Courtesy photo

RYE – U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined local leaders and climate advocates to celebrate the passage of two historic laws – the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – and highlight how they will cut costs for New Hampshire families, create jobs, fight climate change, ensure healthier communities, and bolster coastal resilience. The group congratulated Pappas and New Hampshire’s congressional delegation for championing these laws, which provide unprecedented investments to cut climate pollution and accelerate the transition to clean energy.

“We are facing a climate emergency that is already impacting our economy and way of life in New Hampshire,” said Congressman Pappas. “The coat of doing nothing is too much to bear. That’s why it’s so important that the Inflation Reduction Act included significant funding for renewable energy development that will create jobs and a more sustainable, resilient future right here in the Granite State.”

“As a research institution in a coastal state, UNH exemplifies our commitment to sustainability through our efforts to tackle complex challenges like climate change, renewable energy, and climate-resilient infrastructure,” said Diane Foster, UNH Director of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering. “The significant funding included in the Inflation Reduction Act for agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Energy will enable critical research related to clean energy technology, ocean and coastal climate change, and the protection of marine habitats. This work will advance our shared understanding of these challenges and their potential solutions as we work towards a clean and sustainable climate and energy future.”

The Inflation Reduction Act provides historic investments in climate, communities, jobs, and clean energy. The new law will bring an estimated $490 million of investment in large-scale clean power generation and storage to New Hampshire by 2030.

“Of all the benefits that clean energy brings to communities, cost savings and job creation have to be among the most impactful and long-term,” said Jamey French, CEO of Northland Forest Products Roache. “Not only will New Hampshire residents be able to breathe more easily, but the transition to clean energy will put more money back in their pockets and create new job opportunities. It’s an absolute win-win.”

In addition to its promise of job growth and lower energy costs, the Inflation Reduction Act will help slash climate pollution in the U.S. by an estimated 40% by the end of the decade, which will significantly improve air quality in the region and protect New Hampshire residents from the detrimental effects of climate change and pollution.

“We know that polluted air harms communities, damages our environment, and devastates our precious natural resources,” said Jim O’Brien, director of External Affairs for The Nature Conservancy. “The thing is, we also know how to fix it. Finally, our climate leaders in Congress have taken bold steps to ensure that we actually can.”

Speakers concluded their remarks by urging the Biden administration to use its authority under existing laws like the Clean Air Act to implement strong solutions for pollution that will help get us the rest of the way to the president’s commitment to cut climate pollution by 50-52% by 2030.