PROTECT OUR EARTH | SAVE THE IRA

How Quakers can Save the Largest Climate Legislation in US History

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Introduction

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) represents the most significant climate legislation in U.S. history. By preserving this law, we can prevent  gigatons of carbon emissions, stop nearly 1,000 Katrina-scale disasters, and potentially save over a million lives (based on scientifically grounded back-of-the-envelope calculations using the 1,000-ton rule). The IRA has already driven hundreds of billions of dollars in clean energy investments and created hundreds of thousands of new jobs, particularly in districts dependent on federal incentives for economic growth.

However, the IRA is under immediate threat. With a 216-215 Republican majority in the House, flipping just three votes could determine its survival. In August 2024, 18 congressional Republicans signed a letter recognizing the importance of preserving IRA tax credits. This bipartisan crack offers an opportunity for strategic advocacy—an opportunity QEW is uniquely equipped to seize.

 

Why QEW is Positioned to Lead

As Quakers, we are called to care for the Earth and protect life in all its forms. Preserving the IRA is not merely a political act—it is a moral and spiritual imperative, safeguarding Creation and ensuring a livable planet for future generations. By leveraging both our faith community network and data-driven strategy, we have a pathway to make a decisive impact on this legislation.

QEW has already built tools to support this effort. QEW’s augmented IRA congressional district data (built off the work of e2) identifies key regions benefiting from IRA-funded projects. This information has been shared with partners like FCNL (Friends Committee on National Legislation), and we are collaborating with them on a joint lobbying push in February 2025.

Our efforts will also expand and integrate with the QuakerEarth Action Map, bolstering outreach and storytelling while supporting Friends across the U.S. to take action.

The Stakes for 2025

Repealing the IRA would not only roll back emissions reductions but also devastate local economies and job growth tied to clean energy. Preserving it could:

  • Keep billions of tons of carbon out of the atmosphere.
  • Prevent thousands of climate disasters and protect millions of lives.
  • Sustain economic revitalization in small and rural districts where livelihoods now depend on renewable energy projects.

Given the razor thin balance of power in Congress, QEW’s advocacy could be pivotal. One strategically targeted campaign, in one key district, might tip the entire national policy landscape.

Proposed Strategy for 2025

QEW’s approach combines data-driven precision, faith-based mobilization, and grassroots coalition-building. Our goal is to empower Friends and local communities to advocate effectively and decisively. Below is a breakdown of our key initiatives for 2025:

1. Mobilizing Friends in Key Republican Districts

We will prioritize outreach to Friends Meetings in districts where large-scale IRA investments exist. These areas, often rural and economically dependent on federal incentives, have Representatives who can be influenced by constituent power.

  • We will provide repeated outreach, sharing critical resources and direct guidance for lobbying, coalition-building, and storytelling.
  • Friends in these districts will learn how to connect with local businesses, workers, and unions whose livelihoods are tied to IRA projects.

2. Equipping Friends with Toolkits for Effective Action

To ensure widespread, coordinated advocacy, QEW will develop comprehensive toolkits tailored to each district’s needs. These toolkits will guide Friends through:

  • Connecting with local stakeholders: Bosch’s $1.5 billion investment in EV chip manufacturing in Roseville, California, is one example of how IRA projects create high-impact opportunities to engage workers and unions like United Autoworkers.
  • Organizing public events: We will provide guides for hosting Quaker-led rallies, prayer vigils, town halls, and demonstrations.
  • Writing op-eds and media outreach: Friends will receive templates and best practices for submitting op-eds and letters to the editor in local newspapers.
  • Creating localized resource kits: With project-specific data and personal stories, these kits will empower Friends to tell the human stories behind clean energy investments.

3. Expanding the QuakerEarth Action Map

The QuakerEarth Action Map will become a central hub for organizing and storytelling. Through this campaign, Friends Meetings can:

  • Document their use of IRA tax credits for renewable projects like solar installations.
  • Add data on key community projects and connect with other Meetings engaged in advocacy.
  • Share stories of how IRA-funded investments are transforming lives and communities.

This expansion will not only support our lobbying efforts but also inspire more Friends to participate by seeing tangible examples of change.

4. Strengthening Strategic Partnerships

Collaboration will be essential to our success. QEW will deepen our partnership with FCNL, aligning efforts with their extensive Advocacy Team network. We will also work closely with:

  • Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL)
  • GreenFaith
  • AFSC (American Friends Service Committee)

By unifying with other faith and climate organizations, we can amplify our collective voice and increase pressure on key Representatives.

5. Storytelling and Media Impact

At the heart of our strategy is the power of storytelling. Human stories are what ultimately move policymakers and the public. We will collect and share:

  • Testimonials from workers whose jobs are tied to IRA-funded projects.
  • Community success stories showing how investments in clean energy improve health and prosperity.
  • Accounts from Friends Meetings that are using IRA incentives to advance sustainability and climate justice.

These stories will be featured on the QuakerEarth Action Map, in op-eds, and in our broader campaign materials to build a national narrative of hope, urgency, and possibility.

Resources and Next Steps

QEW is already advancing this strategy. Staff are collaborating with FCNL and other partners to organize a major lobbying push in February 2025, focusing on key districts with high-stakes investments like Roseville, California. As part of this effort, we have assembled critical resources for research and advocacy, including:

    • Clean Energy Boom Report (January 2025): Insights on the scope and impact of IRA investments (Read Here).
    • QEW’s IRA District Data sheet: A QEW enhanced spreadsheet detailing all large-scale IRA industrial investment in congressional districts across the country. This is key to our work establishing strategic leverage (Details Here).
    • Trump’s Plan to Rescind IRA Funds: An overview of threats to the IRA (Read More).
  • Quick 2-Pager Graphic Explaining the IRA: (View Here)

IRA Guidebook. A detailed exploration of the IRA bill and what it does for climate, economy, and healthcare. (Read Here)