Attorney General Nessel Becomes Part of an Eleven State Alliance Urging Congress to Preserve Funding for the Inflation Reduction Act

By Better Today On Sep 29, 2023

TL/DR –

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and a coalition of 11 states are urging Congress to protect the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) from budget cuts. The IRA, signed into law by President Biden in August 2022, is the largest US investment in climate change and provides funding for states to respond to climate-related events and switch to cleaner energy sources. The group opposes proposed cuts that threaten the IRA’s capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create green jobs, and help rural businesses, disadvantaged communities, and low- to moderate-income families transition to cleaner energy.

Michigan AG Joins Coalition to Safeguard Inflation Reduction Act

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with colleagues from 11 states, has urged Congress to shield the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) from detrimental budget reductions.

“The IRA provides crucial funds for states to address climate events and transition to greener energy,” Nessel stated. “Budget cuts could jeopardize clean energy jobs and entrepreneurship, so it’s crucial Congress preserves substantial funding for this act.”

President Biden enacted the IRA in August 2022, the biggest national investment in tackling climate change. The Act channels significant funds towards climate solutions, incentivizing clean energy and energy efficiency.

The coalition’s letter requests Congress to rebuff cuts proposed by House leadership threatening the IRA’s potential to significantly curtail greenhouse gas emissions and foster green employment. These cuts could withdraw over $20 billion authorized by the Act.

The coalition resists cuts to programs that would:

Assist rural small businesses and agricultural producers transition to renewable energy, improving energy reliability and affordability;
Stimulate economic opportunity in disadvantaged communities while reducing pollution and promoting clean energy technology;
Support low- to moderate-income families migrate to cleaner homes and appliances.

Proposed cutbacks to various federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection agency and Department of Labor, may impede the successful deployment of these and other IRA programs.

The IRA’s implementation is critical to ensure that climate goals benefit disadvantaged and low-wealth communities, rather than burden them further. In the Act’s first year, over 170,000 clean energy jobs have been created, with an estimated 1.5 million jobs projected within the first decade.

The letter was initiated by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and endorsed by AG Nessel along with attorneys general from Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.