Late Friday night, the US House of Representatives passed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by a vote of 228-206. This is a big deal, with historic investments in climate, clean energy, natural infrastructure, coastal restoration, forest restoration and resilience programs, including more than $200 billion in priority programs that The Nature Conservancy has been advocating for over the past year.
In addition to the major infusion of investments for agencies and communities across the country, the passage of the bill affirms that nature and climate are our country’s most fundamental infrastructure. We wrote about what the bill means for Washington back in August, when the Senate passed it, focusing on the many benefits of nature and people. Over the weekend, Senator Cantwell shared a more comprehensive summary of how the investments will touch down in our state, too. Now, with House passage, the bill heads to President Biden’s desk for his signature.
What’s next?
We’re busily preparing for the major investments headed our way to benefit nature and people in Washington. Our conservation teams and many partners are hard at work getting ready to put this funding into on-the-ground, in-the-water action for healthier, more resilient communities. Stay tuned for details on how the work will show up in your own neighborhood.
Importantly, while the bipartisan infrastructure bill represents major steps forward for federal climate action especially, much work remains to be done. As we celebrate this progress, we continue to advocate strongly for the Build Back Better Act, which will deliver additional, much-needed climate investments to help the US meet its 2030 emissions reductions goals and ensure a healthier, more sustainable future.
Banner photo by Benj Drummond.
Carousel photos: Benj Drummond, Kent Mason, Dave Lauridsen, Hannah Letinich, Courtney Baxter, Heather Van Steenburgh, Keith Lazelle.
