Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Is an Important Step Forward—But Congress Must Do More to Address Climate Change

"Today's passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in the U.S. House of Representatives is an important step forward in our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and realize an equitable transition to a decarbonized, clean energy economy," said Daniel Bresette, executive director of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI). "On the day after ‘energy day’ at the U.N. climate talks in Glasgow, Congress sent a positive message to the world: the U.S. takes this challenge seriously and our leaders can come together on a bipartisan basis to support climate solutions.

"The infrastructure bill will fund critical projects to modernize the electricity grid; boost energy efficiency in our homes, schools, and commercial buildings; accelerate the pace of electrification across the transportation sector; help communities prepare for and withstand climate change impacts; and expand broadband internet access—an important facilitator for many climate change solutions—in low-income communities and rural areas.

"Even though there is a lot to like in the infrastructure bill, Congress has more work to do—much, much more work to do," said Bresette. "And we have to act fast and act often at the start of this critical decade to avoid the worst outcomes of climate change. Congress should build on the foundation provided by this infrastructure bill and enact new policies and make new investments, including those in the Build Back Better Act. When it comes to climate change, time is not on our side."