Climate Power and Wisconsin Conservation Voters Celebrate Benefits of Inflation Reduction Act for Wisconsin, Young People, and Latinos During VP Harris' Thursday Milwaukee Visit

MILWAUKEE – On Thursday, Climate Power and Wisconsin Conservation Voters celebrated the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act during Vice President Kamala Harris’ Wisconsin visit. Harris was in Milwaukee Thursday to meet with local Latino leaders and engage with young Americans.

Harris’ visit to the Badger State comes weeks after President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes the biggest investment into clean energy in U.S. history.

The Inflation Reduction Act represents a big win for Wisconsin. The historic new law makes the largest investment in our nation’s history to address the climate crisis, creating good-paying, union jobs in wind, solar, and electric vehicle manufacturing. It will also lower energy bills for Wisconsin’s working families and supports environmental justice.

Recent polling from New Data for Progress in Wisconsin finds that nearly two-thirds of Wisconsin voters support the Inflation Reduction Act, and an even larger majority want Governor Tony Evers to ensure that Wisconsinites benefit from federal climate and clean energy funds.

• The Inflation Reduction Act enjoys a +36-point margin of support among Wisconsin voters. This includes nearly all Democrats (91 percent) and over two-thirds of Independents (68 percent). Even 41 percent of Republicans in the Badger State back the bill.
• Seventy-two percent of Wisconsin voters — including majorities of Democrats (92 percent), Independents (72 percent), and Republicans (56 percent) — want Evers to fight for federal climate and clean energy funds that can be used for projects in Wisconsin.
• Sixty-five percent of Wisconsin voters would like to see the state produce more energy from clean energy sources, including 88 percent of Democrats, 69 percent of Independents, and a 44 percent plurality of Republicans.

The Inflation Reduction Act Helps Latino Families Achieve The American Dream By Decreasing The Cost Of Living, Creating Jobs, Boosting The Economy, And Cleaning Our Air.

The Inflation Reduction Act delivers needed help to Latino families impacted by extreme weather events driven by climate change.

• It helps make Latino homes and businesses become more energy efficient and more resilient to extreme weather while also reducing costs.
• It includes historic investments in environmental justice.
  
• Latino businesses, workers, and families will benefit from the billions of dollars invested in manufacturing and expanding clean energy.

Young Voters Overwhelmingly Support the Inflation Reduction Act and Bold Actions to Address Climate Change

In 2018, youth turnout was double what it was in 2014 and helped deliver House and Senate seats to Democrats in states that are top battlegrounds this year, like Wisconsin. Young people's participation at the polls and through activism rocketed climate action to the top of the Democratic agenda.

In 2020, young people proved they have the power to move elections when they make their voices heard on the most urgent issue of its generation. They played a significant role in electing a Democrat in the White House and Democratic majorities in the House and Senate that delivered on the Inflation Reduction Act, the most aggressive action to tackle the climate crisis in our nation’s history.

• The law will bring down energy costs for families and create thousands of good jobs, all while reducing climate pollution and ensuring that we have a clean, secure future energy supply.
• Whether living in university housing, sharing an apartment, or staying home, young people can take advantage of the $9 billion in consumer home energy rebate programs.
• The new law puts us on a path to 40% emissions reduction by 2030 while restoring U.S. credibility to lead climate action on the global stage.

Still, polling shows most young voters haven't heard much about the historic climate investments in the Inflation Reduction Act

Climate Power is committed to motivating young people to turn out to the polls. That includes educating young people about the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate benefits and giving them the tools they need to make their voices heard. Young people can play a decisive role in influencing the Wisconsin governor's race, Senate race, and control of Congress.

Ryan Billingham, Communications Director, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, 608-208-1129 (office), 608-213-6972 (mobile/text), or ryan@conservationvoters.org