Grounded Podcast: Recent Federal Investments in Energy and Climate

On this episode, Jen Senner joins the podcast to help us understand federal funding (IIJA and IRA) that has been allocated for energy and climate programs in Oregon. Jen is a Federal Grants Officer here at ODOE and does a wonderful job at explaining the background of this funding and how ODOE is working hard to get it in the hands of Oregonians.

Guest Jen Senner and host, Erica Hertzsch (Zeigler), have some laughs during interview.

Congress passed two major pieces of legislation related to investments in energy and climate​, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jo​bs Act (IIJA)​ in 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) ​in 2022. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was introduced into Congress by Representative​ Peter DeFazio on June 4, 2021. Following months of negotiations, the bill ​passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law by Presiden​t Joe Biden on November 15, 2021. President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law on August 16, 2022. The IRA funds investments related to health and medical programs as well as energy and climate programs using various tax measures and grants.