Climate Change Solutions - December 20, 2022 | Newsletter

Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

Today's newsletter is focused on the progress that the 117th Congress made to address the climate crisis and what's in store for climate action in the new Congress.

Plus, keep reading for EESI's top articles from 2022, covering topics like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and sustainable aviation fuels.

With the start of the 118th Congress only a few weeks away, join us for our next briefing series, Congressional Climate Camp, to get up to speed on climate policy. Over the next few months, Climate Camp will cover budget and appropriations, public polling on climate, reducing non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases like methane, and implementing the IRA and IIJA. RSVP for Climate Camp.

Thank you for reading our newsletter every two weeks and keeping up with our educational resources. Happy holidays, and we will be back in your inbox in 2023!

On the Hill in 2022: A Breakdown of Climate, Environmental, and Energy Congressional Hearings
[4 min read]

Congress held 138 hearings on climate, environmental, and energy topics in 2022. This article analyzes the policies and issue areas Congress explored this year. We also provide a list of the 138 hearings included in this year’s hearing count. [click for more]

Farm Bill Legislative Side-by-Sides

Our latest Farm Bill resource, legislative side-by-sides, explore key Farm Bill programs that mitigate climate change. These resources will be updated to compare the House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill. The first two side-by-sides cover the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP). [click for more]

Year in Review: Progress on U.S. Climate Action and the Road Ahead
[31 min listen]

Acting Assistant Secretary for the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Alejandro Moreno joins us for the season finale of The Climate Conversation to recap the federal climate action that took place during the 117th Congress and what's next for the federal government to meet national climate goals. [click for more]

Congressional Climate Action: The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis held its final hearing and Chair Kathy Castor's (D-Fla.) staff released a new report showcasing the progress that Congress has made to address climate change and what additional policies and investments are needed next.

Farm Bill: The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee held a hearing on Farm Bill research programs. EESI is tracking the climate, environmental, and energy policy highlights of Congressional Farm Bill hearings.

Resilience Investments: The 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R.7776) passed both chambers of Congress. The bill includes the Water Resources Development Act, which authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out a wide-range of projects such as those that restore ecosystems, provide flood control, and address water challenges like drought.

Coal Mine Clean Up: The STREAM Act (S.3957) passed the Senate and would allow states to set aside Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act (P.L.117-58) funding for treatment of acid mine drainage, which is water polluted by abandoned coal mines.

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for December 5-9 and December 12-16.

Congressional Climate Camp

Ready to make a difference in climate policy? Join us for our start-of-the-new-Congress briefing series, Climate Camp. We will go over the basics of the legislative process, highlighting key areas and opportunities for climate mitigation and adaptation policy. Join us for briefings on:

Budget and Appropriations on Thursday, January 26 at 2:00 pm EST
Public Polling on Thursday, February 9 at 2:00 pm EST
Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases on Thursday, February 23 at 2:00 pm EST
Implementing the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on Thursday, March 9 at 2:00 pm EST

1. How the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Work Together to Advance Climate Action
[10 min read]

The Inflation Reduction Act represents the boldest action Congress has taken on climate yet—it will put the United States on a path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030. The Inflation Reduction Act coupled with the investments provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act could help the United States unleash clean energy, reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, create new jobs, and drive down greenhouse gas emissions. [click for more]

2. Clean Energy Tax Credits Get a Boost in New Climate Law
[9 min read]

The Inflation Reduction Act modifies and extends the Production Tax Credit and Investment Tax Credit. These tax credits, estimated at $30 billion over the next 10 years, will help spur the development of clean energy resources while also helping households to save money, reduce energy burdens, and cut greenhouse gas emissions. [click for more]

3. Cover Crops for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
[4 min read]

Years of unsustainable farming in the United States have resulted in soil erosion, pollinator loss, and other harmful impacts. At the same time, farms are vulnerable to climate impacts such as drought and extreme weather. Cover crops are one of the many sustainable agricultural practices that can help farmers mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis. [click for more]

4. Strength in Numbers: The Power of Collaborative Conservation in Alaska and Canada
[7 min read]

The entire United States, as well as parts of surrounding nations, used to be connected under the Large Landscape Cooperatives. That program (on hiatus) inspired the Northern Latitudes Partnerships, which practices conservation under a similar model in Alaska and Canada with a focus on Indigenous knowledge and relationship building. [click for more]

5. An Introduction to Sustainable Aviation Fuels
[5 min read]

In October 2021, major players in the U.S. commercial aviation industry announced an ambitious commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The strategy with the most promise for achieving this goal is expanding the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This is the first part of a series on SAF and its role in reducing aviation emissions. [click for more]

COP27 Briefings

Our COP27 briefing series wrapped up earlier this month. Missed a briefing? Highlight notes and recordings are now available for briefings on:

Latest Media Coverage

CNBC quoted EESI Executive Director Daniel Bresette in an article about carbon offset programs for air travel.
Daniel Bresette provided background and insight for a Washington Post article on heat pumps.

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Thanks to all EESI staff, interns, and fellows who contribute to Climate Change Solutions.

Have a question or suggestion? Reach out to Savannah Bertrand.

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.

Climate Change Solutions - December 20, 2022

Featuring a review of the 117th Congress and the latest Farm Bill hearings

Table Of Contents

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