August 31, 2022
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Speaker Pelosi visits Boulder County to discuss landmark climate change legislation
Inflation Reduction Act will supercharge local climate action
Boulder County, CO — Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited Boulder’s National Center for Atmospheric Research on Wednesday, August 31 to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act at a roundtable discussion attended by Boulder County.
The Inflation Reduction Act passed earlier this month and includes the U.S.'s largest ever investment to fight climate change, with approximately $370 billion committed to climate action, resilience, and innovation.
Speaker Pelosi joined Congressman Joe Neguse to discuss how the act will impact scientific research and local climate action efforts across the country. Dr. Susie Strife represented Boulder County.
“This legislation is the opportunity that Boulder County has been waiting for to scale up our programs to meet our climate goals and build the climate resilience we desperately need,” said Dr. Strife, Boulder County Director of Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience.
“Local governments will be central to these efforts, as they’ll be responsible for many of the projects this legislation will fund,” Dr. Strife continued. “Like Boulder County, communities across the country are experiencing the catastrophic impacts of climate disasters. We have a lot of work to do, and we are grateful for our national and scientific community partnerships.”
“The Board of County Commissioners would like to thank Speaker Pelosi for convening today’s discussion on the Inflation Reduction Act and its impact on climate action with local government, national lawmakers, and the world's top scientists right here in Boulder County,” said Board of County Commissioners Chair Marta Loachamin. “Our residents have experienced the real and devastating effects of the climate crisis and Boulder County remains committed to taking action through bold initiatives. We look forward to continued partnership as we build the energy transition and climate resilience that will be supercharged by this legislation.”
“Colorado’s nationally-renowned federal labs are a key driver of economic growth for our state, and I was honored to host Speaker Pelosi to tour these research facilities and see Colorado innovation at work," said Congressman Neguse. "Through the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act, we are making significant investments in scientific research and clean energy that will benefit Colorado for decades to come. I was proud to play a role in the passage of the historic legislation, and to join Speaker Pelosi today in highlighting impact this legislation will have on our collective effort combatting the climate crisis.”
The Board of County Commissioners attended the event where Dr. Strife represented Boulder County as a subject matter expert during the discussion with Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Joe Neguse, and scientists from the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), and the National Weather Service.
Background
Boulder County residents are experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis in the form of high heat days, extreme weather, drought, poor air quality, and devastating wildfires. As a global leader in climate action, Boulder County is committed to the radical transformation needed to meet this challenge. Through programs and policies that foster innovation, coalition-building, and equitable outcomes, Boulder County is cutting emissions, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and supporting systemic change to fight the climate crisis.
Boulder County engages with the Colorado regulatory process on oil and gas, regional haze, transportation, greenhouse gas, and ozone rulemakings and advocates for Colorado state legislation to reduce GHG emissions and help Coloradans avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
In 2018, Boulder County, San Miguel County, and the City of Boulder filed a lawsuit against two oil companies that bear significant responsibility for climate change. The communities are demanding that Suncor and ExxonMobil pay their fair share of the costs associated with climate change impacts on local governments so that the costs do not fall disproportionately on taxpayers.
Congressman Joe Neguse, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Dr. Susie Strife at a roundtable discussion on the Inflation Reduction Act in Boulder, Aug. 31, 2022.
Mission of the Office of Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience
Our mission is to advance policies and programs that conserve resources, protect the environment, and safeguard our climate in order to build a sustainable, just, and resilient community.