Washington, D.C. — Ahead of President Biden’s speech on the American Jobs Plan, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) issued the following statement from President Gene Karpinski:

“Today is a great day for jobs, justice, and climate action. Elections have consequences and the importance of this administration calling for historic investments to tackle historic crises cannot be overstated. We commend President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the all-star team of climate and environmental justice champions throughout the administration for putting forth a presidential agenda to build back better that will get millions of people back to work in new good-paying, union jobs in the clean energy economy while tackling climate change and environmental racism. This is only the beginning and we look forward to working with the administration and Congress to make sure the plan meets the scale of the crises we face with the big investments needed to build back better with justice and equity.

“Investments in clean energy deployment and expanded domestic manufacturing to achieve 100% clean power by 2035 are central to the American Jobs Plan and must create new, good-paying union jobs here in the U.S. Additionally, the American Jobs Plan’s Justice40 commitment to ensure that 40 percent of all investment benefits are directed to frontline communities and communities of color are a critical component of ensuring our nation’s recovery rebuilds a more equitable society. We are also encouraged to see the president’s large scale commitment to electric vehicle infrastructure, including a solid start with a ‘Clean Buses for Kids Program’ at the EPA — our children, especially in low-income communities and communities of color who are exposed to the most air pollution, have a basic right to breathe healthy, clean air and deserve prioritization. And the president’s front and center commitment to providing clean, safe, affordable water to everyone, no matter their zip code, race, or income, is critical to creating healthy and thriving communities.”

Yesterday, LCV’s SVP of Campaigns Pete Maysmith released a memo on why centering clean energy, justice, and jobs in our economic recovery is both good policy and good politics.

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