Just as the world started springing toward a pollution-free future, the November election in the United States has many people wondering what the next administration means for climate action. There are plenty of unknowns, some concepts of plans, but what we do know is that about 80% of the climate-related funding from the Inflation Reduction Act has already been distributed. You might ask, “where did the climate funding end up?” The federal funding programs took a while to distribute, but they’re now waiting to be spent by states, counties, cities, and in our homes and driveways.
Let’s back up slightly. Despite the name, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was actually the largest investment the U.S. has ever made to stop human-caused pollution that’s causing havoc on our forests, waterways, agriculture, and our personal health. When people learned the IRA was about reducing pollution, energy costs, and prescription drug prices—and was paid for by closing tax loopholes—it won the support of over 70 percent of registered voters. When getting to the specific IRA policies, like creating bike paths in cities, funding energy efficient water heaters, HVAC systems and stoves, and increasing public transportation, 85 percent of all registered voters favored these plans. What many found surprising is that at least 64 percent of conservative Republicans favored these same specific policies as well.
Now that the IRA had two years to be implemented, how much has the landscape changed? Answer: immensely, but it’s too much for any single blog—so I’ll point you to a macro-trends discussion that is really encouraging.
The renewable energy transition is happening, the only question is how fast it’ll continue to move.
Additionally, the majority of the clean technology investments have gone to red states and districts. This is a strategy that will be put to the test, now that Republican-leaning districts have thousands of new manufacturing, infrastructure, construction, and green-jobs in their districts. This has led to billions of dollars in investment here in the Gem State alone (i.e.Micron, Avista, and Idaho Power). These legislators should be more reticent to revoke funding that is benefiting their own constituents. This strategy has borne some fruit already. This summer, 18 House Republicans sent a formal letter to the Speaker of the House asking them to leave the IRA funding intact because:
“Energy tax credits have spurred innovation, incentivized investment, and created good jobs in many parts of the country – including many districts represented by members of our conference.” -18 House Republican Representatives
I couldn’t have said it any better myself. And, if you know your House electoral math, Republicans will have a single-digit majority come January with 15 Republicans who signed that letter winning re-election. That may insulate some of the remaining climate funds in the IRA.
Let’s return to that 80% of IRA funding that is already at the state and local level (as well as funding from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), what can we do about that? There is no silver bullet, but there are dozens of little decisions at your fingertips that all push us in the right direction.
Thinking about home upgrades to make it more comfortable and save you money in the long run? See the Rewiring America electrification checklist for what to prioritize and how to take advantage of incentives. Eventually we’ll have electrified stoves, dryers, water heaters and all the rest. What’s nice about Rewiring America tools is they help you figure out—whether you’re a renter or a homeowner—what upgrades to start with so you can get the best bang for your buck. Whether your attic is in need of insulation to stop heat losses, or you’re upgrading your home’s entire HVAC system, the IRA incentives are ready to use! One of the first steps is to get an energy audit, find your local utility provider to get one scheduled.
Thinking of getting a new car? There’s a reason why electric vehicle sales keep breaking records! Once you consider the total cost of ownership, across all size-class comparisons, electric vehicles end up saving you money. Learn about the IRA’s electric and hybrid vehicle tax credits you can benefit from. To make it easier to drive around the country, Idaho is participating in the IRA-funded National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program to build charging stations along interstates. Do you want to install an EV charger at home? Yup, there’s IRA funding for that too. Spoiler alert, these EV-related credits may be on the chopping block for the next administration, so act fast.
The positive impacts from the IRA don’t stop at your doorstep either. Be sure to follow our blog to learn about how local cities, counties, and municipalities are using IRA funds to electrify their transit and garbage trucks, switching to LED street lights, and making our communities more resilient to extreme weather events.
While some of the remaining dollars in the IRA are on the chopping block, there’s still room for broadly supported energy advancements. Idaho has the most hot springs of any state in the U.S., which also means we have a vast potential for geothermal energy. Although the IRA didn’t have much funding for anything geothermal related, the advent of advanced geothermal technology shows real promise—meaning this could be an opportunity to expand a home-grown energy source. The Mountain Home Air Force Base recently started a geothermal project that will help keep their lights on, and we hope that can be used as a stepping stone for further geothermal systems in Idaho that we can all rally behind.
Even with a change in administration, the strategies you have at your fingertips remain the same: electrify your vehicles and appliances when they die, and use the IRA funds to help make the switch!