How Climate Policies Boost Economic Opportunities – Gina McCarthy, Fmr. White House National Climate Advisor & Head of the Climate Policy Office (Biden Admin.), Fmr. EPA Administrator (Obama Admin.)
Release Date: 10/29/2024
Electric Ladies Podcast - Women Leaders Discuss Careers, Trends, Technologies and Innovation in Energy, Climate, and Corporate Responsibility
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“We did lots of infrastructure investments over the last handful of years to make sure our communities are in the best possible place they can be. And we complemented federal investment with workforce investment to ensure Michiganders are getting access to those kinds of roles, some of which didn't even exist previously. [This ensures] that Michigan communities could benefit from learning to be solar installers and get access to new economic income streams.” Hilary Doe on Electric Ladies Podcast The Justice Department is suing Michigan over its climate initiatives under the Clean Air...
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“Blue state pension funds are doubling down on sustainability while red state pension funds are firing you. Companies are challenged because for some constituencies, they have to demonstrate their sustainability credentials, and for others, they have to hide them. So it's a really challenging time. But if you can demonstrate the business case, then maybe you can navigate being more proactive with those constituencies that really want this, and alleviating the risks with those constituencies that don't understand why it matters.” Tensie Whelan on Electric Ladies Podcast Mother Nature...
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“I've been particularly passionate about working with women in those communities to teach them about new techniques so they can understand how to run their farm more effectively, but also understand their rights as women in those communities so they have a stronger voice…. And because they were called an ‘ambassador,’ their status in the village rose.” Alison Ward on Electric Ladies Podcast Have you ever wondered where your shirt really comes from, or where the cotton in your jeans was grown? While the tag might tell you where they were made, it won't tell you where the cotton...
info_outlineHow Climate Policies Boost Economic Opportunities – Gina McCarthy, Fmr. White House National Climate Advisor & Head of the Climate Policy Office (Biden Admin.), Fmr. EPA Administrator (Obama Admin.)
“(People) just have to work with their own local communities….We are talking about $400 billion of investment in the Inflation Reduction Act already captured. That's just two years. This is a 10-year bill…To me, what's most exciting is that the opportunities are real, and you can grab them.…Already 3.4 million families have grabbed Inflation Reduction Act tax breaks, and put solar on their roofs, made their homes more energy efficient, which considerably lowers energy bills for those families. And, when you get into families and communities and people can see and feel the benefits, that's when it's going to take off. And so I'm seeing that happening already, but we're also recognizing that we just have a, a wealth of broader opportunities available.” Gina McCarthy on Electric Ladies Podcast
In this year’s historic election, many people may be confused about how climate policy relates to the economy – or they may think it’s only an economic drain. But it turns out that climate and energy policy are huge economic drivers. How?
Listen to Gina McCarthy, fmr. White House National Climate Advisor & Head of the Climate Policy Office and fmr. EPA Administrator in this enlightening conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson live from the Democratic National Convention. They also share insightful career advice.
You’ll hear about:
- How do the Inflation Reduction Act & Infrastructure Investment Act create economic growth?
- How can regular people, homeowners and small businesses seize opportunities in the IRA, no matter what state they’re in? (McCarthy offers tips & explains where the money is going so far.)
- How will Vice President Kamala Harris address climate change and clean energy? Why doesn’t she talk about it more?
- Where the funding and incentives are for training in these new climate- and clean energy-related industries and fields.
- Plus, insightful career advice, such as…
“My advice would be to look for a career path that makes you happy. One that makes you feel like when you got home, you did something….and I would be open to many different things…I don't think women should pigeonhole themselves. I think they should look for stretch goals. Go into something you didn't do before, and it will excite you to learn….I just want women to consider something new and different. I want them to have the courage to say, ‘I can do this.’” Gina McCarthy on Electric Ladies Podcast
Read Joan’s Forbes articles here.
You'll also like these episodes: (some may be recorded under our previous name, Green Connections Radio)
- Rachel McCleery, Senior Advisor, Treasury Dept. Inflation Reduction Act Program, on how to leverage the IRA to save money reducing a building or business’s energy use and carbon footprint.
- Vanessa Chan, Ph.D., Chief Commercialization Officer of the Department of Energy and Director of the Office of Technology Transitions, on the Inflation Reduction Act and the transition to clean energy.
- Polly Trottenberg, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation, on the transportation revolution taking place.
- Heather Boushey, Member National Council of Economic Advisors and Chief Economic of the Invest in America Cabinet, in the Biden Administration, on climate and energy policy and the economy, and the Inflation Reduction Act & Infrastructure Investment Act.
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