GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Climate Action Campaign will host a virtual news conference Friday afternoon to celebrate increased investments in the state's agriculture industry.
A spokesman says passage of the Inflation Reduction Act means Michigan's agricultural producers and rural communities will have the resources needed to expand conservation programs and boost clean energy.
Dignitaries scheduled to speak at the 2:30 pm press conference include: Third District Congresswoman Hillary Scholten; State Representative Phillip Skaggs; Kent County Commissioner Monica Sparks; Bob Thompson president of the Michigan Farmers Union and Rex Schultz, vice president of the Michigan Blueberry Advisory Committee.
According to a news released from the host organization:
"Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act means Michigan’s agricultural producers and rural communities will have the resources to be part of the climate solution while boosting their economic potential. Included in the IRA was nearly $20 billion for farms to help expand already existing conservation programs along with another $14 billion to support clean energy development in rural communities."
In addition to touting the tangible benefits realized in the law, speakers will also urge federal leaders to not only reject efforts to scale back investments in climate — as some have suggested — but to further expand on them. According to the news release, that will "reduce carbon pollution to the levels scientists say are necessary to mitigate the dire effects of climate change."
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