Washington, D.C. — A new report from the Center for American Progress and the CLEO Institute shows how Florida leaders can tap into Inflation Reduction Act funding to invest in clean energy, build climate-resilient communities, create good jobs, and lower household costs in the state.
The law provides $369 billion to accelerate the U.S. transition to a clean energy economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 40 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. It would also create more than 1.3 million high-quality, fair-wage jobs nationally and approximately 85,000 jobs in Florida by that date. Yet several Inflation Reduction Act funding opportunities have been passed over by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and his administration.
The report urges state and local leaders to act now to secure and direct Inflation Reduction Act investments to the most vulnerable communities. That includes those communities overburdened by pollution and climate change and facing racial injustice and economic inequality.
“Ensuring that every community, regardless of its socioeconomic background, has the opportunity to thrive in a sustainable and resilient environment is not just a goal but a moral imperative,” said Yoca Arditi-Rocha, executive director of the CLEO Institute and co-author of the report. “Florida policymakers, businesses, and other groups can use the Inflation Reduction Act to invest in creative solutions to address the climate crisis and champion a future where equity and justice drive our environmental goals.”
“Florida’s scorching temperatures this summer delivered a painful reminder of how climate change is fueling more intense and dangerous heat waves and other extreme weather events that threaten public health and safety,” said Cathleen Kelly, senior fellow at CAP and co-author of the report. “The refusal of the state’s governor and his administration to take advantage of resources offered by the Inflation Reduction Act must be counteracted by bold action from other leaders across the state.”
The report identifies the most pressing climate change threats to Florida and highlights five areas where Inflation Reduction Act investments can be most beneficial for Floridians:
- Reducing pollution and climate change threats and accelerating clean energy
- Building climate-ready coasts and communities
- Lowering energy costs with clean energy and climate-resilient homes and buildings
- Protecting Florida’s rural communities with climate-resilient energy infrastructure investments
- Supporting pollution-free ports and transportation for more livable communities
Read the report: “How the Inflation Reduction Act Can Improve Lives and Livelihoods in Florida” by Auburn Bell, Cathleen Kelly, and Yoca Arditi-Rocha
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].