The United States Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act Sunday, Aug. 7, paving the way for historic climate change action and major changes to the Affordable Care Act.
The bill still needs to clear the House of Representatives, where it is projected to pass on Friday, the Washington Post reported.
Here is how the historic provisions would affect California and Mendocino County residents.
The Inflation Reduction Act dedicates around $370 billion to tackling climate change, the largest spending share of the bill, Vox reported. Nearly $13 million will go toward drought resiliency, wildfire prevention and ecosystem restoration in California, according to a fact sheet released by Sen. Alex Padilla’s (D-CA) office.
“Today, Senate Democrats delivered on bold and transformative legislation that will lower costs for working families and make the largest investment in history to combat the climate crisis,” Padilla said in a statement Sunday. “I’ve worked closely with my Senate colleagues to ensure the Inflation Reduction Act builds on California’s climate leadership by putting our country on a path to dramatically reduce emissions over the next decade, while lowering energy costs and improving air quality in disadvantaged communities.”
About $5 billion of that money will go toward supporting fire-resilient forests, forest conservation and urban tree planning. Nearly $1.8 billion will be dedicated to reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfires, such as the Mendocino Complex Fire of 2018 that burned for more than three months.
Around $2.6 billion in grants will go toward conserving and restoring coastal habitats. $4 billion will fund drought resiliency efforts in western states facing long-term droughts, with priority for the Colorado River Basin in Southern California.
In another effort to tackle climate change, the Inflation Reduction Act will dedicate $9 billion in California for consumer home-energy rebate programs focused on low-income households to make homes more energy efficient. The rebate programs will focus on making heat pumps, solar panels, electric HVAC, water heaters and electric appliances more affordable.
It will also provide a new consumer tax credit of up to $4,000 for middle and lower-income people to buy used clean vehicles. The specifics of these programs, eligibility, and how to apply for them will be determined and publicized in coming months.
The bill will dedicate $30 billion in tax credits to accelerate domestic production of solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries, in an effort to invest in a greener economy.
The bill also extends the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021’s healthcare premium tax credits used by 1.7 million low- and middle-income Californians for three more years, keeping health premiums low. Had the tax credits expired, an estimated 220,000 Californians might have been forced to drop their coverage. Consumers should be aware that rates will continue to increase in 2023, though not as drastically.
Corporations will see stricter tax enforcement that is estimated to generate billions of dollars. Corporations that make more than $1 billion will be required to pay a 15% minimum tax. A 1% tax will be applied to corporations that purchase shares of their own stocks, which is estimated to generate around $73 billion, Vox reported.
The full text of the bill can be found here. More information about the final cost will be available from the Congressional Budget Office shortly.
Note: Lucy Peterson covers local government and policy for The Mendocino Voice in partnership with a Report For America. Her position is funded by the Community Foundation of Mendocino, Report for America, & our readers. You can support Peterson’s work with a tax-deductible donation here or by emailing [email protected]. Contact Peterson at lucy@mendovoice.com or at (707) 234-5291. The Voice maintains editorial control and independence.
Everyone will look back on this, in oh about a year or less, and all they will remember from it is the 87,000 IRS tax auditors who were hired. The Congressional Budget Office says it won’t reduce inflation (as did Bernie Sanders). So I would give it a more fitting name: The IRS Agent Act. Don’t believe for a minute the lie that they will only go after those making over $400,000. That would be only 1 percent of the taxpayers. They will also go after the middle class because that’s where the money is. They will also go after low income people who fudge their taxes to try and keep a little of their money. Big Government Socialism is coming like a runaway train.
“Inflation Reduction Act,” LOL – HA HA HA HA.
More like Inflation EXACERBATION Act. Not a single thing in it will reduce inflation, and, actually, it will make the situation worse.
Isn’t it interesting how if you lie to a government agent, it’s a felony, but when the US Government lies to you, it’s “public policy”?
If there is anyone out there who actually believes the taxes and spending in this legislation will help to decrease inflation I have connections to a great investment for you…in a green energy solar panel company… called Solyndra.
One final thought. Somewhere within the 87,000 new IRS agents there must be at least one who will answer the phone when you call the IRS for help on a tax issue. If you call them you will be put on hold for about 30 minutes and then a recording comes on that says they are busy and to call back tomorrow, then it hangs up on you. Also I hope 80 Billion dollars going to the IRS funds another agent to work on my 2019 refund. Am I asking for too much?