Environmental and Energy Study Institute

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?> <rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"> <channel> <title>Environmental and Energy Study Institute</title> <atom:link href="https://www.eesi.org/rss/all" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://www.eesi.org</link> <description>Environmental and Energy Study Institute's Articles, Briefings, White Papers, Press Releases, and Newsletters.</description> <item> <title> 2025 Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum </title> <pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0400</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[   The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the House and Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (REEE) Caucuses invite you to join us for the 28th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum (EXPO 2025). Top-level speakers will showcase technologies and solutions that reduce carbon emissions, save households money, improve the economy, build resilience, and protect our security interests. The EXPO is free to attend and open to the public. The Policy Forum panels will be streamed live. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/expo2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/expo2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> Towards Healthier Outcomes in Surface Transportation </title> <pubDate>Thu, 10 Apr 2025 15:00:00 -0400</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast Coffee and Light Refreshments Provided The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), the American Public Health Association, and Transportation for America invite you to a briefing about the public health implications of transportation policy. As Congress embarks on the surface transportation reauthorization process, policymakers have the opportunity to revisit federal policies and investments that also shape public health, prosperity, and climate outcomes. This briefing will explore the nexus of transportation, public health, and climate change. Panelists will describe potential negative health outcomes, stemming from issues like air pollution and road crashes. The briefing will also provide policy, process, and funding solutions that weave public health considerations into the surface transportation reauthorization process in a way that benefits both people and climate.   ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/041025transportation</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/041025transportation</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | March 31 - April 4, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2025 18:07:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Reps. Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), Zachary Nunn (R-Iowa), and Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced the New Producer Economic Security Act (H.R.2536/S.1237) to improve new farmers’ access to land, financing, and markets. For more policy solutions to the barriers faced by beginning farmers, check out EESI’s article, “Growing Career Opportunities for Young People in Agriculture.” ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-march-31-april-4-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-march-31-april-4-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> Greening Without Displacement: The USDA’s Urban Forestry Approach </title> <pubDate>Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:36:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The Urban and Community Forestry Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is the only federal program that focuses on preserving and increasing urban green spaces. From tree planting in New Jersey to workforce development in Michigan, the program has supported work in all 50 states. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/greening-without-displacement-the-usdas-urban-forestry-approach</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/greening-without-displacement-the-usdas-urban-forestry-approach</guid> </item> <item> <title> 2025 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook </title> <pubDate>Tue, 01 Apr 2025 15:00:00 -0400</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast Hosted in coordination with the House and Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucuses and the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) invite you to a briefing about the 13th edition of the Sustainable Energy in America Factbook. The Factbook provides valuable year-over-year data and insights on the U.S. energy transformation, featuring an in-depth look at the energy efficiency, renewable energy, and natural gas sectors, as well as transmission, digitalization, microgrids, offshore wind, hydrogen, and renewable natural gas. This year, the Factbook dives into the growing energy demand driven by data centers and artificial intelligence. It examines trends in clean energy supply chains, growth in domestic manufacturing, and the ways in which permitting and siting impact the deployment of renewable energy. Panelists will speak to key takeaways from the 2025 Factbook and what they mean for industries working in all facets of the energy transition. The Factbook, published by BloombergNEF and BCSE, is available to download for free at www.bcse.org/factbook.  ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/040125factbook</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/040125factbook</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | March 24 - March 28, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Mon, 31 Mar 2025 18:55:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The House passed the Innovative Mitigation Partnerships for Asphalt and Concrete Technologies (IMPACT) Act (H.R.1534). Reps. Max Miller (R-Ohio) and Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.) reintroduced the bill to boost American manufacturing of, and demand for, low-emissions concrete, asphalt, and cement. EESI’s briefing, Clean Manufacturing in America, discusses the benefits of bolstering domestic manufacturing of clean energy, energy efficient, and climate-smart components.  ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-march-24-march-28-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-march-24-march-28-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> Climate Change Solutions - March 25, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:08:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-march-25-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-march-25-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | March 17 - March 21, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2025 21:02:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The House Financial Services Committee passed the International Nuclear Energy Financing Act of 2025 (H.R.1474). Reps. French Hill (R-Ark.) and Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) reintroduced the bill to support the creation of a trust fund for nuclear energy assistance at the World Bank and other international financial institutions.  ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-march-17-march-21-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-march-17-march-21-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | March 10 - March 14, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 18 Mar 2025 20:39:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act (H.R.2117/S.1073). The bill would help set new farmers and ranchers up for success by extending crop and livestock insurance discount periods from five years to ten years. For more policy solutions to the barriers faced by beginning farmers, check out EESI’s article, “Growing Career Opportunities for Young People in Agriculture.” Reps. Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.) and Max Miller (R-Ohio) reintroduced the IMPACT Act 2.0 (H.R.2122). The bill aims to boost the competitiveness of low-emissions cement, concrete, and asphalt production in the United States. Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) reintroduced a Senate counterpart, the Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act (S.1067), last week. EESI’s briefing, Clean Manufacturing in America, discusses the benefits of bolstering domestic manufacturing of clean energy, energy efficient, and climate-smart components.  Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) reintroduced the Rural Water System Disaster Preparedness and Assistance Act (S.1019) to strengthen rural water and wastewater utilities’ resilience to extreme weather events. If passed, the bill would provide water utility operators with disaster preparedness training and technical assistance to address system vulnerabilities. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), and David Joyce (R-Ohio) reintroduced the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act (H.R.2145), which would establish a pilot program to improve recycling accessibility in rural communities through state and local partnerships.  ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-march-10-march-14-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-march-10-march-14-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> EESI at 40: Advancing Sustainable Solutions Since 1984 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 18 Mar 2025 14:42:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Since 1984, EESI has worked on a wide range of climate change topics, from pedestrian-friendly cities to coastal community resilience to energy efficiency in buildings to the proper disposal of nuclear waste. EESI was ahead of the curve when it came to recognizing the threat climate change posed. In 1988, EESI declared that “the emergence of the global warming problem creates an imperative for action that cannot be ignored” and urged policymakers to examine all energy policy options through a comprehensive “greenhouse lens” as part of their decision-making. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesi-at-40-advancing-sustainable-solutions-since-1984</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesi-at-40-advancing-sustainable-solutions-since-1984</guid> </item> <item> <title> The Process and Path Forward for a Bipartisan Surface Transportation Bill </title> <pubDate>Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:00:00 -0400</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast. Ready to make a difference in climate policy, but not sure where to start? We have you covered. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to join us for our start-of-the-new-Congress briefing series, Climate Camp. We will review climate science, cutting-edge innovations, and the role of the legislative process in climate mitigation and adaptation. The surface transportation bill reauthorizes federal highway, transit, and rail funding and programs every five years. This final briefing of EESI’s Congressional Climate Camp series will provide a breakdown of everything decision-makers need to know ahead of the bill’s next reauthorization in 2026.  Panelists will describe the transportation bill’s history, including bipartisan cooperation, climate-related provisions, and external stakeholder engagement. Looking ahead, the briefing will explain the general timeline for the reauthorization, the bill’s jurisdiction, and key issues across bill titles. The briefing will also share on-the-ground climate success stories from the most recent reauthorization—the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/031325camp</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/031325camp</guid> </item> <item> <title> Climate Change Solutions - March 11, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 11 Mar 2025 20:38:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-march-11-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-march-11-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> On the Hill in January and February 2025: A Breakdown of Climate, Energy, and Environmental Hearings </title> <pubDate>Tue, 11 Mar 2025 16:13:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Lawmakers kicked off the 119th Congress with a total of 28 climate, energy, and environment-related committee hearings throughout January and February. The House of Representatives held 22 of these hearings, while the Senate held six. Eight of the 22 standing and select House committees and three of the 20 standing and select Senate committees covered climate, energy, and environmental issues, from agriculture and mining to the National Labs and increasing energy production. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/on-the-hill-in-january-and-february-2025-a-breakdown-of-climate-energy-and-environmental-hearings</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/on-the-hill-in-january-and-february-2025-a-breakdown-of-climate-energy-and-environmental-hearings</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | March 3 - March 7, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 11 Mar 2025 15:46:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Sens. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) reintroduced the Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act (S.818) to enhance abandoned well remediation programs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Specifically, the bill would authorize funding for technologies to quickly identify abandoned wells and accurately quantify their methane emissions, and to support effective processes to plug, remediate, and repurpose them.  Reps. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) reintroduced the Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act (H.R.1809). The bill would provide continued funding to the U.S. Geological Survey for research on and protection of the Great Lakes’ native fish populations and habitats.  Reps. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Blake Moore (R-Utah) and Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) reintroduced the Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act (H.R.1871/S.857). If passed, the bill would make it more affordable for homeowners to invest in domestic water conservation and flood prevention measures by exempting them from paying income tax on rebates from water utilities.  Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) reintroduced the Co-Location Energy Act (S.896) to help maximize renewable energy capacity by allowing wind and solar power projects to co-exist on the same federal land leases. Co-location would also minimize the footprint of renewable energy projects.  ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-march-3-march-7-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-march-3-march-7-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> Colorado Cooperative Leverages Federal Resources to Make Rural Households More Energy-Secure </title> <pubDate>Tue, 11 Mar 2025 15:42:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Holy Cross Energy, a rural electric cooperative in Colorado, is committed to reaching 100% renewable energy on its power grid by 2030 and completely offsetting its greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. In 2024, 75% of all energy purchased and generated by Holy Cross was clean, carbon-free energy. With 45,000 electric co-op members, Holy Cross Energy serves small towns in western Colorado, affluent communities in the Vail and Aspen ski resorts, and ranchers in the center of Colorado. To achieve its goals, the co-op is investing heavily in solar and wind energy resources to replace conventional energy sources like coal and natural gas. Because these technologies are intermittent—they only run when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing—Holy Cross Energy is installing batteries to store energy for later use. These batteries are essential to helping the utility move from 75 to 100 percent renewable energy in the next five years. By initially owning and controlling the batteries they finance and install, the utility creates a web of interconnected devices that balances energy supply and demand while allowing for the increased penetration of distributed energy sources like solar energy. Batteries increase grid resilience, cut greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, reduce grid congestion, and empower communities. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/colorado-cooperative-leverages-federal-resources-to-make-rural-households-more-secure</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/colorado-cooperative-leverages-federal-resources-to-make-rural-households-more-secure</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | February 24 - February 28, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:10:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The House passed the Department of Energy and Small Business Administration Research Act (H.R.788). Reps. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.), and Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) introduced the bill to boost joint research activities between the two agencies and the National Laboratories. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) reintroduced the Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act (S.783). If passed, the bill would help rural communities repair and modernize drinking water and wastewater infrastructure by administering accessible loan options through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) reintroduced the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act (S.704/H.R.1565). The bill aims to reauthorize and increase funding for the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). Through grant funding, the program expands access to recreational activities on public lands while working to recover wildlife and restore habitat. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-february-24-february-28-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-february-24-february-28-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> Unleash Your Donor-Advised Fund to Advance Climate Solutions! </title> <pubDate>Tue, 11 Mar 2025 13:27:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Do you have a donor-advised fund (DAF) or charitable giving account? Put it to work for climate change action!  DAFs can be a great way to advance urgently-needed equitable climate solutions–and potentially unlock matching funds to help your grant go further! We are halfway through the decisive decade for climate action—so please consider a DAF gift right now. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/put-your-donor-advised-fund-to-work-for-climate-solutions</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/put-your-donor-advised-fund-to-work-for-climate-solutions</guid> </item> <item> <title> EESI and George Washington University Launch New Scholarship </title> <pubDate>Mon, 10 Mar 2025 20:49:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and George Washington University are delighted to announce Master’s degree candidate Amelia Lindsay-Kaufman as the first recipient of the new Environmental and Energy Study Institute Graduate Fellowship. An anonymous benefactor established a new endowment in EESI’s name to support graduate students at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration of the George Washington University Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. The donor established the endowment in the spirit of EESI’s mission and vision for a sustainable, resilient, and equitable world. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/press-releases/view/eesi-george-washington-university-launch-new-scholarship</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/press-releases/view/eesi-george-washington-university-launch-new-scholarship</guid> </item> <item> <title> Clean Manufacturing in America </title> <pubDate>Wed, 26 Feb 2025 14:30:00 -0500</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast. Ready to make a difference in climate policy, but not sure where to start? We have you covered. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to join us for our start-of-the-new-Congress briefing series, Climate Camp. We will review climate science, cutting-edge innovations, and the role of the legislative process in climate mitigation and adaptation. This briefing will highlight the ways in which onshoring the manufacturing of clean energy, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle components increases American competitiveness, secures U.S. supply chains, and creates jobs. According to the 2024 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook, in less than two years, companies announced more than $123 billion in investments in over 100 U.S. manufacturing facilities as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act. These new domestic manufacturing operations are making a diverse set of products—from solar panels and batteries to computer chips and wind turbines—in locations across the country. Research from E2 finds that these manufacturing plants are expected to create 67,000 jobs in rural areas.  Panelists will discuss how this growth in domestic manufacturing supports the clean energy transition and helps meet increasing demand, all while reinvesting in the communities in which these factories operate. The briefing will also explore recent Congressional actions that spurred this manufacturing boom, as well as possible policy opportunities to leverage the momentum. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/022625camp</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/022625camp</guid> </item> <item> <title> Climate Change Solutions - February 25, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Wed, 26 Feb 2025 14:28:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-february-25-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-february-25-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | February 17 - February 21, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 25 Feb 2025 17:02:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Reps. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) and Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) reintroduced the Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act (H.R.1420). The bill would allow new agricultural lands in California to be enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. The program incentivizes farmers to flood their fields in the off season, which both supports wetland species and improves soil productivity. EESI’s briefing, Conservation Practices from Farms to Forests and Wetlands, explores the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and other opportunities to promote climate-smart conservation. Sens. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) reintroduced the Regional Leadership in Wildland Fire Research Act (S.647) to establish wildland fire research centers at universities across the country. Specifically, the centers would work to develop region-specific modelling and technology to support community fire management. EESI explores other wildfire risk and management tools on this episode of the Climate Conversation podcast. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) reintroduced the Protect the West Act (S.670/H.R.1459). If passed into law, the bill would initiate a suite of restoration funding efforts, including funding for forests and watershed restoration, invasive species removal, wildfire risk reduction, drought resilience, and improved outdoor access — creating millions of jobs in the process. Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) and David Joyce (R-Ohio) reintroduced the Building Native Habitats and Federal Facilities Act (H.R.1500) to promote the incorporation of native plant species into landscaping planning for federal buildings. Under this bill, increased use of native vegetation would support their survival and that of pollinators and wildlife that rely on them, as well as provide ecosystem services such as flood mitigation. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-february-17-february-21-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-february-17-february-21-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> The Colorado River </title> <pubDate>Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:00:00 -0500</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing highlighting strategies for improving the resilience and restoring the health of the Colorado River and its tributaries. The Colorado River basin serves as an essential source of agricultural, residential, and commercial water for communities and tribes in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and California as well as our neighbors across the border in Mexico. However, the river faces severe water stress, resulting in dwindling reservoirs. This water stress, exacerbated by climate change, threatens to degrade the river and jeopardize the ecosystems dependent on it. This briefing will focus on the role of federal policy in supporting stakeholders across the West as they address the impacts of drought and water stress through effective water conservation, measurement, and allocation. Panelists will discuss the importance of collaboration between tribes, industry, communities, and local and federal government to restore river vitality and ensure equitable water availability for generations to come. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/021925rivers</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/021925rivers</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | February 10 - February 14, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 18 Feb 2025 17:16:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), and Dwight Evans (D-Pa.)  reintroduced the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program Reauthorization Act (H.R.1304) to extend federal grants for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program. The program carries out conservation efforts across the river’s watershed, including habitat restoration, increased recreational access, and water quality protection for both ecosystem health and drinking water use.  Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) reintroduced the bipartisan and bicameral Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2025 (S.528). The GLRI supports Great Lakes states, tribes, and communities with funding for projects that address issues like habitat loss, agricultural water pollution, and invasive species. The bill would provide an annual $500 million for the program over five years. Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio) introduced the bill’s House counterpart (H.R.284) in January. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and bipartisan cosponsors reintroduced the Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act (H.R.1355) to reauthorize the Weatherization Assistance Program and establish the Weatherization Readiness Program. The two programs would promote household weather resilience and energy efficiency while lowering energy bills. EESI’s 2024 Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO panel highlighted initiatives across the private sector and federal government to promote energy efficiency. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-february-10-february-14-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-february-10-february-14-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> EESI Impact 23 - February 2025 </title> <pubDate>Fri, 14 Feb 2025 21:55:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/eesi-impact-23-february-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/eesi-impact-23-february-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> Understanding the Budget, Reconciliation, and Appropriations </title> <pubDate>Thu, 13 Feb 2025 15:00:00 -0500</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast. Ready to make a difference in climate policy, but not sure where to start? We have you covered. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to join us for our start-of-the-new-Congress briefing series, Climate Camp. We will review climate science, cutting-edge innovations, and the role of the legislative process in climate mitigation and adaptation. This briefing will explain the processes, rules, and norms that underpin the budget, reconciliation, and appropriations debates happening right now on Capitol Hill. It will explore the relationship between the presidential budget, annual appropriations, and budget reconciliation. Panelists will describe the different stages of the appropriations cycle and how the process interfaces with other legislative activity on the Hill. The briefing will highlight ways Congressional staff—working both on and off the budget and appropriations committees—can engage with the conversations on fiscal year (FY) 2025 appropriations, FY2026 appropriations, and budget reconciliation. