Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

In this issue, we’re looking back and looking forward. You’ll find an article highlighting EESI’s key accomplishments over 40 years of Congressional education, plus a podcast episode about the role of subnational climate diplomacy in addressing ocean acidification.

Our briefings continue on April 1, with the 2025 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook briefing. Below you'll find a cluster of renewable energy articles to help you prep for it! Join us in the Rayburn House Office Building’s Gold Room (2168) at 3 p.m. for this collaboration with the Business Council for Sustainable Energy. RSVP here.

Podcast: Keeping U.S. Climate Action Afloat: Subnational Diplomacy on Ocean Acidification
[31 min. listen]

With the United States withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, there is uncertainty about what U.S. climate diplomacy will look like under the current administration. But many state governments are poised to continue making progress on global climate action, including on ocean acidification. Hosts Daniel Bresette and Alison Davis sat down with Jessie Turner, executive director of the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification, to explore the landscape—or seascape—of subnational climate diplomacy. [click for more]

Nuclear Energy Fund Bill Radiates Out of Committee: The House Financial Services Committee passed the International Nuclear Energy Financing Act of 2025 (H.R.1474). Reps. French Hill (R-Ark.) and Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) reintroduced the bill to support the creation of a trust fund for nuclear energy assistance at the World Bank and other international financial institutions.

Western Reps Reintroduce Habitat Connectivity Bill: Reps. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) and Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) reintroduced the Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act (H.R.2235) to help wildlife migrate through agricultural and grazing lands. Specifically, the bill would leverage the Farm Bill's conservation programs to support farmers in increasing habitat connectivity on their lands.

Bipartisan Bill Would Incentivize Low-Emission Construction Materials: Reps. Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.) and Max Miller (R-Ohio) reintroduced the IMPACT Act 2.0 (H.R.2122). The bill aims to boost the competitiveness of low-emissions cement, concrete, and asphalt production in the United States. Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) reintroduced a Senate counterpart, the Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act (S.1067), last week. EESI’s briefing, Clean Manufacturing in America, discusses the benefits of bolstering the domestic manufacturing of clean energy and energy efficiency technologies as well as low-emissions materials.

Bill for Rural Water System Disaster Resilience Reintroduced: Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) reintroduced the Rural Water System Disaster Preparedness and Assistance Act (S.1019) to strengthen rural water and wastewater utilities’ resilience to extreme weather events. If passed, the bill would provide water utility operators with disaster preparedness training and technical assistance to address system vulnerabilities.

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for March 10-14 and March 17-21.

2025 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook
Tuesday, April 1
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EDT
Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2168 (Gold Room) and online
RSVP here

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) invite you to a briefing about the 13th edition of the Sustainable Energy in America Factbook. The Factbook provides valuable year-over-year data and insights on the U.S. energy transformation, featuring an in-depth look at the energy efficiency, renewable energy, and natural gas sectors, as well as transmission, digitalization, microgrids, offshore wind, hydrogen, and renewable natural gas.

Towards Healthier Outcomes in Surface Transportation
Thursday, April 10
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EDT
Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2168 (Gold Room) and online
RSVP here

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), the American Public Health Association, and Transportation for America invite you to a briefing about the public health implications of transportation policy. As Congress embarks on the surface transportation reauthorization process, policymakers have the opportunity to revisit federal policies and investments that also shape public health, prosperity, and climate outcomes.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the House and Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (REEE) Caucuses invite you to join us for the 28th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum (EXPO 2025). 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. The EXPO is free to attend and open to the public. The Policy Forum panels will be streamed live.