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By Shanteya Hudson
August 13, 2024
Thursday marks the two-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act and Georgia leaders with Elected Officials to Protect America are reflecting on its benefits.
On Monday, state leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the legislation’s effect on reducing carbon emissions, creating jobs and boosting Justice40 communities.
Donya Sartor, mayor of Jonesboro, said Georgia alone has received $219 million to start energy rebate programs and lower energy bills statewide. She pointed out it has been key in helping a local school district to transition to clean energy for its transportation.
“Clean energy buses mean less headaches, less dizziness, less nausea,” Sartor observed. “Also, it doesn’t trigger the asthma attacks because they’re not inhaling the nitrogen oxide that’s given off by so many of the diesel vehicles.”
She noted for her community, the legislation ensured a person’s ZIP code does not determine access to clean energy. A recent U.S. Department of the Treasury report found most investments have gone to underserved and front line environmental justice communities such as Jonesboro.
Yetide Badaki, an actress, writer, and producer on the shows “Star Trek” and “American Gods,” touted the measure’s focus on environmental justice and its potential to create a more equitable future. She stressed the importance of addressing embedded biases and laws to achieve a cleaner future for everyone.
“To achieve equality, we must solve and work for environmental justice for all,” Badaki asserted. “The Inflation Reduction Act’s focus on environmental justice and Justice40 areas is historic, and it puts us on that path.”
According to the Department of the Treasury, the Inflation Reduction Act could generate $5 trillion in global benefits from reduced greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050.