The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), signed by President Biden in August, unleashes huge investments aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions quickly. The IRA includes tax credits and rebates for electric vehicles, solar panels, and heat pump appliances for houses. School districts and cities can apply for grants to buy zero-emission buses.
There is also money for actions at the community level. A buried treasure in the IRA is the Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program, which provides $3 billion for projects in neighborhoods with heavily trafficked roads. It will fund upgrades that redesign roads for the benefit of non-auto users, add walking and biking infrastructure, and make it safer to get around without a car.
Do your streets need better sidewalks, protected bike lanes, or central medians for safe pedestrian crossing? From our Local Climate Actions Toolbox, see Protected Bike Lanes or browse Safe Streets, Vision Zero or Complete Streets to find redesign features that would make your streets safer.
If your neighborhood is eligible, gather support and ask your local government to apply for a Neighborhood Access grant to fund upgrades that improve bike and pedestrian safety. This program will be administered by the Federal Highway Administration.