MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • August 7, 2022
Early on Sunday, the U.S. Senate voted to pass the‘‘Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,’’ which includes more than $300 billion for energy and climate reform, the biggest federal clean energy investment in U.S. history. All 50 Republican senators, including Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), voted against debating the legislation. Sen. Angus King voted in favor. Vice President Kamala Harris broke the tie allowing debate to proceed. Republicans tried and failed to derail the measure with a nonstop “vote-a-rama” of amendments including one to immediately expand federal leasing of onshore oil drilling projects. The bill calls for reducing U.S. carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 through federal incentives for the manufacture and purchase of electric vehicles and other "green” energy. It now goes to the House, which is expected to approve it.