“We believe the climate and social investments of the Build Back Better Act will go a long way to strengthen communities in Virginia and across the country making them resilient against severe weather events and climate change.”

– Rev. Dr. Faith Harris, VAIPL’s Co-Director

President Biden has proposed a $1.7 trillion Build Back Better priorities focused on infrastructure, healthcare, the economy, climate, and creating jobs. Build Back Better goes big on climate investments creating the grounding for a sustainable future. It is designed to promote longer-term economic and climate recovery and to energize America’s clean economic future.

The Justice40 initiative is part of the the BBB plan. It carves out 40 percent of federal energy and environmental spending to specifically support disadvantaged communities. It is the first targeted investment to address frontline environmental justice communities hardest hit by environmental harms, economic disinvestment, and climate change. It invests in rural communities and communities impacted by the market-based transition to clean energy. Furthermore, it includes funding to address climate, energy, transportation, housing, workforce training, pollution cleanup and water infrastructure programs.

What Can You Do to Support Environmental Justice? 

We are asking that Senator Warner support the budget reconciliation process and the Justice40 initiative to achieve environmental justice priorities in the Build Back Better Plan. By signing and sharing this petition, you are helping to bring awareness to Build Back Better, and showing our representatives that this act matters to the public.

Call your representative and ask to speak with a legislative aide. Tell them to support the Build Back Better priorities with environmental justice and job-creating clean energy investments. 

Find Your Representative at https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative 

Resources on Build Back Better

Watch our Town Hall on Build Back Better, as well as multiple episodes from our Environmental Justice Now! liveshow, discussing the importance of passing the Build Back Better Act.

Watch our BBB Interfaith Prayer Vigil for the People

VAIPL and faith leaders joined together for a prayer vigil to amplify the importance of the Build Back Better Act and the moral urgency to use federal funding to invest in the lives of everyday people in Virginia. Watch the event by clicking on the videos below.