Climate Change Solutions - August 4, 2020

Welcome to another edition of Climate Change Solutions!

• President Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act into law, authorizing $900 million in annual expenditures for maintenance and acquisitions of federal lands.
• They're back: Murder hornets captured in Washington state.
  • Read EESI's round-up of state and federal action on murder hornets here.
• New ACEEE report estimates over 660,000 jobs could be created from energy efficiency investments by 2023.
• Germany is considering installing 4,000 km of electric highways, which charge electric vehicles as they drive.
• Six years after it was formally proposed, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline has been canceled.
• In parts of the U.K., offshore wind has become so cheap it could now pay money back to consumers!

Love our work? Forward this newsletter to a friend! Have a climate solution? Reach out to Solutions editor Amber Todoroff with tips and gossip... and be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for great climate content!

Video Short: Chad Berginnis Talks about how U.S. Communities Are Dealing with Floods Association of State Floodplain Managers Executive Director Chad Berginnis talked to EESI about how coastal communities are dealing with flooding.
Headlines
	How Farmers are Growing Environmental Policy Solutions  [7 min. read] Rural leaders are calling for collaborative solutions between stakeholders and policymakers. But what do these collaborative solutions look like? And how are rural stakeholders involved in mitigating climate change? To answer these questions, EESI spoke with rural leaders from across the country in an attempt to highlight the important transdisciplinary work being done to address climate change. [click for more]
	California Leads the Country in Zero-Emission Trucks [4 min. read] California recently passed the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Regulation, the nation’s first electric vehicle (EV) requirement for commercial trucks. Under this regulation, truck manufacturers must ensure that a certain percentage of trucks sold are zero-emission. Click to read more about how California's EV standards set the stage for a new era in transportation. [click for more]
	Forest Climate Mitigation Policies and Programs in Action: Resources for the Future Holds Expert Discussion [5 min. read] Forests have always been appreciated for the tremendous benefits they provide to humans and wildlife, from erosion control, to habitat, to water filtration, to wood products. However, forests face threats from pests, wildfires, and development. Click to learn about programs and policies currently working to achieve community, climate change, and conservation goals simultaneously. [click for more]

On the Hill

From July 16 to 29, 2020, 14 bills were referred to committees in the Senate and 14 in the House to address environmental and energy issues. In addition to the introduction of environmentally relevant legislation, the House reported on two bills and passed one bill. The senate passed one bill.

Highlights

During this time period, Congress focused on land conservation and protection. S.4273 adds additional area to the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park and S.4356 reauthorizes the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. S.4357 promotes reforestation following unplanned events on federal lands.

Congress also focused on water and air quality. The House passed H.R.7575, the Water Resources Development Act of 2020. H.R.7822 and S.4369 protect clean air and public health. S.4277 amends the Toxic Substances Control Act. S.4352 provides for the water quality restoration of the Tijuana River and the New River.

See EESI's full environmental legislative tracker for July 16 - July 29.

	Climate Crisis Staff Report Aims to Build Back a Cleaner, More Resilient Aviation Sector [7 min. read] On June 30, the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis released its staff report. The report highlighted two primary paths for reducing aviation’s contribution to climate change, which are described in this article. [click for more]
	A Proposal for a “Marshall Plan” to Ease Energy Transition for Coal-Dependent Communities [3 min. read] On July 23, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) introduced the Marshall Plan for Coal Country Act (S.4306) to address the needs of coal communities as the nation transitions to a cleaner energy system. [click for more]

EESI Briefings, News and Fact Sheets
 

Q&A: New Infrastructure Playbook Calls for Adaptable Federal Policy [6 min. read] The New Partnership on Infrastructure recently released their New Playbook on Infrastructure (NPI). EESI spoke with John Porcari, President of Advisory Services at WSP USA, a member organization of NPI, about the playbook’s recommendations on climate, COVID-19, and the need for federal policy to be responsive to local priorities. [click for more] News: EESI Showcases Progress in New Impact Report [3 min. read] As part of a communications redesign to make our information more accessible, visually appealing, and easier to use, EESI launched its revamped annual report, now known as the EESI Impact Report. Check out the new design and our future plans for an Impact Report newsletter here [click for more]

EESI Around Town
 

EESI's fossil fuel subsidies fact sheet was cited in an article by Morning Consult.

EESI's aviation fact sheet was cited by Inlander in an article about more sustainable air travel.

    Upcoming Events:

     EESI is pleased to announce our September briefing series, Workforce Wednesdays!
    
     Every Wednesday in September, EESI will hold a free virtual panel on policies and
     programs promoting a low-carbon workforce, including:

• September 2: High School Career & Technical Training
• September 9: Conservation Corps
• September 16: Western Coal Communities & the Energy Transition
• September 23: Low-carbon Manufacturing: Mass Timber
• September 30: Small Businesses & COVID Recovery

    Check back on our website soon for announcements on speakers and RSVP information.
 

Thank You to EESI Team Members for their Contributions to Climate Change Solutions:

Environmental and Energy Study Institute  Daniel Bresette, Executive Director   EESI is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1984 by a bipartisan Congressional caucus to provide timely information and develop innovative policy solutions that set us on a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy path.

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