President Joe Biden is set to commemorate Earth Day with a series of significant announcements aimed at advancing renewable energy and addressing climate change.
Traveling to Triangle, Virginia, Biden will unveil a $7 billion grant funding initiative for solar power under the Inflation Reduction Act and introduce new measures to establish the American Climate Corps, a program widely supported by youth climate organizations.
These initiatives follow closely on the heels of the Biden administration’s recent conservation efforts, including the decision to prohibit oil drilling on nearly half of Alaska’s national petroleum reserve.
Under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All program, funding will be allocated to states, territories, tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits to develop sustainable solar programs tailored to disadvantaged communities.
This investment is expected to benefit nearly one million households, particularly those in low-income areas, resulting in significant annual savings on electricity costs.
Additionally, Biden will announce enhancements to the federal Climate Corps, aimed at providing workforce training and service opportunities in clean energy and climate resilience.
Measures will be implemented to facilitate the transition of Climate Corps members to other federal positions upon completion of the program. Furthermore, a partnership between the administration and TradesFutures will enable Climate Corps participants to access apprenticeship programs offered by North America’s Building Trades Unions.
The president will also highlight the launch of state-based climate corps programs in Vermont, New Mexico, and Illinois, which will focus on conservation efforts and renewable energy projects such as wind and solar development.
Biden’s choice of venue, Prince William Forest Park, holds historical significance as a site developed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps.
Drawing inspiration from Roosevelt’s call to action during the Great Depression, Biden aims to rally the nation to confront the climate crisis and seize the opportunity to foster unity, uplift communities, and propel America forward.
As White House National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi aptly stated, Earth Day serves as a poignant reminder of the collective responsibility to address climate change and embrace the opportunity for transformative action. Through these initiatives, President Biden seeks to galvanize the nation towards a sustainable and resilient future.