One Year Since the Inflation Reduction Act

Last year, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and it’s truly an anniversary to celebrate. At $369 billion over 10 years, the IRA represents the single largest investment in fighting the climate crisis the U.S. has ever made and a historic down payment toward radically meeting our goals to tackle climate change.

The bill included investments to help reduce air pollution, prevent wildfires, improve water conditions in underserved communities, spur clean energy investments, create green jobs, and so much more. Here’s where the money has gone and some of what the IRA has accomplished so far in just 12 months.

What the IRA is funding nationally

Through the IRA’s first 11 months, 272 new clean energy projects totalling $278 billion have been planned or embarked in most states across the country, from small towns to big cities. These projects are creating over 170,600 new clean energy jobs, which, In addition to the environmental benefits, are critical because they lead to an income increase between 8% and 19% on average. Here is the breakdown by clean energy source:

Electric Vehicles:

  • 65 new projects
  • $44.1 billion invested
  • 32,428 new jobs

Solar:

  • 56 new projects
  • $20.85 billion invested
  • 21,572 new jobs

Wind:

  • 29 new projects
  • $20.07 billion invested
  • 8,020 new jobs

What the IRA is funding in California

The Golden State has the fourth most clean energy projects of any state with 16 new IRA funded projects. Since the IRA’s passage, California has seen $11.9 billion of clean energy investments and 5,288 good-paying clean energy jobs. 

A gigafactory is opening in Richmond, which will create 800 new jobs to manufacture clean, mobile energy storage technology. A new company is building a $4 billion lithium-ion manufacturing plant in Southern California to increase production of EV batteries, and they are prioritizing creating jobs in the Imperial Valley.

Los Angeles Unified School District is taking advantage of the IRA to accomplish its goal of completely electrifying its bus yard in Sun Valley – which serves over 4,600 students in the northern part of the district — by 2026. LAUSD purchased over 180 new electric school buses and other electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure as part of this plan.

EnviroVoters Ed Fund's impact on the IRA

Getting a climate investment bill like the IRA passed has long been a goal of EnviroVoters Ed Fund. We dedicated so much time to working on this project and uplifting our champions in Congress and the Senate to help make this happen.

Some of our priorities that made it into the IRA spending package include:

  • $68 Million for electric school bus funding
  • Lead pipe replacement
  • Wildfire prevention funding
  • California offshore wind inclusion

ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS EDUCATION FUND 

California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) Education Fund, formerly the California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. EnviroVoters Ed Fund fights for equity and justice for all Californians, from voting rights to clean air and water. We work together to make government, policy, and voting accessible by conducting public opinion research, shaping the public narrative, organizing with allies and local communities, and educating legislators on pressing environmental issues. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.EnviroVotersEdFund.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.