Bill from Reps. Chu and Panetta Would Expand AmeriCorps to Address Climate Change, Advance Environmental Justice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Reps. Judy Chu and Jimmy Panetta introduced legislation this week which would help empower communities to withstand and adapt to climate change. The bill would also advance important environmental justice goals. The Climate Resiliency Service Act of 2021 — the companion bill to Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s Senate legislation — would amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to establish a climate resiliency service corps. The civil society program would engage and empower workers to carry out national service projects that improve community adaptation, mitigation, preparedness and recovery from natural disasters and other climate impacts.

“Fighting climate change, building resilience in our communities and creating jobs are all essential to America’s future,” said Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President for Political Affairs. “This bill will help advance real, practical solutions to climate impacts in communities around the country. Critically, it will bring resources to underserved, frontline communities that already face the worst impacts of climate change.”

“EDF thanks Reps. Chu and Panetta and Sen. Cortez Masto for their leadership in advancing solutions that create jobs, center equity and prepare our communities for the impacts of climate change.”

Background

Among other highlights, this legislation would:

● Establish an environmental justice task force involving local elected officials, educators, community leaders and others to help prioritize projects that benefit communities bearing a disproportionate burden of environmental, public health and broader social injustices.

● Create a Climate Careers Network, a coordinated effort with multiple federal agencies to establish a database of clean energy economy jobs, both for corps service members and the general public. The network would also connect labor organizations, employers, non-profits, higher education institutions and other organizations to clean energy job opportunities.

● Provide an opportunity for participating states to enhance their communication and coordination on climate-related emergencies and disasters with other states.