After one of the most ambitious investments in climate and energy in U.S. history was signed into law, Samuel Cooper ’24 was curious how New England would benefit compared to the rest of the country. The environmental science major assessed the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a 10-year, $370 billion plan that creates opportunities to hire workers, manufacture equipment, and lower household energy costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving livelihoods.
“It’s about trying to get a better and breathable planet.”
For his honors research capstone, Cooper evaluated the IRA’s rollout in New England, particularly the magnitude and geographic distribution of projects funded. He began his three-part study by summarizing the massive document, which contains 134 provisions.
Next, he analyzed which cities and towns in the six New England states received funding. From there, he examined specific case studies. The purpose was to determine which localities have benefited most (or have been better positioned to benefit) and suggest how to remove barriers to effectively implement the provisions within the IRA.
“How do we reduce emissions? How do you understand how the climate system works? What are the best solutions? We talk about that in geography, in environmental science and policy, in economics, and in physics,” he says. “All these questions intersect. Fundamentally, it’s about trying to get a better and breathable planet, trying to improve the economy, trying to improve people’s livelihoods, and, ultimately, some semblance of social justice. That’s what I’ve always cared about, and it’s why I came to Clark and why I did this project.”