PennFuture responds to passage of bipartisan infrastructure package

"The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed today by the Senate is long overdue and helps deliver some of the bold, ambitious action we need to meet the challenges of this moment,” said PennFuture President and CEO Jacquelyn Bonomo. “Humanity is teetering on the brink of irrevocable harm from the climate crisis, as highlighted in the recent United Nations report, and this bipartisan infrastructure package will do more to address that crisis—especially in our environmental justice and other frontline communities—than any effort in at least a decade. President Biden, Leader Schumer and those voting in favor of this measure deserve our thanks. Let’s hope the country will see more breaks from the toxicity of Congress going forward.”

This bipartisan legislation defeats the notion that environmental and economic progress must always be at odds and our communities cannot have one with the other. To that end, this infrastructure package will tackle environmental issues while also creating about two million good-paying union jobs to boost our economy. As signaled by yesterday’s IPCC report, however, this package is only a down payment on the kind of action that is needed to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, and we are asking for larger investments by Congress in the near future to halt our march toward an impending climate disaster. 

PennFuture will watch eagerly as this bill transforms from words on paper into real, meaningful action for our residents and our environment, and we stand ready to do our part to ensure Pennsylvania benefits as much as possible from this legislation.” 

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PennFuture is leading the transition to a clean energy economy in Pennsylvania, fighting big polluters with legal muscle, enforcing environmental laws, and supporting legislative policy that protects public health. PennFuture is engaging and educating citizens about the realities of climate change, and giving them the tools needed to influence lawmakers on the issues. Visit www.pennfuture.org for more information.

Contact:
Jared Stonesifer
Director of Media Relations
stonesifer@pennfuture.org
412.456.2372