FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2021
CONTACT
Faith Harris, Co-Director, Virginia Interfaith Power and Light
804-920-3761, fharris@vaipl.org
Faith Leaders and Community Organizers Hold Environmental Justice Town Hall
Community town hall on the environmental justice components of President Biden’s call to Build Back Better with climate, justice, jobs, and care.
RICHMOND, Virginia – Virginia Interfaith Power and Light hosted a community town hall with faith leaders and community organizers in order to discuss the environmental justice aspects of President Biden’s call to Build Back Better: Climate, Justice, Jobs, and Care priority agenda.
President Biden recently proposed $3.5 trillion Build Back Better infrastructure priorities focused on infrastructure, healthcare, economy, climate, and creating jobs. This bill 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 Administration’s infrastructure priorities have the potential to be a gamechanger for frontline and rural communities, spurring economic growth and raising environmental standards for all Virginians as well” said Faith Harris, Co-Director for Virginia Interfaith Power & Light.
“I have been honored to work with the Biden administration during this crucial period to Build Back Better. As we continue our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, we must advance innovative policy solutions that promote economic growth, create new jobs, and address the climate crisis,” said Rep. McEachin (VA-04). “I enjoyed joining Virginia Interfaith Power and Light to discuss President Biden’s priorities, my efforts in Congress, and our shared values for the future.”
The Justice40 portion of the priorities is the first targeted investment to address frontline environmental justice communities hardest hit by environmental harms, economic disinvestment, and climate change. The Build Back Better priorities invest in rural communities and communities impacted by the market-based transition to clean energy. “Rebuilding and strengthening our infrastructure starts with equity and ends with justice; ensuring all people benefit in a meaningful and deliberate manner.” said Gary Harris, of the Sustainability Solutions Group (SSG).
“President Biden’s infrastructure package sets aside historic funding to tackle the climate crisis, create green jobs, and make improvements to critical infrastructure. As we analyze this infrastructure package, it is critical that we recognize environmental injustices that plague our country. The infrastructure package is an opportunity to infuse billions of dollars into communities that have historically been disinvested in, and we hope that this package does not continue a pattern of disinvestment in communities of color” said Naadiya Hutchinson, Government and Media Affairs Specialist at We Solar.
As people of faith, Virginia Interfaith Power and Light advocates for frontline communities that have been most heavily burdened by climate change; and, empowers the Commonwealth of Virginia to fight for environmental justice by supporting the Build Back Better infrastructure plan.
For more information, contact Faith Harris at fharris@vaipl.org or 804-920-3761
This event is sponsored by Virginia Interfaith Power & Light.
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About Virginia Interfaith Power & Light: Virginia Interfaith Power & Light collaborates with people of faith to grow healthy communities and advance climate justice through education, advocacy, and worship. For more information, visit https://www.vaipl.org.
