NEW CLIMATE POWER COMMUNITIES OF COLOR REPORT HIGHLIGHTS CLEAN ENERGY BOOM IN MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES

Since Passage of IRA, Majority of Clean Energy Projects are in Communities of Color, Creating Over 85,000 Jobs in Areas with Sizeable BIPOC Communities 

Washington, D.C. –  Today, Climate Power released a new report illustrating how the Biden administration’s clean energy plan is creating an economic boon in communities of color. According to the new report, since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, 129 of the 190+ clean energy projects announced are in communities of color, bringing more than 85,000 new jobs to BIPOC communities. 

MAGA Congressional Republicans are threatening to kill clean energy jobs that primarily benefit their districts and communities of color with their Default on America Act. Even though many of these Republicans have taken credit for these jobs and celebrated clean energy investments in their communities, they are dead set on repealing the very incentives that made these jobs a reality. If the Inflation Reduction Act is repealed, over 140,000 clean energy jobs are at risk of being killed. 

“With their Default on America Act, Congress’ MAGA extremists are once again choosing to serve Big Oil’s interests over the wellbeing of their constituents. By going after thousands of jobs and clean energy projects that are already creating economic opportunity all over the country, they are threatening the future of all Americans—with communities of color bearing the brunt of their dangerous legislation,” said Antonieta Cadiz, Deputy Executive Director of Climate Power, En Acción. “Since the passage of President Biden’s Clean Energy Plan, clean energy companies have announced or moved forward with 191 projects, 129 of which are in communities of color. From Arizona to North Carolina, these investments are paving the way for historic emission cuts and a livable planet for our children while benefiting our economies with better-paying jobs and reduced costs on electricity bills. These opportunities are what’s at stake if the Inflation Reduction Act is repealed.”

Findings from the report: 

• 129 projects located in communities of color across 34 states are creating more than 85,263 new clean energy jobs and $100.34 billion in investment. 
• Arizona, Georgia, South Carolina, Nevada, and Michigan are home to the largest number of new clean energy jobs in communities of color. 
• In Black communities, there are 71 new clean energy projects, spurring $42.7 billion in investment and 42,513 new clean energy jobs since the passage of the IRA. South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, New York, and Tennessee are home to the largest number of new clean energy jobs in Black communities.
• In Latino communities, there are 43 new clean energy projects, spurring $28.5 billion in investment and 35,105 new clean energy jobs since the passage of the IRA. Arizona, Nevada, California, Texas, and Rhode Island are home to the largest number of new clean energy jobs in Latino communities.
• In Native American communities, there are 48 new clean energy projects, spurring $32.2 billion in investment and 37,987 new clean energy jobs since the passage of the IRA. Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma, California, and Texas are home to the largest number of new clean energy jobs in Native American communities.
• In Asian/Asian American communities, there are 28 new clean energy projects, spurring $8.2 billion in investment and 14,303 new clean energy jobs since the passage of the IRA. Nevada, New York, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas are home to the largest number of new clean energy jobs in Asian/Asian American communities.
• In Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander communities, there are 40 new clean energy projects, spurring $48.7 billion in investment and 33,397 new clean energy jobs since the passage of the IRA. Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Rhode Island, and Tennessee are home to the largest number of new clean energy jobs in Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander communities.