Was the climate law a win for environmental justice?

Also today: California voters back far-right candidates in local elections, and Tokyo wants to build a futuristic city on reclaimed land.

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Environmental-justice advocates are divided on the benefits of Democrats' sweeping climate law for communities that have carried the brunt of environmental pollution. The Inflation Reduction Act, which President Joe Biden recently signed, commits up to $60 billion toward climate-justice causes. But it also promises billions to the oil and gas industries, and will fund carbon capture and sequestration programs that could allow fossil-fuel companies to keep polluting vulnerable neighborhoods nearby. While experts applaud Biden for making one of the largest climate investments in US history, critics say fenceline communities will have to navigate accepting money from the same source that's funding the industries that have historically polluted them — and making sure the potential harms of the bill don't end up outweighing the benefits. Brentin Mock reports today on CityLab: Was the Climate Law a Win for Environmental Justice? It's Complicated  — Allison Nicole Smith  More on CityLab

New Episode of 'Bedrock, USA': An Election Day Reckoning Episode 7 of CityLab's podcast follows the action on Election Day as far-right activists back candidates for school superintendent, county clerk and sheriff in Shasta County, California. (Listen to the episode and subscribe on iHeart, Apple Podcasts, or where you get your podcasts.) A Green Building Technique, Inspired By Fish Food Researchers from the University of Toronto are borrowing from krill biology to develop new technologies to cool down indoor environments. Surprise Visit to NYC's Rikers Island Jail Finds Improvements Three city officials said conditions were better but still dangerous after they toured the troubled facility. Tokyo Wants to Build a Mini-City in its Bay An ambitious project in an unpopulated part of Tokyo Bay aims to build a high-tech, sustainable city-within-a-city on reclaimed land.

What we're reading The homeowner's sunshine problem (The Atlantic)  Austin voters banned homeless people from camping in public spaces. The city is creating housing for them, but not fast enough (The Texas Tribune) Public approval of unions hits 57-year high, polling finds (Truthout) We'll miss you, MetroCard machine (Curbed) Is Biden's goal to build charging stations for electric cars leaving low-income areas behind? (The Guardian)

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