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/021325camp</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/021325camp</guid> </item> <item> <title> Climate Change Solutions - February 11, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:32:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-february-11-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-february-11-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | February 3 - February 7, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 11 Feb 2025 17:59:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The House passed the Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act of 2025 (H.R.836). Reps. David Valadao (R-Calif.) and Jim Costa (D-Calif.) introduced the bill, which would mandate a joint study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of the Interior on the use of aerial firefighting technologies to mitigate the spread of wildfires. EESI explores other wildfire mitigation tools on our podcast, The Climate Conversation. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works passed the Strategies to Eliminate Waste and Accelerate Recycling Development (STEWARD) Act of 2025 (S.351). Introduced by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), alongside Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.), the bill would establish a pilot grant program to improve and expand domestic recycling efforts, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The STEWARD Act would also require the agency to collect and report data on domestic recycling and composting rates.  The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works passed the Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S.347), which Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) reintroduced in January. If signed into law, the bill would reauthorize funding for the remediation and redevelopment of contaminated legacy industrial sites, or brownfields. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-february-3-february-7-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-february-3-february-7-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | January 27, 2025 - January 31, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:32:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), alongside Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.), introduced the Strategies to Eliminate Waste and Accelerate Recycling Development (STEWARD) Act of 2025 (S.351). The bill aims to establish a pilot grant program under the Environmental Protection Agency to improve upon and expand domestic recycling efforts, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The STEWARD Act would also require the agency to collect and report data on domestic recycling and composting rates.  Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced the Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act (H.R.903/S.341) to protect communities from the health, environmental, and economic impacts of wildfires and extreme heat. Specifically, the bill would establish a grant program for early detection, communication, and mitigation of these impacts at the state level. EESI’s Living with Climate Change briefings on wildfires and extreme heat discuss policy solutions for reducing risk. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) reintroduced the Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S.347) to reauthorize funding for the brownfield revitalization program, which facilitates the remediation and redevelopment of contaminated legacy industrial sites. In the House, Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) and Michael Turner (R-Ohio) reintroduced the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act (H.R.815). The bill would reauthorize a currently-expired tax credit to incentivize developers to remediate and repurpose contaminated properties.  Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and bipartisan cosponsors reintroduced the Fire Ready Nation Act (S.306). If passed, the bill would establish a Fire Weather Services program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and authorize funding for the development of innovative wildfire forecasting technologies. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-january-27-2025-january-31-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-january-27-2025-january-31-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> EESI After 40: Looking Ahead at What Comes Next… </title> <pubDate>Fri, 31 Jan 2025 19:34:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Last year was a great opportunity to reflect on EESI’s 40 years of history, accomplishments, and cast of characters. While the need for science-based, nonpartisan policymaker education has been a constant from the start, the “how” of what EESI does has evolved based on the fact that things change. What worked in 1984 is different from what worked in 1994, 2004, or 2024. Our 40th anniversary article series is a great overview of EESI’s origins and work to date. But here we are in the new year: 40 years old and staring down 41. Our laurels were fun to read and write about, but ours is a “What have you done for me lately?” world. So, now is the time to regroup and forge ahead because, frankly, climate action is more urgent now than at any time in EESI’s history. Our planet is getting warmer, and our civilization is causing it. The challenges facing us are steep, and the path forward is lined with uncertainty. So what do we do about it? Well, the simple answer is that EESI will continue to do what we do best: providing science-based, nonpartisan educational resources to members of Congress and their staff. EESI has made many important contributions to climate action, and the Congressional need for reliable information is still there. Our other key audiences like other federal policymakers, journalists, our fellow policy wonks and advocates, others with a curiosity about climate science and solutions. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesi-after-40-looking-ahead-at-what-comes-next</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesi-after-40-looking-ahead-at-what-comes-next</guid> </item> <item> <title> U.S. and International Commitments to Tackle Commercial Aviation Emissions </title> <pubDate>Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:35:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ In 2022, aircraft generated 9% of the nation’s transportation sector greenhouse gases and approximately 2.5% of all U.S. GHG emissions. At a global level, the International Energy Agency reports that aviation accounted for 2.5% of the world’s energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2023. According to the international industry trade organization Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), the sector produced 12% of all global transportation emissions. The severe contraction in commercial aviation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic produced a major reduction in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by the industry. But after declining 46% in 2020, fuel consumption increased an average of 21% annually from 2021 through 2023. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates global fuel consumption exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 2024. ATAG projects that with today’s fleet technology (i.e., using conventional fossil-based jet fuel and current operational efficiency), passenger air traffic would generate two billion tons of carbon dioxide annually in 2050, more than double the industry’s 2019 emissions. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/u.s-and-international-commitments-to-tackle-commercial-aviation-emissions</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/u.s-and-international-commitments-to-tackle-commercial-aviation-emissions</guid> </item> <item> <title> Navigating Climate Information for Effective Policy-Making </title> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Jan 2025 14:00:00 -0500</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast. Ready to make a difference in climate policy, but not sure where to start? We have you covered. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to join us for our start-of-the-new-Congress briefing series, Climate Camp. We will review climate science, cutting-edge innovations, and the role of the legislative process in climate mitigation and adaptation. EESI’s first Climate Camp briefing will serve as an interactive refresher on the drivers of climate change and the latest deployable solutions to address the challenge. This Congress, topics such as agriculture,  infrastructure, and national security will be front and center. The briefing will cover climate concepts and terminology—from types of greenhouse gases to renewable energy technologies—to help you identify policy solutions at the intersection of these issue areas. At this briefing, panelists will showcase tools—like the EN-ROADS simulator, co-developed by MIT Sloan and Climate Interactive—that staff can use to easily digest climate data and generate policy ideas. They will also highlight federal agency resources essential to understanding the climate challenge and innovative solutions to address it. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/012925camp</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/012925camp</guid> </item> <item> <title> Climate Change Solutions - January 28, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Jan 2025 14:43:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-january-28-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-january-28-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> On the Hill in 2024: A Breakdown of Climate, Energy, and Environmental Congressional Hearings </title> <pubDate>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 17:57:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Congressional hearings are a key area of business on Capitol Hill. From receiving testimony from agency heads to gathering information that can guide future legislation, hearings are a venue for essential knowledge-sharing and debate. To keep up with these happenings, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) tracks hearings related to climate, energy, and environment topics year-round. In total, EESI identified 143 hearings on these subjects in 2024. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/on-the-hill-in-2024-a-breakdown-of-climate-energy-and-environmental-congressional-hearings</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/on-the-hill-in-2024-a-breakdown-of-climate-energy-and-environmental-congressional-hearings</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | January 20, 2025 - January 24, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 15:05:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The House passed Reps. Jill Tokuda’s (D-Hawaii) and Ed Case’s (D-Hawaii) Continued Rapid 'Ōhi'a Death Response Act of 2025 (H.R.375), which has since been sent to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for consideration. If passed, the bill would improve coordination between federal and state agencies to prevent the spread of Rapid 'Ōhi'a Death— a fungus that has decimated the 'Ōhi'a tree population, which is found only in Hawaii and has been key in protecting the state’s watersheds. The House passed Modernizing Access to our Public Waters (MAPWaters) Act of 2025 (H.R.187). Reintroduced by Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah) and bipartisan cosponsors, MAPWaters would improve data collection on recreational use of federal waterways and promote public access to federal waters.  Reps. Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) reintroduced the Coordination for Soil Carbon Research and Monitoring Act (H.R.641). The bill would bridge gaps in research and monitoring to improve the capacity of soil to capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. EESI’s Farm Bill in Focus briefing, Climate-Smart Research for the Farms of the Future, highlights other federal research initiatives to bolster climate change mitigation through soil carbon sequestration.  Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and bipartisan cosponsors reintroduced the Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act (S.154) to extend the life of the System Conservation Pilot Program to 2026. The program tests water conservation strategies in the Colorado River Basin to alleviate the impacts of severe drought. For more on conservation efforts across the river basin, check out EESI’s article on how farmers in the region are responding to water shortages, and be sure to RSVP for EESI’s upcoming Congressional briefing on the Colorado River. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-january-20-2025-january-24-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-january-20-2025-january-24-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | January 13, 2025 - January 17, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jan 2025 19:53:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The House passed the Promoting Opportunities to Widen Electrical Resilience (POWER) Act of 2025 (H.R.164). Reps. Val Hoyle (D-Ore.) and Mike Ezell (R-Miss.) reintroduced the bill to bolster the capacity of not-for-profit electric utilities to incorporate hazard mitigation and resilience measures when rebuilding grid infrastructure after major disasters.  The House passed the Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act (H.R.152) with 405-5 votes. Led by Rep. Mike Ezell (R-Miss.), the bill would accelerate and improve disaster recovery efforts under the Federal Emergency Management Agency by streamlining disaster assistance application processes.  Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) introduced a pair of bills to support long-term surface and ground water resource management. The Groundwater Recharge Technical Assistance Act (H.R.337), which Reps. David Valadao (R-Calif.