Article Summary –
- The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 is significantly benefiting South Texas by promoting investments in clean energy, lowering prescription medication costs, and addressing climate change.
- Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro highlight the IRA’s role in creating jobs, supporting apprenticeships, and providing substantial investments and rebates in clean energy, which positively impacts the local economy.
- The IRA is helping millions of Texans through various initiatives, such as capping prescription drug costs, expanding clean energy jobs, providing home energy rebates, supporting small businesses, and improving air quality.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Two years ago, Nathan Burkhart, VP of entrepreneurship for the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, predicted the Inflation Reduction Act would benefit South Texas.
In a guest column for the Rio Grande Guardian, Burkhart wrote:
“The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will bring new investment in clean energy, healthier communities, and significant progress on climate change. The Act’s $369 billion in clean energy investments makes it the most ambitious climate legislation in U.S. history and a substantial jobs bill. South Texas will lead in wind turbine, solar panel, and electric vehicle production industries.”
In a recent guest column for the Guardian, Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said the Inflation Reduction Act is driving Texas’ clean energy boom, creating jobs, and improving the power grid. He noted the legislation ensures Texas workers are central to the clean energy transition.
“Thanks to IRA funds, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 20 trained over 400 apprentice electricians to install solar panels and batteries in North Texas,” Levy wrote.
Levy highlighted the commitment to creating well-paying jobs and incentives tied to labor standards. Developers get a 30% tax credit by paying workers the federal prevailing rate for wages and benefits and employing a set number of apprentices. This will lift pay and quality of clean energy jobs while expanding career pathways into union careers.
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro shared these bullet points on the Act’s impact:
Benefits for Seniors and Medicare Beneficiaries
4.4 million seniors in Texas will save on prescription drugs due to Biden’s caps on costs.
Job Expansion in Clean Energy
The Act will expand the 238,884 clean energy jobs in Texas, bringing $66.5 billion in investment by 2030.
Home Energy Rebates
Texan families will receive $690 million in home energy rebates to cut energy costs.
Support for Local Manufacturers
With 873,500 workers, Texas manufacturing will benefit from future technology production.
Small Business Savings
3 million small businesses will save through tax credits for energy-efficient improvements.
Electric Vehicle Purchase Incentives
Texans will get discounts for new and used EVs, helping save on fuel costs.
Pollution Reduction and Climate Resilience
The Act aims to reduce pollution, avoid climate impacts, and improve air quality.
Climate-Smart Agriculture
Supports Texas’ 247,000 farms in leading climate solutions.
Affordable Housing Upgrades
The Act will upgrade affordable housing for resilience against extreme weather.
Castro noted the Act faced fierce resistance from Texas Republicans and corporate interests but praised the Democratic leadership for delivering on jobs, healthcare, climate action, and energy cost reductions. “The Inflation Reduction Act means more money in the pockets of working families,” Castro said.
—
Read More Kitchen Table News
