(Washington, D.C., Tuesday, April 27, 2021) – Tomorrow, President Biden will push for his American Jobs Plan during his State of the Union Address to Congress. Elizabeth Gore, senior vice president, political affairs for the Environmental Defense Fund believes this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for America to drive job growth and the economy, improve our nation’s infrastructure all while being good for our environment and health. She also cautions that oil industry lobbyists may stand in the way—particularly on efforts to transition to electric vehicles.

Elizabeth Gore, senior vice president, political affairs, explains.

SOUNDBITE #1

THE PRESIDENT IS GONNA TALK ABOUT HIS PLAN TO CREATE GOOD PAYING JOBS BY MAKING THE LARGEST INVESTMENT IN THE ECONOMY IN MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS. HE WANTS TO MODERNIZE OUR POWER SECTOR, SO WE DON’T REPEAT THE PROBLEMS THAT WE SAW IN TEXAS. HE WANTS TO INVEST IN CLEAN ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES SO OUR KIDS HAVE CLEANER AIR. HE WANTS TO ELECTRIFY TRUCKS TO REDUCE POLLUTION IN OUR COMMUNITIES. AND HE WANTS TO REPLACE DANGEROUS LEAD WATER PIPES.

SOUNDBITE #2:

OF COURSE, THERE’S GOING TO BE SOME OPPOSITION TO THESE IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS.   FOR EXAMPLE, THE WELL-FUNDED LOBBYING ARM OF THE OIL INDUSTRY HAS A LONG HISTORY OF ATTACKING CLEAN TRANSPORTATION. AND SOME IN CONGRESS HAVE FOUGHT AGAINST CLEAN ENERGY AND UPGRADES TO THE POWER SECTOR.  BUT I THINK IT’S PAST TIME WE STOOD UP FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE AND A STRONGER ECONOMY SO WE NEED TO FIGHT FOR THIS PLAN.

For more information about clean energy and transportation, visit edf.org/powerupamerica.