Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act: A Down Payment on Fulfilling Federal Promises for Climate Action

The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as H.R.3684 or bipartisan infrastructure plan, passed the House of Representatives late on November 5, 2021, and was signed into law in mid-November. The $1.2 trillion package represents months of bipartisan negotiations and is the first critical component of achieving the vision laid out in President Biden’s American Jobs Plan.

IIJA is a significant first step towards meeting the climate crisis and reinvigorating the U.S. economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill’s passage clears the way for billions of dollars of investment in research, development, and demonstration for carbon-free technologies and infrastructure, which are vital to opening pathways for achieving net-zero emissions. These investments will begin reversing the tide in the fight against climate change while creating new jobs and opportunities for communities across America.