The House Energy and Commerce Committee yesterday passed its budget reconciliation package. The package funds critical infrastructure efforts such as fully replacing lead service lines, improving the energy efficiency of residential and public buildings, removing toxic chemicals from schools, modernizing hospitals, and expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

Additionally, the package invests in automotive and clean technology manufacturing by providing funding for a number of grant and loan programs, including the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program and domestic manufacturing conversion grants to produce EVs and components in the U.S. In response to the passage of the package, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director Jason Walsh:

“This bill will help fill critical gaps left by the bipartisan infrastructure plan. Together these two bills will address long neglected infrastructure priorities—replacing lead service lines, improving energy efficiency, modernizing our schools and hospitals, and more—and put our nation on the right path by taking proactive steps to prepare for the increasing impacts of climate change while also helping to ensure we’re building the clean energy and vehicle technologies of the future here in the United States.

“However, there is always more work to be done. While the funding included in this package is welcome, more must be done specifically to ensure that low-income communities receive adequate funding to improve access clean water, to improve the resiliency of our nation’s electrical transmission lines, and to support efforts to reduce industrial emissions and build clean economy manufacturing jobs in communities nationwide. We look forward to working with leaders in Congress throughout the reconciliation process to ensure these important needs are met.”