have on cutting emissions, creating jobs, protecting lives, and saving money for hardworking Americans.
- Rhodium Group found that the IRA would reduce US emissions by 40% by 2030. With local and executive agency action, the US could reach the critical goal of 50% reduction by 2050.
- Energy innovation found that the IRA could create at least 1.5 million new jobs in 2030. It would also avoid up to 3,900 premature deaths and up to 100,000 asthma attacks annually by 2030.
- Rewiring America found that purchasing clean energy options using tax credits and rebates would save households $1,800 per year.
Event: Climate Action Art Walk: August 5th
As part of CVI’s campaign for federal climate action, we created the Garden City Climate Action Art Walk. Once completed, this series of five murals across the Live-Work-Create District of Garden City will serve to celebrate what bills like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act could mean for communities like Garden City throughout Idaho.
As part of the Live-Work-Create First Friday Art & Studio Stroll, CVI staff will reveal the fourth mural at the Vall-eBike headquarters — 106 E 34th St, Garden City — with one of our mural artists Mary Arnold. Visitors will be able to meet Arnold, view her new mural, and learn more about CVI’s work. There will also be a couple of Vall-eBike’s electric bikes for visitors to try. Drop by anytime from 5:30-8:30 p.m. MST on Friday, Aug. 5.
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in Idaho
In addition to working to pass critical climate legislation, CVI is dedicated to supporting the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funds to benefit communities across Idaho. As part of this effort, CVI has been selected to sit on a task force put together by the Idaho Strategic Energy Alliance (ISEA).
Through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a federal bill passed last year, Idaho is expected to receive $39 million in energy-related formula funding. Over $9 billion additional dollars will also be available through competitive programs.
Idaho’s use of the IIJA funding will significantly change our energy landscape. By participating in the taskforce, CVI hopes to continue to push Idaho toward a future of cleaner, more efficient energy.