Joanna Foster 1 minute read

For one coal miner's daughter, America's biggest ever climate law can't come soon enough

Published:

It's the biggest piece of climate legislation in U.S. history promising nearly $370 billion in clean energy incentives. 

And for Keena Mullins, who comes from a long line of coal mining families, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which President Biden signed into law this week, can't come soon enough. 

 

Remote video URL

 

“We’re on a mission to make sure central Appalachia plays just as important a role in America’s energy future as we did in our country’s past,” says Mullins, who helped co-found a solar installation company in her home state of West Virginia.

The act would provide more than $135 billion in clean energy tax credits to ramp up solar and wind production and energy storage on the grid. By providing at least a 10-year extension on these tax credits the package also gives renewable energy producers such as Mullins the long-term economic certainty they need to build their businesses. 

The bill will be the largest investment in combating climate change ever passed in the U.S.

The only climate stories you need, straight to your inbox

Want more great environmental stories?

Donate to Environmental Defense Fund and get Solutions, EDF's members-only magazine, delivered to your home.