Washington, D.C. – House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today released the following statement on the Biden-Harris administration’s launch of the American Climate Corps. The new workforce training and service initiative will employ more than 20,000 young people, putting them on the path to careers in clean energy, conservation, and climate resilience. The Biden administration also announced $15 million for the Indian Youth Service Corps yesterday.

“Young people all over the country have made their voices loud and clear—they want climate action, they want a cleaner, more just future, and they stand ready to be part of the solution now,” said Ranking Member Grijalva. “The American Climate Corps will put thousands of young people to work in good-paying jobs that restore our public lands and coastlines and deploy clean energy, all while growing our middle class and advancing environmental justice for all. I’m grateful to President Biden for listening to the younger generations of our country and giving them the kinds of opportunities they deserve.” Earlier this week, Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee Ranking Member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) re-introduced their Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act while also calling on the Biden administration to establish a Civilian Climate Corps via executive order.