At tonight's State of the Union, President Biden addressed several issues including the economy, COVID, gun violence, racial justice and police reform, immigration, and climate. He spoke to the Inflation Reduction Act as an important investment in combating the climate crisis, the necessity of clean energy infrastructure and resilience to climate disasters, and referenced the need for Big Oil to pay their fair share. He also said that he expects that the United States will continue to "need oil for at least a decade or longer." 

(Photo: 350.org)

READ NEXT: 350.org on House Passage of Inflation Reduction Act 

In response, North America Director at 350.org Jeff Ordower made the following statement: 

"There is no denying that President Biden has made important strides to invest in renewable energy through the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. However, we are not truly living up to real climate solutions if Biden continues to rely on the fossil fuel industry and allow them to pump more oil and gas. Biden casually suggested that the U.S. will 'need oil for at least a decade or longer' - this is unacceptable. As long as the United States continues to green light fossil fuel projects like the ConocoPhillips Willow Project - an $8 billion dollar Alaska drilling project - which would be the largest oil and gas development on federal land - the U.S. will not be able to bring down emissions or meet its targets. 

"President Biden needs to stop approving fossil fuel infrastructure projects, end fossil fuel production on public lands and waters, and declare a climate emergency to truly protect frontline and BIPOC communities and live up to his promises. That's what we expect and that's what we'll continue to advocate for." 

READ MORE: 350.org on Federal Reserve Vice Chair of Supervision Comments on Climate