Tell Congress: no climate action, no deal on infrastructure

Gregg Small

July 7, 2021

President Biden's proposed American Jobs Act presents an unprecedented opportunity for equitable climate progress. If Congress passes this bill, it will become the biggest investment in clean energy infrastructure ever. It will cut carbon pollution, create good jobs, and make major progress on climate justice.

WILL YOU CONTACT YOUR U.S. SENATORS TODAY?

Not surprisingly, lobbyists working with the fossil fuel industry are actively fighting to weaken the Act, reduce spending, and remove critically-needed climate investments, environmental justice commitments, and other key provisions.

Last November, voters made it clear they wanted climate action out of D.C. So today, we have an urgent call for the White House and the U.S. Senate from the scorched Pacific Northwest:

If climate isn't central to federal infrastructure investments, there's no deal. Period.

The Pacific Northwest is responding to the climate crisis by passing new laws and committing billions in new investments to transition away from fossil fuels. Policies passed in Washington State and Oregon, such as committing to a 100% clean grid, serve as a model for federal action. But our federal government needs to act with the urgent leadership this crisis requires.

A failure to address climate change in this federal infrastructure investment agreement would be an environmental, economic, and public health disaster. We ask you to join us in this position and clearly express the urgency of climate investments.

The latest talk in D.C. is about a watered-down, small-scale infrastructure proposal with virtually nothing in it to fight climate change, a major drop down from the ambitions of the original proposal. It is unacceptable.

Click here to tell your senators that our infrastructure dollars should invest to combat the climate crisis.

We all felt the heat this past week across the region. Now it’s time to bring the heat to our U.S. Senate.

Author Bio

Gregg Small

Executive Director, Climate Solutions

Gregg brings more than 30 years of experience working on climate, environmental, and public policy issues, including more than 25 as an Executive Director. At Climate Solutions, Gregg oversees a staff of more than three dozen policy experts, campaigners, innovators, and researchers across Washington and Oregon, providing strategic direction for one of the most effective regional climate and clean economy organizations in the nation. Under his leadership, Climate Solutions and our many allies have successfully passed some of the best climate policies in the United States.

Prior to coming to Climate Solutions, Gregg served as the Executive Director of Toxic-Free Future for 7 years and as the Executive Director of the California-based Pesticide Watch for 5 years. During that time, he played a leadership role in creating and developing a number of leading coalitions working on environmental health issues in Washington state and nationally. At Climate Solutions, he helped to found the Washington-based Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy and Renew Oregon, and has served on the executive committee of multiple statewide climate change ballot measure campaigns including Yes on I-1631 in 2018 and No on I-2117 in 2024.

Gregg began his professional career in 1993 as an organizer for Green Corps, working in Washington, DC, Vermont, and California. He received his B.A. in Political Science from Dickinson College.

When not at work, Gregg spends time with his family and raising awareness about Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease that his son Jude has and that he is passionate about finding a cure for.