The Omnibus Bill Provides Critical Funding for Environmental Programs and New Infrastructure Law

(Washington, D.C., March 11, 2022) EDF today thanked congressional leaders for passing funding legislation which supports implementation of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and increases funding to key environmental programs.

The FY22 Omnibus Appropriations package includes federal resources that are cross-cutting and central to the creation high-quality clean-energy jobs for workers. It also finally allows our nation not to be subject to years of Trump-era budget reductions at crucial environmental agencies. This funding bill will result in significant budget increases for the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy. It is especially laudable that the DOE has increased funding for clean energy technologies development and has increased environmental justice funding at EPA.

To reach a bipartisan agreement, however, the bill includes anti-environmental policies that undermine climate science and thwart common-sense pollution control measures.

Global crises of health, climate, and humanitarian need major investments in American-made energy.Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice-President at EDF. While this funding bill is a positive step forward, Congress must act on the major clean-energy package it is considering.

The bipartisan agreement, while not perfect, will increase funds to protect our environment as well as spur job growth within existing industries. We are grateful to the leadership of Vice Chairman Shelby, Ranking Member Granger, Chairs Leahy & Delauro. We urge Congress to maintain the momentum and invest in major clean energy projects that will benefit the public and protect their health, advance environmental justice and create a secure future for the next generation.