On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, a historic law that includes transformational investments to address the climate crisis, lower costs for working families, and create good-paying jobs. Combined with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these two initiatives represent the largest investments in climate resilience in the nation's history and provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the work of the Department of the Interior (Department).
Overall, the Department will receive $6.6 billion in direct funding through the Inflation Reduction Act. This funding will help bureaus and offices across the Department to transition to a clean energy economy, advance key habitat restoration and land resilience projects, and secure environmental justice for historically disadvantaged communities. That total funding includes a $385 million investment for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for climate resilience and adaptation, fish hatchery needs, and a new Tribal electrification program.
Similar to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department will initiate these investments consistent with the Administration's implementation priorities to:
- Invest public dollars efficiently, work to avoid waste, and focus on measurable outcomes for the American people;
- Increase the competitiveness of the United States economy, including through implementing the Act's Made-in-America requirements and bolstering United States manufacturing and supply chains;
- Improve job opportunities for millions of Americans by focusing on high labor standards for these jobs, including prevailing wages and the free and fair chance to join a union;
- Invest public dollars equitably, including through the Justice40 Initiative, which is a Government-wide effort toward a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits from Federal investments in climate and clean energy flow to disadvantaged communities;
- Build infrastructure that is resilient and that helps combat the crisis of climate change; and
- Effectively coordinate with state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments in implementing these critical investments.
Enclosed in the Dear Tribal Leader letter are fact sheets on the infrastructure programs as well as a framing paper with questions. Please join one of the consultation sessions provided below. In addition, written comments may be sent to consultation@bia.gov by 11:59 pm ET on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.
Invitation
Consultation Materials
Sessions
Comment Deadline
Please submit written comments to consultation@bia.gov by 11:59 pm ET on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.
