Omnibus Bill Provides Important Funding for Environmental Programs, New Infrastructure Law

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

The FY22 omnibus appropriations package contains crosscutting federal resources central to the creation of high-quality clean energy jobs for workers, and finally allows our nation to break free from years of Trump-era budget cuts at critical environmental agencies. As a result of this funding bill, the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, and Department of the Interior will see notable budget increases. Especially laudable are increases in environmental justice funding at EPA and increased funding at DOE for development of clean energy technologies.

Unfortunately, to reach a bipartisan agreement, the bill also includes some anti-environmental policies that thwart common-sense pollution controls and undermine climate science. 

“The current global humanitarian, health, economic, and climate crises demand major investments in clean, cheaper, American-made energy and moving away from our dependence on oil and gas,” said Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President at EDF. “This funding bill is a useful step forward, but Congress needs to act on the major clean energy package it is considering.

“While not a perfect bill, the bipartisan agreement will boost funds to protect our environment and spur job growth in new and existing industries. We are grateful for the leadership of Chairs Leahy and DeLauro, Vice Chairman Shelby and Ranking Member Granger. We urge Congress to continue the momentum and move forward on major clean energy investments that will benefit and protect public health, advance environmental justice, and create a strong, secure future for the next generation.”