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) co-lead, would strengthen drought resilience in the West by providing an annual $3 million to support groundwater recharge projects. The Every Drop Counts Act (H.R.338), cosponsored by Reps. David Valadao (R-Calif.) and Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), would increase drought preparedness and water supply reliability by increasing the funding eligibility of water storage projects under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.  Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) reintroduced the Western Wildfire Support Act (S.91) to provide communities with wildfire prevention, mitigation, and recovery resources. EESI explores other wildfire mitigation tools on our podcast, The Climate Conversation. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-january-13-2025-january-17-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-january-13-2025-january-17-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> Washington Island Church Goes Solar Thanks to New Credits for Nonprofits </title> <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jan 2025 18:02:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ On Vashon Island in Washington State, across from Seattle, the Vashon United Methodist Church (UMC) recently received elective pay (a.k.a. direct pay) funds in lieu of federal clean energy tax credits for its installed solar and battery storage devices. This helped cover about a third of the costs of the installation, with the other two-thirds covered by a $130,000 Washington State Department of Commerce Solar plus Storage for Resilient Communities program grant that Vashon UMC won back in September 2023. The federal credit and state grant helped the church install 30 kilowatts (kW) of solar panels and six battery storage devices in two church-owned buildings. The Solar plus Storage for Resilient Communities program helps community centers, schools, and houses of worship—like the Vashon church—install solar and battery storage devices to increase the resilience of disadvantaged communities, particularly in rural and remote areas, which face significant risks when the power goes out. Because Vashon UMC is located on an island in Puget Sound and is only accessible by ferry, it qualified as a remote and rural community for the Washington State grant. As a Solar plus Storage grant recipient, Vashon UMC must be open for the community at least two hours daily, particularly in the winter. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/washington-island-church-goes-solar-thanks-to-new-credits-for-nonprofits</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/washington-island-church-goes-solar-thanks-to-new-credits-for-nonprofits</guid> </item> <item> <title> Federal Programs Advancing Sustainable Commercial Aircraft and Engine Technologies </title> <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jan 2025 15:20:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The U.S. government, energy companies, academia, and the aviation industry—including airlines, aircraft and engine manufacturers, and suppliers—are all engaged in technological and operational improvements to reduce the environmental and climate impact of the country’s commercial aviation sector. Federal agencies play a significant role in this national effort, from the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, and Energy. FAA, NASA, and industry groups are working together as a part of the Sustainable Flight National Partnership to develop engine and aircraft technology that would produce a 25 to 30% lower fuel burn relative to the current best-in-class aircraft and reduce engine and aircraft noise. Three major programs underway in pursuit of this goal are the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise (CLEEN) Program; the Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment (ASCENT Center of Excellence); and NASA’s flight testing program. These government partnerships and federal cost sharing make it possible for corporate participation in development projects that have both significant technological risk and the potential for large improvements in fuel efficiency, reduced particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions, and noise reduction. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/federal-programs-advancing-sustainable-commercial-aircraft-and-engine-technologies</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/federal-programs-advancing-sustainable-commercial-aircraft-and-engine-technologies</guid> </item> <item> <title> The Columbia River </title> <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jan 2025 14:00:00 -0500</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing about climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation strategies in the Columbia River basin. The Columbia, which winds through British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington state, is an important source of food, drinking water, irrigation, recreation, and clean energy for the Pacific Northwest. However, the effects of climate change have created and exacerbated problems like estuarine habitat loss, toxic algal blooms, low water levels, and diminished fish populations, highlighting the importance of finding science-based solutions to these issues. This briefing will also discuss the outcomes of the Uncommon Dialogue, which brought together tribes, national and local government, the hydropower industry, and river conservation stakeholders to identify shared approaches to steward river health and safety while ensuring hydropower operations provide clean, affordable energy. Panelists will also discuss the role of federal investments in the Columbia River’s resilience and health, including Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/011525rivers</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/011525rivers</guid> </item> <item> <title> Nonprofit RE-volv Accelerates Solar Energy Deployment Thanks to Inflation Reduction Act </title> <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jan 2025 17:52:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Solar power generation is surging across the United States. Year after year, solar has routinely outperformed predictions about its deployment, and constituted half of all new energy production in 2023. With clean energy-enabling legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) (P.L.117-169) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (P.L.117-58), new avenues for solar investment and deployment are cropping up at record speed.  Prior to the IRA, the Investment Tax Credit provided tax credits for residential and commercial clean energy generation. However, tax-exempt entities like nonprofits, religious institutions, and other charitable organizations were unable to access commercial clean energy tax credits, since they paid no taxes which could be reduced. To address this, the IRA introduced elective pay, commonly referred to as direct pay, to provide tax-exempt organizations with payments equivalent in value to those that a commercial entity filing for clean energy tax credits would receive. Direct pay provides a base payment of 30% of the investment cost for clean energy projects. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/nonprofit-re-volv-accelerates-solar-energy-deployment-thanks-to-inflation-reduction-act</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/nonprofit-re-volv-accelerates-solar-energy-deployment-thanks-to-inflation-reduction-act</guid> </item> <item> <title> EESI on Bringing Locally-Led Climate Adaptation and Resilience to the Federal Stage </title> <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jan 2025 16:14:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ As those most intimately acquainted with the impacts of climate change, local leaders are experts in what they need to adapt. With every foot of sea level encroachment, each hurricane-induced flood, each day over 100°F, each wildfire, cities and communities have navigated how to adapt, and have already begun carrying out climate solutions tailored to their communities’ unique needs.  These efforts, however, can be fortified by support from policy makers at the federal level. Effective federal policy on climate adaptation and resilience reflects the needs, voices, and trailblazing solutions of local communities. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesi-on-bringing-locally-led-climate-adaptation-and-resilience-to-the-federal-stage</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesi-on-bringing-locally-led-climate-adaptation-and-resilience-to-the-federal-stage</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | January 6, 2025 - January 10, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jan 2025 15:59:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio), alongside Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), and Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) reintroduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2025 (H.R.284). The GLRI supports Great Lakes states, tribes, and communities with funding for projects that address issues like habitat loss, agricultural water pollution, and invasive species. The bill would provide an annual $500 million for the program over five years. Reps. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) and Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) reintroduced the Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act (H.R.288). If passed, the bill would reauthorize the Environmental Protection Agency’s Long Island Sound programs for five years, and support the development of new conservation programs for 12 priority habitats in the region. ICYMI: President Biden signed several climate and environment measures into law in the final days of the 118th Congress—from drought mitigation and habitat conservation to mine remediation and increased access to public lands. Find them all in December’s Congressional Round-Ups. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-january-6-2025-january-10-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-january-6-2025-january-10-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> Climate Change Solutions - January 14, 2025 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jan 2025 14:16:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-january-14-2025</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-january-14-2025</guid> </item> <item> <title> One Year Into the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers Program: Spotlight on the Mid-Atlantic </title> <pubDate>Mon, 13 Jan 2025 17:23:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ In 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE), recognizing the need for a more holistic, localized, on-the-ground approach to addressing environmental discrimination and harm, established the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTAC) Program. This program aims to make the Biden-Harris Administration's historic federal climate investments more accessible to communities that have faced environmental injustice. A key tool to carry out the Justice40 Initiative, the program is designed to help communities increase their capacity to address pollution challenges and adapt to climate change. Today, 16 technical assistance centers, or TCTACs, are up and operating across national and regional scales. The core centers are bolstered by a broad network of over 144 partners ranging from academic institutions to nonprofits. Over an initial five-year funding phase ending in October 2028, the TCTACs will connect with communities to provide technical assistance and capacity-building services. They will primarily provide federal grant writing support, targeting people and organizations that have been most overburdened by environmental harm, as well as rural communities. The support is focused on accessing federal grants, which often are logistically complicated to navigate and require immense amounts of time and financial expertise. Communities who lack the time and technical capacity that these grants demand are inherently excluded. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/one-year-into-the-environmental-justice-thriving-communities-technical-assistance-centers-program-spotlight-on-the-mid-atlantic</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/one-year-into-the-environmental-justice-thriving-communities-technical-assistance-centers-program-spotlight-on-the-mid-atlantic</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | December 23 - December 27, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jan 2025 14:54:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ President Biden signed the Great Salt Lake Stewardship Act (P.L.118-169). The new law would allow unexpended funds from the Central Utah Project Completion Act to be diverted towards conservation measures for Utah’s Great Salt Lake, which has experienced drought-induced depletion. Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah) led the bill through its passage in the House and Senate. The Water Monitoring and Tracking Essential Resources (WATER) Data Improvement Act (P.L.118-174) became law. Reps. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) originally introduced the bill, which will support U.S. Geological Survey programs that track freshwater and groundwater availability through 2028. President Biden passed the Drought Preparedness Act (P.L.118-170) to reauthorize the Bureau of Reclamation’s Drought Response Program through 2028. The program aims to help water managers increase water availability and mitigate the impacts of drought in the western states. The law originated in the House, where it was introduced by Reps. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.). The America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024 (P.L.118-198) was signed into law. Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced the bill to support wildlife habitat restoration and conservation projects across the country. