It’s springtime in Virginia, which, as you know, brings lovely flowers and warm weather, but also more rain. Communities across Virginia, including our regions along the coast and our cities below sea level, see firsthand the devastating and costly impacts of climate change as they face record flooding each year.
The reality is that climate change affects everyone across the country — no one is immune from its impacts, especially future generations.
Addressing climate change and mitigating these devastating consequences is one of my top priorities in the Senate, and I know how important this issue is to you as well. We made incredible progress last year with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, but we’re still hurtling toward a tipping point.
I’m proud to have had a hand in passing the Inflation Reduction Act, the most significant climate bill ever last year. It will make a real difference for Virginians and all Americans. We’re on our way to reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030, and we have the chance to create nearly 1 million clean energy jobs annually. It’s a big deal.
Some of the provisions that went into effect on January 1st will help Virginia by:
Boosting clean energy investments
Improving home energy efficiency
Increasing access to electric vehicles
These are just a small glimpse at the more tangible aspects of the new law -- and I think a big win here is that we’ve reestablished the U.S. as a global leader in fighting climate change.
