Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | November 13 - November 17, 2023

Highlights:

Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), alongside Democratic cosponsors, reintroduced the Climate Displaced Persons Act (S.3340/H.R.6455). This bicameral bill establishes new protections for people displaced by climate disasters abroad, as well as immigration pathways to the United States.

Reps. Zachary Nunn (R-Iowa), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), and Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) introduced the Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity (Ag BIO) Act (H.R.6413). The bill increases grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to bolster innovations in biofuels and other bioproducts. 

Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) introduced the Supporting Trucking Efficiency and Emission Reductions (STEER) Act (S.3315). The bipartisan bill establishes a voucher program to make emissions reduction technologies for Class 8 trucks more accessible and affordable. EESI’s related fact sheet discusses the benefits and feasibility of semi-truck fleet electrification. 

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works concluded a hearing on the climate and economic benefits of industrial decarbonization, as well as opportunities to grow the sector. The industrial sector, including the production of building materials, is responsible for a large portion of carbon dioxide emissions. EESI’s article, Achieving Sustainability in the Built Environment, Brick by Brick, explores ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from building materials.

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