Thank you for unpacking the specific programs contained in the Inflation Reduction Act in the article “ What Does Inflation Reduction Act Mean for Californians? ” Given the difficulties of American politics today, the lockstep opposition from Republicans and the overwhelming financial and political power of vested interests, this legislation is a triumph.
On climate, the billions of dollars in tax credits, rebates, investments, and loans will lower the costs of renewables and incentivize businesses and consumers to choose clean energy options. While this legislation will jump-start the transition away from fossil fuels, on its own it will not get us to our climate goals fast enough.
Despite the devastating impacts carbon pollution creates, fossil-fuel interests continue to do all they can to keep their business model going, leaving all the costs of the disease, death, and planetary disruption they cause to be borne by the public. Greenhouse-gas emissions continue to climb. Oil and gas companies continue to spend millions extracting ever more product, so much that if it were all utilized our planetary home would over-heat and devolve in uncontrollable catastrophe.