Statement by EDF President Fred Krupp on the American Jobs Plan

(New York, NY, Wednesday, March 31, 2021) – “The President’s American Jobs Plan is the kind of strong leadership we need to rebuild America, create jobs and leave a cleaner and healthier world for our kids. Joe Biden ran on the most ambitious climate, clean energy and environmental justice platform of any presidential candidate in history, and with today’s announcement, he is living up to that promise.

“President Biden’s bold action to invest in clean transportation is one of the biggest steps we can take to move America forward. Manufacturers and delivery companies have made clear they are transitioning to electric vehicles – the question is whether they’ll be made in America or overseas. With this plan, President Biden is standing up for U.S. workers by making the investments we need to win the jobs of the future.

“When we succeed in cleaning up transportation – with zero-emission electric vehicles and charging infrastructure alongside strong pollution safeguards – we’ll have taken a major step toward a stronger economy and a healthier, more equitable America. Zero emission electric trucks and buses, in particular, are key to achieving our goals and we urge bold action on them.

“Transportation is the largest source of climate pollution in the U.S. as well as a significant source of air pollution. These harmful impacts hit low income neighborhoods and communities of color particularly hard. By moving to cars, trucks, and buses with zero tailpipe pollution, the President is protecting the health of millions of Americans — and meeting the climate crisis head on.

“So much needs to be done to help our economy and secure a healthy future for our children and grandchildren. Moving to clean electricity, boosting our defenses against climate induced wildfires, drought and sea level rise through natural infrastructure, plugging abandoned oil and gas wells that pollute our air and water, deploying broadband for farmers and families in rural America and replacing the millions of lead water pipes that harm our children — particularly in overburdened communities — must also be part of the investment agenda. We are pleased to hear the president will take on these challenges as part of his American Jobs Plan and strongly encourage Congress to move quickly on these priorities.

“It’s long past time we made big investments to rebuild this country and our middle class, and ensure cleaner, more resilient and more equitable communities. The American people overwhelmingly support these investments and they support taking strong action on the climate crisis. America wins when we go big – and that’s exactly what the president is doing.”

For more information, visit edf.org.