CONTACT: Rev. Michael Malcom, revmalcom@thepeoplesjusticecouncil.org, 678-913-7477
For Immediate Release
Birmingham, Ala…The Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Biden this week, is basically a Trojan Horse for dirty, climate- and people-killing oil and gas profiteers, according to leaders of the People's Justice Council (PJC), a Birmingham, Alabama-based, Black-led environmental justice organization. Bypassing the administration’s concerns about emissions, it guarantees new drilling opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. PJC is creating a set of interfaith resources to dump this dangerous side deal and ensure that people and the planet are not sacrificed for profit.
While the Inflation Reduction Act concentrates on clean energy incentives that could drastically reduce overall U.S. emissions, it also buoys oil and gas interests by mandating leasing of vast areas of public lands and off the nation’s coasts. And it locks renewables and fossil fuels together: If the Biden administration wants solar and wind on public lands, it must offer new oil and gas leases first. - AP News
“I am deeply hurt and saddened by the tone-deaf celebrations by many of our allies in the fight for Creation,” says PJC Executive Director Rev. Michael Malcom. “Our inability to center care means that no one gets what they need. This must be acknowledged.
“It’s not just the dirty side deals with the IRA, however,” he adds. “We’re tired of politicians of all parties siding with profiteers placing profit over planet and people. We are creating a set of interfaith resources to dump this dangerous side deal and ensure that people and the planet are not sacrificed for profit. We are also organizing a collaborative effort specifically to ensure that the Gulf South will not be a sacrifice zone as we move From Resilience to Restoration.”
Help the PJC and other concerned parties by showing your support. By adding your signature at https://bit.ly/PJC-NDDC, you will join and strengthen our growing No Dirty Deals collaborative!
“Where your treasure is, your heart is,” says PJC Program and Policy Director Kyle Crider. “Is your money on climate- and people-killing oil and natural gas, or is your money on a safe, clean, renewable energy future for everyone?”
PJC’s vision is to create a just, equitable, and sustainable world that places people and planet over profit. Follow PJC on social media at TheJusticeCouncil on Facebook and @AlabamaPJC on Twitter.