Remarks for the SMART Leadership Conference, As Prepared for Delivery
Michael Regan, EPA Administrator
Washington, DC
Thank you, General President Coleman, for that kind introduction, and for inviting me here to speak to you today.
It’s an honor to join you all today at the 2023 SMART Leadership Conference.
I’d like to express my gratitude to SMART for your tireless efforts to protect and empower workers across this country.
By working on smart and innovative climate technology and solutions, and advocating for strong environmental legislation, SMART members are on the frontlines of our nation’s efforts to build a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable future for all.
And your advocacy and support for President Biden’s transformative vision for our nation has led to important climate victories like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
Thanks to the leadership of President Biden, EPA has been entrusted with deploying over $100 billion dollars in resources into communities across America.
President Biden and EPA know that addressing the climate crisis is an opportunity for America to rebuild our infrastructure, power the nation with clean energy, and create new jobs that put people back to work – since President Biden took office, over 800,000 manufacturing jobs have been created.
Economic growth driven by investments in renewable energy and clean transportation supports a brighter and more sustainable future.
And the Inflation Reduction Act unlocks a surge of financial incentives to catalyze billions in private investment in clean energy solutions, creating millions of good paying, union jobs.
We’re moving swiftly to get this historic funding into communities across America. We know that if we want a clean economy, we must invest in the workers who will carry out this transition.
At EPA, we’re pushing ourselves to think creatively and ambitiously about creating high-quality jobs for a diverse and skilled American workforce.
We’re advancing the deployment of clean energy technologies like solar, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create good-paying union jobs.
We’re delivering tens of millions of dollars to communities to improve indoor air quality, and are working with American manufacturers to advance the next generation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technology.
We're revolutionizing how students get to and from school by investing billions of dollars to help school districts switch to electric school buses, many of which have been manufactured by SMART Union members.
We’re joining forces with the Department of Labor and Department of the Interior through the Good Jobs Initiative to put workers first and ensure that all communities can participate in the clean energy transition.
And we’ve even updated our master grant terms and conditions to make clear that if you receive a grant…you can’t use EPA funds to oppose union organizing.
Together – these programs and so many more made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda – are creating good-paying union jobs and building a clean energy economy that works for everyone.
And that’s what Bidenomics is all about. President Biden believes that the best way to grow the economy is by building up the middle class and empowering our workers.
He came into office with a plan to fundamentally change the trajectory of our economy so that it grows from the middle out and bottom up – not the top down.
And supporting unions is central to that mission.
In the development and implementation of every EPA program or rule-making, we are making sure that labor is involved from the very beginning.
Because, folks – collaboration and partnership are key to achieving our collective goals.
I know for certain that the most effective way to craft resilient and lasting solutions is to bring all stakeholders to the table, examine an issue from all sides, and strive to reach a consensus.
We need to hear from you, we need to lean on you, and we must continue to work alongside you.
Addressing the climate crisis is certainly a massive undertaking, but it’s also an opportunity – unlike ever before – to work together to achieve a healthier and more equitable world.
So, we need your input, your expertise, and your leadership to determine how to mobilize these unprecedented resources, so that we can effectively address the environmental challenges we face, and treat our workers with the dignity and respect they deserve.
As we work together to create a more sustainable and more equitable future, I promise you that workers' voices and perspectives will be heard and reflected in our work and decision-making.
I couldn’t be more optimistic about the future of our environment, the future of our workers, and the future of America under the leadership of President Biden.
Thanks again for inviting me to join you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the conference!