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-december-23-december-27-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-december-23-december-27-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | December 16 - December 21, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jan 2025 14:46:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ President Biden signed the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 (P.L.118-155). The law permits non-governmental organizations to step in to remediate polluted, abandoned hardrock mines. Reps. Celeste Maloy (R-Utah) and Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) originally reintroduced the bill in the House (H.R.7779), and Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) reintroduced the Senate companion (S.2781). EESI’s article explores the benefits of remediating mine lands for clean energy development. President Biden also passed the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act of 2024 (P.L.118-152). Under this law, the two Florida waterways are deemed “estuaries of national significance,” a designation which guarantees them increased protections and restoration efforts under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) led the bill through its passage in the Senate and House. The Senate passed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act (H.R.6492), which will now head to President Biden’s desk. If signed into law, the bill would improve access to recreation on federal public lands and waters. Reps. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) originally introduced the bill in the House, where it passed in April 2024. Read EESI’s EXPLORE Act explainer here. The Senate unanimously passed the Fishery Improvement to Streamline untimely regulatory Hurdles post Emergency Situation (FISHES) Act (H.R.5103). Reps. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) introduced the bill to expedite federal disaster relief following fishery disaster declarations. The bill, which passed the House in December 2024, will now head to President Biden’s desk for his signature. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-december-16-december-21-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-december-16-december-21-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> EESI Becomes 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner </title> <pubDate>Thu, 19 Dec 2024 21:28:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ For the first time, EESI has been approved as a 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner. 1% for the Planet Members—companies like Patagonia, Flickr, and OXO—commit 1% of their sales to Environmental Partners. “We made the cut! EESI is now one of 1% for the Planet’s Environmental Partners, a global network of environmental organizations,” said EESI Board Chair Jared Blum. “And the timing could not be more perfect, as this recognition comes during EESI’s year-long celebration of our 40 years of advancing climate solutions.” ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/press-releases/view/eesi-becomes-1-for-the-planet-environmental-partner</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/press-releases/view/eesi-becomes-1-for-the-planet-environmental-partner</guid> </item> <item> <title> Climate Change Solutions - December 17, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:16:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-december-17-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-december-17-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | December 9 - December 13, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 17 Dec 2024 18:19:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The President signed the Coastal Habitat Conservation Act of 2023 (P.L.118-138) into law. Reps. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Jenniffer González-Colón (R-P.R.) reintroduced the bill (H.R.2950) in the House to reauthorize voluntary federal programs that bolster the health and resilience of coastal habitats. Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) led the bill (S.1381) in the Senate.  The House passed theThomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 (S.4367). WRDA is reauthorized every two years, and the 2024 bill would mandate 17 new water infrastructure projects under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including for storm risk mitigation, stormwater management, Everglades restoration, and coastal flood management. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) cosponsor Sen. Tom Carper’s (D-Del.) bill, which will head to President Biden’s desk for his signature. The House passed the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 (H.R.7779). Reintroduced by Reps. Celeste Maloy (R-Utah) and Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), the bill would provide legal protection to environmental and community groups voluntarily remediating polluted, abandoned hardrock mines. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) reintroduced the Senate companion (S.2781), which unanimously passed the chamber in July. EESI’s article on clean energy development on reclaimed mine lands discusses the benefits of remediating these sites. The Senate passed the Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act (S.2514/H.R.7872). The bill, which passed the House the week prior, aims to reduce the Colorado River’s high salinity levels, which have recently threatened biodiversity and decreased water availability for household and agricultural use. Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah) and Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) introduced the bill alongside bipartisan cosponsors. EESI’s Resilient and Healthy Rivers briefing series discusses environmental, economic, and health impacts of riverine issues across the country’s key river basins, including the Colorado River Basin. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-december-9-december-13-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-december-9-december-13-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | December 2 - December 6, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 17 Dec 2024 18:13:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The House passed the Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act (H.R.7872/S.2514). The bill would bolster the Salinity Control Program to reduce the Colorado River’s high salinity levels, which have recently threatened biodiversity and decreased water availability for household and agricultural use. Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah) and Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) introduced the bill alongside bipartisan cosponsors. EESI’s Resilient and Healthy Rivers briefing series discusses environmental, economic, and health impacts of riverine issues across the country’s key river basins. The Senate passed the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024 (S.3738). Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) introduced the bill, which reauthorizes and increases funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to address ongoing and emerging threats to the Great Lakes system. Reps. David Joyce (R-Ohio), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) lead the bill in the House (H.R.7257). The House passed the Fishery Improvement to Streamline untimely regulatory Hurdles post Emergency Situation (FISHES) Act (H.R.5103). Reps. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) introduced the bill to expedite federal disaster relief following fishery disaster declarations. The bill has since moved to the Senate for consideration. The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure advanced the Weather Alert Response and Notification (WARN) Act (H.R. 2892). The bipartisan bill, conceived by Rep. Nicholas Langworthy (R-N.Y.) would mandate a study on the effectiveness of federal, state, and local emergency alerts systems and the utility of new technological innovations in improving preparedness for and responses to natural disasters. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-december-2-december-6-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-december-2-december-6-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> 2024 EERE Investment Snapshot Report Overview: Clean Energy Developments Yield Major Benefits </title> <pubDate>Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing about the recently released Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) 2024 Investment Snapshot report.  EERE has made targeted investments to spur clean energy innovation, create good-paying American jobs, improve the health of communities, and support a reliable and resilient energy grid. The 2024 EERE Investment Snapshot summarizes the benefits of investments in clean, efficient, and reliable energy technologies over the last decade. While each field in EERE’s portfolio has seen remarkable progress, the report focuses on EERE’s impact and outcomes as a whole and shows how continued investment in EERE can continue to yield measurable and demonstrable benefits for the American people. The 2024 EERE Investment Snapshot, published by the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy is available to download for free here. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/121724eere</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/121724eere</guid> </item> <item> <title> How Water Reuse Can Address Scarcity </title> <pubDate>Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:27:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Water reuse can play a vital role in preserving our freshwater resources. Water reuse, or water recycling, is the process of treating and repurposing wastewater for applications such as irrigation, industrial processes, and even household uses such as bathing, cooking, and drinking. By promoting the conservation of freshwater sources, water reuse can help address the impacts of climate change on our water supply. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/how-water-reuse-can-address-scarcity</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/how-water-reuse-can-address-scarcity</guid> </item> <item> <title> Taller Turbines, Bigger Opportunities: How EESI Shaped My Path in Southeast Wind Energy </title> <pubDate>Fri, 13 Dec 2024 14:43:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/taller-turbines-bigger-opportunities-how-eesi-shaped-my-path-in-southeast-wind-energy</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/taller-turbines-bigger-opportunities-how-eesi-shaped-my-path-in-southeast-wind-energy</guid> </item> <item> <title> The Tennessee River </title> <pubDate>Wed, 11 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0500</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing about strategies to improve biodiversity and river health along the Tennessee River, which winds through Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky. The Tennessee River, one of the most biodiverse rivers in North America, experiences damaging issues ranging from PFAS and plastics to chemical pollution from landfills and manufacturing. These issues threaten both water quality and the health and well-being of the many communities in the river’s watershed. This briefing will highlight the importance of effective enforcement of local, state, and federal clean water laws and regulations. Panelists will discuss the role of federal policy-making in boosting river health, as well as opportunities to support biodiversity. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/121124rivers</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/121124rivers</guid> </item> <item> <title> EESI at 40: EESI President Daniel Bresette on Working and Learning at EESI </title> <pubDate>Tue, 10 Dec 2024 22:37:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ EESI President Daniel Bresette answers questions about his experience leading EESI on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. "I first got to know EESI when I worked on Capitol Hill in the early and mid-2000s. When the EESI board of directors announced a search for a new executive director after Carol’s decision to retire, I thought, 'Oh, that would be really fun.' So I tossed my hat into the ring." ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesi-at-40-eesi-president-daniel-bresette-on-working-and-learning-at-eesi</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesi-at-40-eesi-president-daniel-bresette-on-working-and-learning-at-eesi</guid> </item> <item> <title> Climate Change Solutions - December 3, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Wed, 04 Dec 2024 18:07:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-december-3-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-december-3-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> Energy Efficiency Retrofits for Rural Households in South Carolina: Sol Systems and Google </title> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 22:36:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Rural electric cooperatives in South Carolina are developing energy efficiency projects for low-income households with an unlikely partner: Google. Sol Systems, a national renewable energy firm, and Google entered a tax equity investment partnership in 2023 to develop solar projects in North and South Carolina. Revenues from this partnership help fund pre-weatherization, safety repairs, and energy efficiency upgrades for rural households in the Southeast, particularly in South Carolina. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/energy-efficiency-retrofits-for-rural-households-in-south-carolina-sol-systems-and-google</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/energy-efficiency-retrofits-for-rural-households-in-south-carolina-sol-systems-and-google</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | November 18 - November 22, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 18:43:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) introduced the Senate version of the Farm Bill. The Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act (S.5335) includes, among other provisions, more than 100 bipartisan bills; support for beginning, underserved, and small agricultural workers; assistance for farms impacted by natural disasters; increased investment in agricultural research; and investment in and permanent authorization of conservation programs. The House Committee on Agriculture passed its version of the Farm Bill, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 (H.R.8467) in May. Check out EESI’s Farm Bill in Focus briefing series to learn more about climate-smart opportunities under the Farm Bill. The Senate passed the Coastal Habitat Conservation Act of 2023 (H.R.2950), which reauthorizes voluntary federal programming to bolster the health and resilience of coastal habitats. The bill originated in the House, where it was introduced by Reps. