Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

As temperatures soar around the country, extreme heat is at the top of our minds. EESI has great resources to help understand the climate change-heat connection. Check out our Q&A with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on their responses to extreme heat, our podcast on policy solutions to the dangers of extreme heat, and our briefings on innovative weather forecasting and building extreme heat preparedness.

Extreme heat can have profound effects on public health. EESI’s new public health topic page shares key understandings of how climate change intersects with health, and pulls together EESI’s relevant resources on the topic. 

In this issue, you’ll also find a new batch of Farm Bill side-by-sides. Our latest resources highlight differences between the House version of the Farm Bill and existing law for the BioPreferred Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and Rural Energy for America Program.

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, Climate Change Solutions will take a break on July 2. But we will be back on July 16. Until then, stay cool, and don’t forget to RSVP for our Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum on July 30! 

Public Health Topic Page
[10 min. read]

In our latest topic page, we discuss how climate change intersects with public health impacts. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has stated that infectious diseases, heat, malnutrition, mental health, and displacement are all adversely impacted by climate change and will be occurring in North America at an increasing rate. [click for more]

Following the Farm Bill: As the House Farm Bill, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 (H.R.8467), progresses through the legislative process, EESI is churning out legislative side-by-sides that compare the House text to current law. EESI’s latest lineup of legislative side-by-sides provides comparisons for the BioPreferred Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and Rural Energy for America Program.

NDAA Keeps Moving: The House passed the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (NDAA) (H.R.8070). This annual “must-pass” legislation sets defense policy and authorizes national security spending, including spending on energy security, climate resilience, and pollution cleanup. The Senate Committee on Armed Services also approved its version of the bill, which will now move to the Senate floor for debate.

Wiping Out Pollution: The House also passed the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act (H.R.2964). Reps. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) reintroduced the bill, which would improve labeling for non-flushable products, preventing expensive damage to sewage systems and reducing trash flow into rivers and oceans. Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) are the sponsors of companion legislation in the Senate (S.1350).

Assistance for Small Businesses: The Rural Small Business Resilience Act (H.R.7984), penned by Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and bipartisan cosponsors, passed the House. The bill aims to ensure that rural small businesses have access to emergency assistance following natural disasters. EESI’s briefing, Living with Climate Change: Integrating Equity into Emergency Management, explores more ways to ensure that disaster funding reaches those who need it most. 

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for June 3-7 and June 10-14

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 $900 million in funding for generation III+ small modular reactor nuclear technologies. These reactors are less expensive and considered more flexible than conventional ones.
• The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced $725 million for funding land reclamation and restoration on abandoned mine lands.
• DOI also announced $142 million in funding for water recycling and desalination, helping to improve drought resilience in five states.

• DOI announced a $700 million investment in improving water resilience and conservation in the Lower Colorado River Basin.
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced $60 million for climate resilience job training programs, helping to build a “climate-ready workforce.”
• DOE has updated several key resources for the Home Energy Rebates program, including requirement documents, FAQs, and sample responses. The program will help provide money back to households implementing efficiency and electrification upgrades.

2024 Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum
Tuesday, July 30
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT
Rayburn House Office Building Foyer, Gold Room (Room 2168), and online

EESI and the House and Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucuses invite you to join us for the 27th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum (EXPO 2024). Top-level speakers will showcase technologies and solutions that reduce carbon emissions, save households money, improve the economy, build resilience, and protect our security interests. RSVP here.

Latest Media Coverage

• An article from the National League of Cities mentioned EESI’s Cities Leading the Way on Nature-Based Solutions briefing. In her article, Flagstaff Mayor and EESI panelist Becky Daggett highlighted Flagstaff’s use of nature-based solutions to address climate change.
• ABC Australia mentioned EESI’s Innovations in Weather Forecasting for a Changing Climate briefing in an article about the future of AI in weather forecasting.
• EESI’s article series on sustainable aviation fuels was referenced in an article from BizzBuzz, an outlet that focuses on international entrepreneurship and economics.
• The Henry Herald, a local news outlet based in Georgia, cited EESI’s electric semi-truck fact sheet in its article about the current state of heavy-duty electric trucks.