The Inflation Reduction Act has passed the Senate, and we are simultaneously relieved and more than a little heartsick. The bill’s $369 billion in clean energy funding, although belated and inadequate, is a victory still. But it’s also a devil’s contract that explicitly props up the fossil fuel industry and sacrifices environmental justice communities. It’s about changing the energy source and not our system of injustice. This, apparently, is the best we can do right now, and it’s not our best. It’s not even close.
Many props to Senator Bernie Sanders for his honorable last-minute attempt to pass an amendment removing the fossil fuel poison pills from the bill. He did what he could, and then joined 50 Democrats in voting yes.
As climate journalist Amy Westervelt has said, “Political reality” is not actual reality and we can in fact change it, spread the word!”
Bottom line: We still need to push Biden to declare a climate emergency now. And then return to the work we must keep doing.
Here’s a bulleted list of the pros and cons of the bill from 350 Bay Area Action, a longer treatment from Westervelt, as well as sobering statements from the Climate Justice Alliance and the Green New Deal Network.