Senate Budget Deal Would Be the Biggest Climate Change Action Ever, But Doesn’t Come Without Concessions

Senator Schumer Speaks On The CHIPS and Science Legislation And The Inflation Reduction Act Of 2022
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks to reporters during a news conference on Capitol Hill on Thursday, July 28, 2022 in Washington, DC. Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times / Getty Images
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If passed, the bill’s $369 billion energy and climate provisions could put the U.S. on a path to cut climate pollution 31% to 44% below 2005 levels in 2030.

Not everything is swell, though. The compromise includes a number of fossil fuel giveaways – such as requiring new lease sales for drilling on public lands and offshore, and money for fossil-fueled power plants to do carbon capture and sequestration – and creates requirements for domestic critical minerals production while leaving out funding for public transit or the job-creating Civilian Conservation Corps. Some climate advocates reacted with surprise and delight while other advocates argue the bill is riddled with poison pills that will take the U.S. in the wrong direction.

For a deeper dive:

Explainers: USA TodayCNNABC NewsThe CutGizmodoNew York TimesWall Street JournalCanary MediaCNBCVoxAxios

Reactions: CNBCThe HillYahooNPRThe GuardianWall Street JournalNPRUtility Dive

For more climate change and clean energy news, you can follow Climate Nexus on Twitter and Facebook, sign up for daily Hot News, and visit their news site, Nexus Media News.

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