Friends of the Earth urges changes to the Inflation Reduction Act, opposes fossil fuel side deal
WASHINGTON – The Senate is expected to vote soon on the Inflation Reduction Act.
Erich Pica, President of Friends of the Earth, issued the following statement in response:
Friends of the Earth stands in solidarity with the climate justice and environmental justice organizations and communities that are expressing deep concern or opposition to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Their voices must be honored and heard. The process of drafting this legislation was anti-democratic and non-transparent. Behind closed doors, politicians negotiated and made compromises over the lives and livelihoods of communities in Alaska, Appalachia, the Gulf of Mexico and other places impacted by fossil fuel development and climate change without their consent. Perpetuating this trauma, the “side deal” to undermine the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act robs these communities of their voice and agency to fight polluting energy projects in their communities and neighborhoods. Congress must oppose the side deal and make changes to the Inflation Reduction Act to meet the demands of justice and the climate crisis.
Statements on the Inflation Reduction Act from several climate and environmental justice groups can be found below.
Climate Justice Alliance
GreenLatinos
We Act for Environmental Justice
Taproot Earth
Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition
Indigenous Environmental Network
For a full analysis of the legislation from Friends of the Earth, please click here.
Contact: Erin Jensen, [email protected]