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Jenniffer González-Colón (R-P.R.).  The Senate also passed the Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm (BEACH) Act (H.R.5490). Reps. Jennifer Kiggans (R-Va.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) introduced the bill in the House to expand on coastal conservation maps mandated by the 1982 Coastal Barrier Resources Act. Expanded maps would provide concrete data  to understand coastal communities’ and ecosystems’ climate risk and vulnerability, and boost resilience. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources also passed the Reinvesting In Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act of 2023 (S.373), led by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and bipartisan cosponsors. The RISEE Act would redirect revenue streams from offshore energy production towards state projects that support coastal restoration and resilience. Rep. Lizze Fletcher (D-Texas) introduced the bill’s companion (H.R.913) in the House.  The House Committee on Natural Resources advanced the Promoting Accessibility on Federal Lands Act of 2023 (H.R.5665). Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and bipartisan cosponsors introduced the bill, which will establish a comprehensive joint assessment by the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture to determine the accessibility of federally-managed trails, campsites, and outdoor recreation facilities for people with disabilities. EESI’s recent article explores other efforts by the 118th Congress to facilitate outdoor access for people with limited mobility.  ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-november-18-november-22-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-november-18-november-22-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | November 11 - November 15, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 17:11:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The House passed the Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2024 (H.R.8446), which would expand the number of critical minerals and materials eligible for clean energy tax credits. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) leads the bill in the House, and Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) introduced an identical bill (S.5274) in the Senate in September.  The House Committee on Natural Resources advanced the Fishery Improvement to Streamline untimely regulatory Hurdles post Emergency Situation (FISHES) Act (H.R.5103). Reps. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) introduced the bill to expedite federal disaster relief following fishery disaster declarations. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) introduced a similar bill (S.4262) in the Senate in May. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) introduced the Half-Century Update for Water Access and Affordability (H2O UP) Act (H.R.10150) alongside Democratic cosponsors. The H2O UP Act would amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to establish a permanent low-income drinking water assistance program within the Environmental Protection Agency. The program would also initiate data collection and reporting on water access, as well as technical assistance for community water systems. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Democratic cosponsors reintroduced the Renewable Energy Certainty Act (S.5320), which would extend the payback period within federal contracts for renewable energy and cogeneration projects to 30 years, increasing the economic viability and stability of clean energy investments. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-november-11-november-15-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-november-11-november-15-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> COP29 Dispatch - November 25, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Mon, 25 Nov 2024 21:17:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-25-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-25-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> U.S. Climate Leadership Enters a New Phase as U.N. Climate Summit Concludes with an Updated Finance Commitment to the Developing World </title> <pubDate>Mon, 25 Nov 2024 20:01:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ EESI press release on the 2024 UN climate summit (COP29) outcomes. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/press-releases/view/u.s-climate-leadership-enters-a-new-phase-as-u.n-climate-summit-concludes-with-an-updated-finance-commitment-to-the-developing-world</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/press-releases/view/u.s-climate-leadership-enters-a-new-phase-as-u.n-climate-summit-concludes-with-an-updated-finance-commitment-to-the-developing-world</guid> </item> <item> <title> COP29 Dispatch - November 21, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Thu, 21 Nov 2024 22:07:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-21-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-21-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> COP29 Dispatch - November 20, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:25:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-20-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-20-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> November 20 Press Conference at COP29: U.S. Perspectives from the U.N. Climate Summit </title> <pubDate>Wed, 20 Nov 2024 14:39:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) will hold a press conference on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, during the U.N. climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29) at 1:30 p.m. local time in Baku (4:30 a.m. EST). Speakers will share observations of the negotiations and other key happenings at COP29 and what it means for climate action in the United States. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/press-releases/view/november-20-press-conference-at-cop29-u.s-perspectives-from-the-u.n-climate-summit</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/press-releases/view/november-20-press-conference-at-cop29-u.s-perspectives-from-the-u.n-climate-summit</guid> </item> <item> <title> COP29 Dispatch - November 19, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 19 Nov 2024 22:26:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-19-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-19-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> Impacts of Growing Wildfire-Related Emissions on the Global Carbon Budget, the +1.5 Limit, and the Next NDCs </title> <pubDate>Tue, 19 Nov 2024 07:45:00 -0500</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ 4:45 —6:15 pm Baku local time Side Event Room 6, COP29 Center, Baku, Azerbaijan The Environmental and Energy Study Institute and the Woodwell Climate Research Center invite you to a U.N. climate summit (COP29) Side Event on how growing emissions from global wildfires and the resulting feedback loops threaten to undermine our ability to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The panelists will present the latest science behind wildfire emissions as well as their impact on the global carbon budget, and discuss the viability of the 1.5°C limit and the preparation of the next nationally determined contributions (NDCs) in light of those impacts. The panelists will first introduce the latest research on increasing wildfire emissions, which are mostly due to more frequent and intense fires in the Arctic region. Panelists will highlight the latest scientific findings on Arctic wildfires and wildfire-permafrost interactions that are accelerating the release of greenhouse gas emissions. The panelists will show how these wildfire-related emissions affect the carbon budget that remains for limiting global warming to 1.5°C and consider how wildfire mitigation efforts, like those championed by the Arctic Council, may help achieve the Paris Agreement goals. Finally, the panel will discuss the ongoing work to align the global climate effort with the 1.5°C limit, the preparation of the next NDCs due in February 2025, and what the research introduced at this event means for the already diminished remaining carbon budget. The panelists will be invited to discuss what is needed—both in terms of scientific advances, but also policy ambition—to keep the Paris process on track. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/111924cop</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/111924cop</guid> </item> <item> <title> COP29 Dispatch - November 18, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Mon, 18 Nov 2024 22:08:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-18-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-18-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> COP29 Dispatch - November 15, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Fri, 15 Nov 2024 21:27:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-15-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-15-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> November 15 Press Conference at COP29: U.S. Perspectives from the U.N. Climate Summit </title> <pubDate>Fri, 15 Nov 2024 14:51:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) will hold a press conference on Friday, November 15, during the U.N. climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29) at 3:30 p.m. local time in Baku (6:30 a.m. EST). Speakers will share observations of the negotiations and other key happenings at COP29 and what it means for climate action in the United States. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/press-releases/view/november-15-press-conference-at-cop29-u.s-perspectives-from-the-u.n-climate-summit</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/press-releases/view/november-15-press-conference-at-cop29-u.s-perspectives-from-the-u.n-climate-summit</guid> </item> <item> <title> COP29 Dispatch - November 14, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Thu, 14 Nov 2024 21:39:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-14-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-14-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> COP29 Dispatch - November 13, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Wed, 13 Nov 2024 21:52:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-13-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-13-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> COP29 Dispatch - November 12, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 12 Nov 2024 22:10:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-12-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-12-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> COP29 Dispatch - November 11, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Mon, 11 Nov 2024 19:51:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-11-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-11-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> COP29 Dispatch - November 8, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Fri, 08 Nov 2024 19:02:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-8-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/cop29-dispatch-november-8-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> U.S. Leaders at COP29: Updates on Members of Congress and Other U.S. Officials at the 2024 UN Climate Summit </title> <pubDate>Thu, 07 Nov 2024 21:05:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ This list compiles the U.S. federal and elected officials who attended the UN climate summit, COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/u.s-leaders-at-cop29-updates-on-members-of-congress-and-other-u.s-officials-at-the-2024-un-climate-summit</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/u.s-leaders-at-cop29-updates-on-members-of-congress-and-other-u.s-officials-at-the-2024-un-climate-summit</guid> </item> <item> <title> COP29 Announcement Tracker: Key Announcements from the 2024 UN Climate Summit </title> <pubDate>Thu, 07 Nov 2024 20:54:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Throughout the UN climate summit (COP29)—which officially runs from November 11 to November 22, 2024—a number of agreements, declarations, and collaborations will be announced on a range of climate, environmental, and energy topics. EESI is tracking the happenings of COP29 through our daily newsletter, COP29 Dispatch: What Congress Needs to Know from Baku. This article provides a compilation of the announcements included in COP29 Dispatch. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/cop29-announcement-tracker-key-announcements-from-the-2024-un-climate-summit</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/cop29-announcement-tracker-key-announcements-from-the-2024-un-climate-summit</guid> </item> <item> <title> Climate Change Solutions - November 5, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Wed, 06 Nov 2024 18:49:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-november-5-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-november-5-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | October 28 - November 1, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Mon, 04 Nov 2024 19:28:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The House Committee on Natural Resources passed the Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2024 (H.R.8446). Led by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), the bill would consolidate the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS’s) and Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) respective lists of critical minerals and materials— including those essential to the clean energy transition. This would ensure that DOE-listed materials are afforded the same clean energy tax credits and other federal support as their USGS-listed counterparts. Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) introduced a Senate companion bill (S.5274) in September.  