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Trump will name more conservative judges. He may even pick a majority of the Supreme Court; Both sides react as Missouri reverses near-total abortion ban Literacy initiative to implement 250 new early-education activations in PA.

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President Biden asks Americans to turn down the temperature, House Speaker Mike Johnson promises an aggressive first 100 day agenda and Democratic governors vow to push back on Trump's plan for mass deportations.

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Texas women travel some of the longest distances for abortion care, Californians the shortest, rural living comes with mixed blessings for veterans, an ancient technique could curtail climate-change wildfires, and escape divisive politics on World Kindness Day.

Expert recalls AZ IRA investments on its 2nd anniversary

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Friday, August 16, 2024   

Today the Inflation Reduction Act has been law for two years and one expert contended its effects in Arizona have been noteworthy.

Shannon Heyck-Williams, associate vice president of climate and energy for the National Wildlife Federation, said the legislation has catalyzed growth in the clean energy economy. She added the benefits made possible through the measure have led to the creation of thousands of jobs and unleashed billions of dollars in private-sector investments at the state level.

"Much of that is in the new clean energy economy," Heyck-Williams pointed out. "There is solar power as many residents would know, it is expanding very significantly across the state and just in time to meet our climate needs as well as produce that necessary energy."

She noted as the transition to electric vehicles also gains momentum, the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law include investments for EV charging infrastructure. There are currently just over 3,700 charging stations throughout Arizona, according to PlugShare. Since transportation is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, Heyck-Williams said investments in infrastructure are key.

The cost of the climate provisions in the law, at around $730 billion, has drawn criticism since it surpasses what was initially expected. But the Center for American Progress claims over the next decade, the savings made possible through the legislation will exceed the costs.

Heyck-Williams said the law is also helping to lessen the economic burden of energy-efficiency upgrades for homes and businesses.

"It includes credits to help homeowners be able to upgrade their appliances," Heyck-Williams outlined. "To be able to finally afford that new electric vehicle, to be able to replace dirty school buses for their kids with electric, clean school buses."

Heyck-Williams emphasized climate change is already here and is a serious problem communities in Arizona are facing. She argued the major federal investments are critical tools for a cleaner future.

"If they are implemented as planned, they should reduce those emissions by about 40%," Heyck-Williams reported. "Which is significant and puts us on track in the direction that we need to go, to actually get to a midcentury goal of net-zero emissions overall."

Disclosure: The National Wildlife Federation contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Endangered Species and Wildlife, Energy Policy, and Water. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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