Fireside Chat, Panel
Climate Resilient Infrastructure: A Conversation with Senator Ed Markey
- The Civilian Climate Corps projects the creation of 300,000 trained members deployed to install clean energy, protect forests, restore wetlands, and complete energy efficiency projects, aiming to be larger than the 1960s Peace Corps by employing diverse Americans with living wages, healthcare, and union pathways while targeting underserved rural and urban communities.
- The LIFT Act is designed to fund pre-development activities such as capacity building and feasibility studies, with a directive to allocate 50 percent of funds to environmental justice communities, with each dollar spent projected to generate 16 to 20 dollars in economic benefits and build a project pipeline for municipal and philanthropic investment.
- The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund anticipates directing $21 billion to non-profits to leverage private capital for low and zero-emission technologies, with approximately 40 percent ($8 billion) designated for low-income and disadvantaged communities, alongside an additional $7.5 billion in grants for state, local, and tribal governments for rooftop solar and emission reductions.
- The National Climate Bank accelerator intends to reduce economy-wide emissions by 50 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, leveraging one dollar of public money to provide seven to eight dollars of additional private and public capital over a 10-year timeframe to de-risk projects in renewables, carbon capture, EV charging, and housing retrofits.
- Legislative efforts for the Build Back Better bill are currently one vote short, with substantive negotiations and procedural issues planned to be resolved over the next couple of weeks to establish a climate foundation before adding provisions for free pre-kindergarten and senior home care.
- Parliamentary decisions regarding budget reconciliation rules and objections must be made to advance provisions, with the President scheduled to deliver the State of the Union Address on January 1st.