The House Committee on Natural Resources also passed the Harnessing Energy at Thermal Sources (HEATS) Act (H.R.7409). Reps. Young Kim (R-Calif.), John Duarte (R-Calif.), and Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) lead the bill, which would decrease permit requirements to accelerate geothermal energy production. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-october-28-november-1-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-october-28-november-1-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> On the Hill in September and October 2024: A Breakdown of Climate, Energy, and Environmental Hearings </title> <pubDate>Mon, 04 Nov 2024 16:11:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Congress held a total of 14 hearings on climate, energy, and environmental topics across September and October of 2024. The Republican-led House of Representatives held 10 of these hearings, while the Democrat-led Senate held four. Eight different committees across the House and Senate covered environmental, energy, or climate legislation. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/on-the-hill-in-september-and-october-2024-a-breakdown-of-climate-energy-and-environmental-hearings</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/on-the-hill-in-september-and-october-2024-a-breakdown-of-climate-energy-and-environmental-hearings</guid> </item> <item> <title> Looking to COP29, Here’s Where Key Past COP Announcements Stand </title> <pubDate>Thu, 31 Oct 2024 18:42:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ This year’s United Nations climate change summit, formally known as the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), runs from November 11 to 22, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The theme of COP29, according to the Azerbaijan presidency, is “in solidarity for a green world.” This year, the annual meeting is intended “to enhance ambition and enable action,” according to COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s minister of ecology and natural resources. Countries, along with companies, nonprofits, and subnational governments, will discuss numerous climate change related topics—inside and outside the formal negotiating process—to assess progress in climate adaptation and mitigation and set new goals. This article examines initiatives announced at previous COPs to track their progress going into COP29. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/looking-to-cop29-heres-where-key-past-cop-announcements-stand</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/looking-to-cop29-heres-where-key-past-cop-announcements-stand</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | October 21 - October 25, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Mon, 28 Oct 2024 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The House Committee on Natural Resources passed the Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act (H.R.7872). Conceived by Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah) with bipartisan support, the bill would enhance the existing Salinity Control Program to better tackle detrimentally high salinity levels in the Colorado River. Recently, excess salinity in the river has threatened biodiversity and decreased the amount of water available for household and agricultural use. EESI’s ongoing Resilient and Healthy Rivers briefing series discusses environmental, economic, and health impacts of this and other riverine issues across the country’s most consequential river basins. The House Committee on Natural Resources passed Reps. Mike Levin (D-Calif.) and Robert Wittman’s (R-Va.) Get Rewarding Outdoor Work for our Veterans (GROW) Act (H.R.1786). The bill would establish a pilot program to place U.S. veterans in conservation, resource management, and environmental protection jobs under the Department of Interior. The program could address backlogs in wildlife conservation and management projects while lowering the veteran unemployment rate. Rep. Ed Case (D-Hawaii) and Del. James Moylan (R-Guam) introduced the Invasive Species Response Act (H.R.10037) to expand federal efforts to combat the spread of invasive species. Specifically, this bill would codify and fund the Invasive Species Strike Teams program under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to focus on prevention, early detection, and rapid response measures tailored to regional conditions. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-october-21-october-25-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-october-21-october-25-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> EESI Impact 22 - October 2024 </title> <pubDate>Sat, 26 Oct 2024 16:18:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/eesi-impact-22-october-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/eesi-impact-22-october-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> U.S.-China Engagement and International Climate Diplomacy </title> <pubDate>Fri, 25 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing about the role of United States-China climate engagement in shaping the progress and outcomes of international climate governance. From critical mineral supply chains to clean energy and transportation technology, dynamics between the two countries are complex and sometimes fraught. This briefing will explore how the countries’ relations across broader climate and environmental issues have influenced and will continue to influence the annual U.N. climate change negotiations. In 2023, the United States and China produced the Sunnylands Statement ahead of the U.N. climate change negotiations (COP28), following a tradition of publishing similar joint positions in prior years. The statement covered topics related to the energy transition, forest conservation, and non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions, including methane. It also kicked off a working group focused on “climate action in the 2020s,” which started meeting in the first half of 2024.   During the briefing, panelists will explain how these bilateral interactions play into the international negotiations on climate change, outline what to expect during COP29 and its lead up, and discuss the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts in curbing greenhouse gas emissions.  ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/102524cop</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/102524cop</guid> </item> <item> <title> Methane Mitigation on the Global Stage </title> <pubDate>Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing discussing how nations can collaborate to monitor and mitigate methane emissions to improve air quality and meet emission reduction targets. Methane accounts for 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution and has 80 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide, making it a key lever in addressing the climate crisis.  Ahead of the United Nations annual conference on climate change (COP29), this briefing will cover policies nations are implementing to effectively reduce their domestic methane emissions in the energy, agriculture, and waste sectors. Panelists will discuss the implementation of the Global Methane Pledge, which 155 countries have signed, and highlight the role of technology in improving methane monitoring, compliance, and reduction. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/102424cop</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/102424cop</guid> </item> <item> <title> Investigative Reporting Film Festival Features Three Movies with Environmental Theme </title> <pubDate>Wed, 23 Oct 2024 21:48:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Double Exposure is the United States’ first and only film festival dedicated to investigative reporting on film. The festival will feature four days of film screenings and a professional symposium from November 7 to 10 in Washington, D.C. EESI is a Double Exposure Film Festival Partner. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/investigative-reporting-film-festival-features-three-movies-with-environmental-theme</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/investigative-reporting-film-festival-features-three-movies-with-environmental-theme</guid> </item> <item> <title> What’s on the Table for the Negotiations </title> <pubDate>Wed, 23 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing about what Congress can expect during the upcoming United Nations climate negotiations in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29). From the opening World Climate Action Summit to the intense negotiations of the conference’s final days, thousands of events will take place over the course of the two-week U.N. session. Whether traveling to Baku or observing COP29 from D.C., this briefing will guide policymakers on how to engage effectively. Panelists will preview key issues on the negotiating agenda, from setting the new global climate finance goal and determining metrics for climate adaptation to updating national climate goals. The briefing will also unpack the complex process of international climate negotiations, review possible policy outcomes, and explore pathways for subsequent Congressional action. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/102324cop</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/102324cop</guid> </item> <item> <title> Climate Change Solutions - October 22, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Wed, 23 Oct 2024 13:24:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-october-22-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-october-22-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | October 14 - October 18, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Tue, 22 Oct 2024 13:29:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) introduced the Flood Loss Offset and Affordability Tax (FLOAT) Credit Act (H.R.10004) to address the increasing frequency and magnitude of extreme storms and flooding. Specifically, the bill would aim to improve flood insurance affordability for homeowners by providing buyers with a $1,000 annual tax credit. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-october-14-october-18-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-october-14-october-18-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> EESI’s United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Glossary of Terms </title> <pubDate>Mon, 21 Oct 2024 20:44:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ There is a lot of specific language and jargon used in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations and related activities. This list of terms, which originated from the UNFCCC’s now-retired glossary with additional entries from the International Institute for Sustainable Development’s (IISD’s) glossary, is designed to help you follow along with the UNFCCC’s annual Conference of the Parties (COP). Language in the glossary below originated from the UNFCCC or IISD as indicated by the parenthesis after each definition unless otherwise noted. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesis-united-nations-framework-convention-on-climate-change-glossary-of-terms</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesis-united-nations-framework-convention-on-climate-change-glossary-of-terms</guid> </item> <item> <title> Transforming Communities Through Elective Pay for Nonprofits </title> <pubDate>Mon, 21 Oct 2024 19:55:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Nonprofits can for the first time take advantage of tax credits for clean energy installations that were previously limited to organizations with a tax liability. Churches, schools, hospitals, food banks, community centers, state and local governments, rural electric cooperatives, and tribes that were previously locked out of accessing tax credits—like the investment tax credit (ITC)—can now access them. With “elective pay” (a.k.a. “direct pay”) and thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) (P.L. 117-169), these entities can claim tax incentives when investing in clean energy projects, such as solar energy, ground-source heat pumps, and battery storage devices. These small-scale renewable energy projects enable lower energy bills and increased resilience and can help create quality contractor and installation jobs, generating local wealth and spurring further demand for these distributed technologies. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/transforming-communities-through-elective-pay-for-nonprofits</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/transforming-communities-through-elective-pay-for-nonprofits</guid> </item> <item> <title> Tracking Transportation Investments in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act </title> <pubDate>Mon, 21 Oct 2024 18:18:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Described by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as “historic investment” in public transit, the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (P.L. 117-58) aims to support transportation emission reductions and modernize transit systems across the United States. The law provides $590 billion in transportation funding, $91.9 billion of which has been dedicated to public transit. Meanwhile, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) (P.L. 117-169), enacted in August 2022, invests $369 billion in the “most significant action Congress has taken on clean energy and climate change.” Of the $12.3 billion the IRA dedicates to transportation, $5.21 billion funds transportation pilot programs with an emphasis on emission reductions and transportation equity, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 initiative. Revitalizing public transportation, particularly following COVID-19 related ridership declines, is a key component of achieving a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Although transitioning from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) is important for achieving climate goals, mass EV adoption would still be insufficient to meet net-zero emission targets by 2050. Alongside beneficial electrification, public transit will need to be supported and scaled up in order to meet climate goals and stave off future warming. Estimates suggest that global transit usage must double by 2030 to meet the critical climate goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/tracking-transportation-investments-in-the-infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act-and-inflation-reduction-act</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/tracking-transportation-investments-in-the-infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act-and-inflation-reduction-act</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | October 7 - October 11, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Wed, 16 Oct 2024 20:49:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Reps. