CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Vice President Kamala Harris made another trip to Charlotte Thursday to discuss the White House's historic investment in climate action under the Biden administration.
Harris was joined by EPA Administrator Michael Regan, who is a native North Carolinian. Gov. Roy Cooper, Rep. Alma Adams and Mayor Vi Lyles were also part of Thursday's event. This week's stop marks the fourth trip to North Carolina for Harris this year. Harris and President Joe Biden were in Raleigh last week to promote the expansion of Medicaid, lowering prescription costs for seniors and expanding the Affordable Care Act.
During her remarks, Harris addressed maternal mortality rates in the U.S., saying 45 states have moved to expand Medicaid to include 12 months of post-partum care instead of two months. She also discussed abortion rights and the impact anti-abortion legislation has had on millions of American women.
In Charlotte on Thursday, Harris announced the winners of $20 billion in awards that will fund tens of thousands of climate and clean energy projects nationwide. The investment is part of the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which is a $27 billion program funded through President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, according to the White House.
All eight grant recipients are nonprofit lenders that Harris said will ensure the money goes to the right clean energy projects in their communities.
Self-Help is a nonprofit lender in Charlotte that has helped renovate nearly 50 homes in Grier Heights to be more energy efficient. The group is getting a cut of the grants to expand its mission to 30,000 homes nationwide.
On Thursday, Harris visited Grier Heights to see the project's work firsthand. She said reducing monthly energy costs, especially in disadvantaged communities, changes lives.
One man told her the money he saves from the renovations can now be used to pay for childcare and build generational wealth.
"He said he and his spouse can now put aside at least $50 a month for each of their sons for their savings account," Harris explained during her speech. "So, let’s think about what this means. Yes, we talk about cutting energy costs, but when we talk about real people and their dreams and aspirations, this is a big deal."
Experts believe the Tar Heel State will be a pivotal battleground in November's general election.
Biden is expected to face former President Donald Trump in a rematch of the 2020 election. Both candidates have won enough primary elections to receive their respective parties' nominations. It will be the first presidential election rematch since the 1950s.
Flashpoint is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. Listen to the podcast weekly.
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