Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | June 5 - June 9, 2023

Highlights:

Reps. Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.) and James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Sens. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the Rural Energy Saving Act of 2023 (H.R.3849/S.1821), which would update the Rural Energy Savings Program, a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that provides loans to rural utilities to run financing programs that help their members make energy efficiency, renewable energy, and beneficial electrification upgrades to their homes. The bill would make the program more accessible to rural electric co-ops across the country.  

Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) and Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) introduced H.R.3960 and S.1899, designed to spur the use of hydrogen in the aviation sector. The senators also introduced  S.1902, which would require the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Energy to develop federal and international policies to facilitate safe and efficient hydrogen use in the aviation sector. EESI’s recent briefing with the Environmental Defense Fund, Maximizing the Climate Benefits of Hydrogen, offers ideas on how policymakers and industry alike can best leverage billions of dollars in hydrogen investment. 

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry’s Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research held a hearing to examine how the 2018 Farm Bill (P.L. 115-334) assists specialty crop producers, with a focus on the horticulture title. EESI tracks the climate, environment, and energy highlights of all the 2023 Farm Bill hearings here.

To catch up on all of the recent environmental and energy legislation in Congress, read the PDF here.