Climate Change Solutions - June 13, 2023

Bipartisan Rural Energy Savings Act: Reps. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.) and Sens. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the Rural Energy Saving Act of 2023 (H.R.3849/S.1821) on June 6. This bipartisan, bicameral proposal would update the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP), which provides loans to rural electric cooperatives and other eligible borrowers to help homeowners and renters finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and beneficial electrification upgrades to their homes. 

Hydrogen Highlights: Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) introduced the Hydrogen Aviation Development Act (S.1899/H.R.3960) to spur the use of hydrogen in the aviation sector. Sens. Ossoff and Graham also introduced the Hydrogen Aviation Strategy Act (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, offered ideas on how policymakers and industry alike can best leverage billions of dollars in new investments in hydrogen technologies. 

Addressing Policy that Hampers Industrial Hemp: Reps. Matthew Rosendale Sr. (R-Mont.) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.) and Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) introduced the Industrial Hemp Act (H.R.3755/S.980), a bill that would create a separate classification for industrial hemp, as opposed to cannabinoid hemp, removing restrictions for hemp growers. EESI’s article on industrial hemp in the Farm Bill discusses the crop's role in carbon sequestration and how targeted policy changes could help grow the industry. 

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for May 29-June 2 and June 5-9.

EESI is tracking recent announcements and updates about the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)

• The Department of Energy (DOE) announced over $192 million in funding for recycling, reprocessing, and collecting batteries from consumer products.
• The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the allocation of $725 million toward reclamation of former coal mining land, with funding available to 22 states and the Navajo Nation.
• DOI also announced $64 million in funding to plug and remediate orphaned oil and gas wells on public lands and waters.

• DOE, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released the notice of additional guidance for the Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit Allocation Program, which will implement an expanded $10 billion in funding to help improve clean energy supply chains and domestic industrial competitiveness. 
• DOI announced $161 million in funding for ecosystem restoration and resilience across 11 western states.
• The Treasury, IRS, and DOE released a notice of proposed rulemaking on the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program, which provides a competitive boost to tax credits for wind and solar energy projects in low-income communities.