On Earth Day, Schatz Applauds New Biden Administration Climate Actions To Promote Clean Energy, Protect Public Lands

WASHINGTON – Today, on Earth Day, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement regarding new actions taken by the Biden administration to expand access to affordable solar energy, further promote the development of renewable energy, and protect public lands.

“Buoyed by the biggest climate action in human history with the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden administration is continuing to take significant steps to accelerate the clean energy revolution underway and protect our environment. Delivering affordable solar power to low-income households across the country will not just help cut pollution but will also save Americans money and create hundreds of thousands of good-paying, union jobs. With the newly-announced grants through the Solar for All program, dozens of communities nationwide – including in Hawai‘i – stand to benefit.

“Equally important, rebalancing the use of public lands away from fossil fuels and towards conservation and the development of renewable energy is essential and long-overdue. In particular, streamlining permitting for solar, wind, and geothermal projects on public lands is a critical step towards boosting clean energy production nationwide and achieving our ambitious climate goals. Finally, through President Biden’s American Climate Corps, we’re harnessing the extraordinary enthusiasm of young people on climate by training them in the skills necessary for clean energy and climate resilience jobs and deploying them directly in the fight against climate change.

“Saving the planet for future generations is the fight of our lives. There’s so much more work to do – but every one of these actions moves us closer to a better, cleaner, greener future.”

The Biden administration announced $7 billion in new grant funding for the Solar for All program which will help deliver residential solar power to low-income households across the country. The Hawai‘i Green Infrastructure Authority, part of the State of Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, received $62.4 million as part of the announcement.

The administration also unveiled a slate of new actions and rules including the adoption of categorical exclusions for geothermal energy, actions to protect Alaska Native lands and wildlife, a strategy for the balanced management of public lands, and rules to strengthen accountability for oil and gas operations and promote responsible solar and wind energy development on public lands. In addition, the administration launched a new website for American Climate Corps applicants and announced an apprenticeship program partnership.

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