Climate Change Solutions - February 7, 2023 | Newsletter

Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

Today's issue is focused on sustainable agriculture and energy efficiency. Keep reading to learn about the numerous benefits of perennial crops. Plus, check out our new Farm Bill legislative side-by-sides, which will be updated when the House and Senate unveil their bills.

Also in this issue is the next installment in our e nergy efficiency for nonprofits article series—this time, we take you backstage to learn about the energy efficiency upgrades installed at the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts in Hartford, Connecticut.

And don't miss the next briefing in our Congressional Climate Camp series, Public Polling on Climate Change, happening this Thursday at 2pm EST. RSVP to join in person or watch online.

Perennial Grains Could Be the Future of Sustainable Agriculture
[6 min read]

Annual crops require farmers to use soil-intensive practices such as tilling, plowing, and applying herbicides. Perennial crops, on the other hand, can help soil absorb more water and reduce erosion, in addition to sequestering carbon to mitigate climate change. Learn about the benefits of perennial grains and efforts to make these crops more widely adopted. [click for more]

Farm Bill Legislative Side-by-Sides for Climate Programs

Check out our latest legislative side-by-sides on the Farm Bill wood and forestry programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including the Healthy Forests Reserve Program. These resources will compare the House and Senate versions of the bill and will be updated as the legislative texts are published. [click for more]

How a Connecticut Theater Put Energy Efficiency in the Spotlight
[5 min read]

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, a nonprofit theater in Hartford, Connecticut, has been a mainstay in the community for over 90 years. The theater installed energy efficiency upgrades that save money, reduce emissions, and keep customers and performers comfortable. [click for more]

Food waste: A number of bills were introduced to help reduce food waste. S.179 and H.R.651 would designate and provide funding for composting as a conservation practice, while S.177 and H.R.652 would provide grants for food waste reduction. These bills were reintroduced from the last Congress and were discussed during EESI's briefing on federal policy solutions for reducing food waste to drive down emissions.

Forest restoration: Forest restoration has been another key focus for Congress. S.188 would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to undertake large-scale forest restoration projects to reduce wildfire risks. Another bill introduced last week, S.202, would reauthorize the USDA’s Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP). For information on opportunities in the Farm Bill to bolster forest restoration, including through CFLRP, check out our latest Farm Bill legislative side-by-sides.

Disaster assistance: The House passed the Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act (H.R.255). The bill aims to improve and simplify the information-gathering processes for disaster assistance applicants and grantees.

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for January 23-27 and January 30-February 3.

Briefing Series: Congressional Climate Camp

Every other Thursday from 2:00pm - 3:30pm EST
All briefings are in person and also available via livestream at eesi.org/livecast

Ready to make a difference in climate policy but not sure where to start? Join us for our start-of-the-new Congress briefing series, Congressional Climate Camp. We will go over the basics of the legislative process and highlight key areas for climate mitigation and adaptation policy.

Public Polling on Climate Change
Thursday, February 9, 2:00pm - 3:30pm EST
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center - CVC 217
The second session will explore the latest analyses of public opinion on climate change across sectors and geography and explain why it matters for the 118th Congress. RSVP

Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases
Thursday, February 23, 2:00pm - 3:30pm EST
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center - CVC 268
The third session will examine the sources of and solutions to address methane, nitrous oxides, and fluorinated gas emissions. RSVP

Implementing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
Thursday, March 9, 2:00pm - 3:30pm EST
Rayburn House Office Building 2168 (Gold Room)
The final session will describe how state and local governments are accessing IRA and IIJA funds and explain the oversight role Congress must play to maximize these investments to advance climate work and strengthen critical infrastructure. RSVP

ACORE Policy Forum

Thursday, March 9, 9am - 5pm
Convene, 600 14th Street NW, Washington D.C.

EESI is proud to be a supporting partner for the American Council on Renewable Energy's (ACORE's) Policy Forum, which returns on March 9, 2023, to unite senior leaders from across government and the renewable energy industry in Washington, D.C.

Secure your spot to forge new business connections and connect with the nation's leading policy experts. Register today using the exclusive code “EESI15” to save 15% off your ticket.

Briefing video now available online!

Our Congressional Climate Camp series kicked off on January 26 with a briefing on budget and appropriations. Want to re-watch the briefing? Looking to download the presentations by our expert panelists? Check all the briefing materials here.

Latest Media Coverage

EESI President Daniel Bresette was quoted in an article in Connected World about energy distribution and storage.
EESI Access Clean Energy Savings Program Manager John-Michael Cross was quoted in an article in Sierra Magazine about switching from a gas to an induction stove.

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

Environmental and Energy Study Institute
Daniel Bresette, President

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 - February 7, 2023

Featuring content on sustainable agriculture and energy efficiency

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