Building on the Strong State of Climate Investments

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Biden highlighted last year’s historic climate legislation, clean energy investments and efforts to replace lead water lines during his State of the Union address tonight. 

The following is a statement from Manish Bapna, president and CEO of NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council): 

“From day one of his administration, President Biden has prioritized climate action and clean energy investment. Those efforts are paying dividends for people across the nation, in red states and blue.

“Since President Biden signed the landmark Inflation Reduction Act last year, we are seeing the beginnings of a U.S. manufacturing renaissance. Already, corporations have announced tens of billions in clean energy investments—to get more renewable power from the wind and sun and to build or expand factories that make solar panels, wind turbines and advanced batteries for electric cars—in places like Ohio, Texas and Georgia. These initial private investments alone are anticipated to create tens of thousands of jobs, and the law is expected to create millions more. And it is already starting to deliver substantial savings for consumers. 

“As the president said, the job is not finished. If we are going to meet our obligations to our children and grandchildren, we need strong climate and health standards for power plants, cars and trucks, and they must be finalized no later than early next year. There is no time for half measures or delay.

“Solving the climate crisis also requires protecting the nation’s natural systems—like our wetlands and forests. And the United States must provide developing countries with the financial resources to invest in clean energy and cope with mounting climate hazard and harm.  

“At the same time, to build the better world we all deserve—we must ensure everyone has access to safe drinking water. Yet, lead pipes are still harming the health and mental development of children all over the country. With President Biden’s leadership, Congress made key investments in fixing our crumbling infrastructure, including providing a historic $15 billion to remove and replace lead water lines across the nation. Now, the administration needs to work quickly to replace every lead water pipe in the next decade so every family in America can drink from their tap without fear of this devastating neurotoxin.

“The first two years of the Biden administration set a strong foundation—in the year ahead, it can and must lock in progress toward a cleaner, safer, more equitable and prosperous future.”

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.