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) introduced the North American Grasslands Conservation Act (H.R.9945). If enacted, the bill would mandate a grasslands conservation plan and create a grant program for grasslands management and restoration efforts, including a regenerative grazing program.  Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) introduced the Urban Bird Treaty Act (H.R.9964). The bill would authorize $1 million annually for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Urban Bird Treaty program, which supports community-level bird conservation and works to reduce urban hazards to bird migration, such as toxins, building collisions, and invasive species. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-october-7-october-11-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-october-7-october-11-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> EESI at 40: The Origins of the Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum </title> <pubDate>Wed, 16 Oct 2024 15:35:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ A lot has changed since April 1996 when the first Renewable Energy EXPO was held in the Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building. The massive success of the first EXPO made the case for the event to continue as an annual opportunity for members of Congress and their staff to learn about the expanding biomass, geothermal, hydrogen, hydropower, solar, and wind industries. The organizers decided to add a Policy Forum to the annual EXPO in 2004 to encourage additional substantive discussions about energy efficiency and renewable energy as climate solutions. EESI assumed the lead role in organizing the Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum in 2014. A decade later, the event is going strong. The House and Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucuses reprise their roles as honorary co-hosts each year and help set panel topics, identify speakers, and curate the exhibition space. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesi-at-40-the-origins-of-the-congressional-renewable-energy-and-energy-efficiency-expo-and-policy-forum</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesi-at-40-the-origins-of-the-congressional-renewable-energy-and-energy-efficiency-expo-and-policy-forum</guid> </item> <item> <title> Climate Change Solutions - October 8, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Wed, 09 Oct 2024 20:31:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-october-8-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/view/climate-change-solutions-october-8-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> The Mississippi River </title> <pubDate>Tue, 08 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to the kickoff briefing of our Resilient and Healthy Rivers briefing series. This first briefing examines the environmental challenges facing the Mississippi River and solutions to address them. Spanning 10 states, the Mississippi plays a key role in tourism, commerce, biodiversity, and recreation in the United States. In particular, the river system moves hundreds of millions of tons of freight each year, serves as a home to hundreds of different fish, mammal, and amphibian species, and supports 1.3 million jobs. However, like many other river systems to be featured in this briefing series, the Mississippi River and the communities that depend on it face challenges such as nitrate pollution, saltwater intrusion, flooding, and low water levels—many of which are exacerbated by climate change. At this briefing, Mississippi River experts will discuss the role of federal policy in advancing strategies to improve both the health and climate resilience of the river system.  Lunch will be provided. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/100824rivers</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/100824rivers</guid> </item> <item> <title> Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: A New Age of Sustainable Trade </title> <pubDate>Mon, 07 Oct 2024 17:15:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ “Climate change is a global crisis, and to tackle it, emissions have to go down all across the world, not just move from one place to the next.” These were the remarks of European Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra, describing the need for the European Union’s (EU’s) recently-enacted Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). CBAM is a regulation that aims to limit “carbon leakage” by placing a fee on carbon-intensive products imported from non-EU nations. Carbon leakage occurs when companies migrate their manufacturing operations—and the emissions associated with them—to another country to skirt carbon emissions regulations. The CBAM transitional phase began in October 2023 and will run through 2025, marking a new step for global carbon policy. The EU CBAM emerged from the European Green Deal, a policy roadmap introduced by the European Council in 2019 to help Europe become “the world's first climate neutral continent by 2050.” After the release of the Green Deal, the EU followed up with Fit for 55, a set of policy proposals aiming to reduce EU emissions by 55% by 2030. This policy package incorporated CBAM to ensure that regulations on EU industry are not negated by overseas migration of production. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/europes-carbon-border-adjustment-mechanism-a-new-age-of-sustainable-trade</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/europes-carbon-border-adjustment-mechanism-a-new-age-of-sustainable-trade</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | September 30 - October 4, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Mon, 07 Oct 2024 16:44:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Bill Posey (R-Fla.), and Donald Beyer (D-Va.) introduced the Coastal Restoration Act (H.R.9912) to expand coastal ecosystem conservation efforts through research and coordination between federal, state, local, and Tribal governments. Specifically, the bill would establish a federal interagency blue carbon research initiative, as well as a national inventory of coastal ecosystems that could help sequester carbon, among other initiatives.  Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.) and democratic cosponsors introduced the Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2024 (H.R.9894). If enacted, the bill would establish a rebate program under the Department of Energy for “cool roof” products— reflective rooftop devices that could lower household temperatures, effectively lowering home electricity consumption and energy bills. EESI’s Living with Climate Change briefing on extreme heat discusses other ways built and natural infrastructure can reduce home temperatures. Reps. Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.) and Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) introduced the Strengthening Wildfire Resiliency Through Satellites Act (H.R.9908), which would create a grant program under the U.S. Geological Survey to leverage satellite technology to monitor wildfires.  ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-september-30-october-4-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-september-30-october-4-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | September 23 - September 27, 2024 </title> <pubDate>Mon, 07 Oct 2024 16:41:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The House passed the Innovative Mitigation Partnerships for Asphalt and Concrete Technologies (IMPACT) Act (H.R.7685). Reps. Max Miller (R-Ohio) and Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.) introduced the bill to accelerate research and development within the U.S. Department of Energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cement, concrete, and asphalt production. Check out EESI’s explainer on how these embodied emissions come to be and how policies can boost climate mitigation within the building materials industry.  The Senate passed the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization (WILD) Act (S.2395/H.R.5009), led by Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Reps. David Joyce (R-Ohio) and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.). The bill would reauthorize U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programs that carry out wildlife and habitat conservation in all 50 U.S. states. The bill, which originated in the House, will return there for a vote following changes made by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.  The House passed the Coastal Habitat Conservation Act of 2023 (H.R.2950). Reps. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Jenniffer González-Colón (R-P.R.) lead the bill, which reauthorizes federal programming to bolster the health of coastal habitats through 2028. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works passed its companion bill (S.1381) in July.  The Senate passed the Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2024 (S.275) to ensure that federal funding for expanding broadband internet connectivity is more intentionally and precisely funneled to historically underserved rural communities. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced the original bill, which the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation then advanced with  unanimous consent. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-september-23-september-27-2024</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environment-energy-congressional-round-up-september-23-september-27-2024</guid> </item> <item> <title> Opportunities in the Federal Crop Insurance Program to Bolster Soil Health for Climate Adaptation </title> <pubDate>Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:22:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ The federal crop insurance program (FCIP) offers subsidized crop insurance authorized by the Farm Bill to protect producers from the financial risks inherent to agriculture. In recent years, the cost of the program has increased substantially, drawing concern from federal spending watchdogs and nonprofit groups alike. The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicts that under a scenario with continuing emission trends (and subsequent warming), the cost of the program could increase by an average of 22%.  Although federal spending on these subsidies continues to increase, insurance is still outside the grasp of many farmers with small and diversified operations that grow a combination of different crops.  Federal crop insurance is a crucial component of the farm safety net that keeps farmers planting year after year. But many groups, including the Natural Resources Defense Council and American Farmland Trust, contend that policy reforms, such as the COVER Act and Save Our Small Farms Act of 2024, are necessary to help farmers adapt to changing temperatures and worsening natural disasters, improve soil health, and reduce federal costs. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/opportunities-in-the-federal-crop-insurance-program-to-bolster-soil-health-for-climate-adaptation</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/opportunities-in-the-federal-crop-insurance-program-to-bolster-soil-health-for-climate-adaptation</guid> </item> <item> <title> Optimizing Data Center Energy Demand for an Efficient U.S. Electric Grid </title> <pubDate>Fri, 04 Oct 2024 15:11:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Global electricity demand from data centers, artificial intelligence (AI), and cryptocurrency is projected to double by 2026 compared to 2022 consumption—with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%—according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).  Domestically, the rapid expansion of data centers—propelled in large part by the growth of AI—has been the most prominent driver of recent energy consumption, alongside burgeoning domestic energy production and increased electrification of buildings and industries. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) projects that data centers could grow to consume up to 9% of annual domestic electricity generation by 2030—more than double the amount of electricity they consume today. The projected growth in electric power demand from data centers—coupled with concerns around noise pollution, water stress, and land use—has seized the attention of state and federal lawmakers alike, prompting new questions about how the U.S. electric grid can adapt. Despite investments from the Biden-Harris Administration to upgrade the grid, some experts warn that these investments alone are not enough to meet growing demand, and that comprehensive energy transmission permitting reform will also be needed. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/wired-for-resilience-optimizing-data-center-energy-demand-for-an-efficient-u.s-electric-grid</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/wired-for-resilience-optimizing-data-center-energy-demand-for-an-efficient-u.s-electric-grid</guid> </item> <item> <title> Celebrate DAF Day This October 10 by Giving for Climate Solutions from Your Donor-Advised Fund! </title> <pubDate>Wed, 02 Oct 2024 18:13:00 +0000</pubDate> <description> <![CDATA[ Join EESI for DAF Day, a new giving day to promote giving from donor-advised funds. Along with fellow nonprofits, fundraising platforms, and donor-advised fund providers, EESI is encouraging millions of donors to come together for a day of giving. ]]> </description> <link>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/celebrate-daf-day-this-october-10-by-giving-for-climate-solutions-from-your-donor-advised-fund</link> <guid>https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/celebrate-daf-day-this-october-10-by-giving-for-climate-solutions-from-your-donor-advised-fund</guid> </item> </channel> </rss>

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