OLYMPIA, Wash. – National Democrats passed the $1 trillion Inflation Reduction Act two years ago. Funding from the infrastructure bill is still being implemented across the Inland Northwest, and will continue to roll out into the 2030s.
The bill, which was signed into law Aug. 16, 2022, took place in the midst of a recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a historically low infrastructure assessment rating by the US American Society of Civil Engineers.
With the goal of improving American infrastructure and responding to the millions of dollars were distributed to state, local and county governments.
National parks across the Inland Northwest to make them more resistant to the climate emergency, including North Cascades National Park, Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park.
Rural communities which are far behind urban areas in infrastructural quality, received funding for improving Highways and bridging neighborhoods split by major thoroughfares.
Energy rebates for adopting electric appliances or vehicles have also rolled out in Washington in the past two years backed by Inflation Reduction Act funding.
Similar to President Dwight Eisenhower’s 1956 Federal-Aid Highway Act, the Biden policy will take over a decade to be fully realized, as years of infrastructure projects are planned and completed.
Washington Democrats touted the policy on its two year anniversary, with several policymakers focusing on the climate emergency.
“The Inflation Reduction Act [was] milestone legislation that lowered the cost of prescription drugs and made historic investments in our climate,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal said.
Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell shared similar messages via social media. Biden echoed the sentiments of national Democrats on Friday.
“Across the nation, the Inflation Reduction Act is catalyzing a clean energy and manufacturing boom,” a Biden Administration briefing said.
