Climate Change Solutions - May 11, 2021 | Newsletter

Welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

This week, read how New Jersey is designing environmental justice policy, catch up with how 12 federal agencies are incorporating climate considerations under the Biden-Harris Administration's "all-of-government" approach to climate change, and learn about how experts from different industries are developing cross-sectoral solutions to nation-wide decarbonization policy.

Also, read how one intern went from EESI to a renewable energy career and listen to the latest episode of The Climate Conversation, which recaps our fourth Congressional Climate Camp.

Have a climate solution? Send tips to Solutions editor Amber Todoroff!

Headlines New Jersey Strives to Address Cumulative Impacts of Pollution in Environmental Justice Legislation [7 min. read] As Congress continues to prioritize justice in its approach to environmental policy, the federal government could look to states like New Jersey that are leading on addressing cumulative impacts. New Jersey garnered national attention last September after the state passed a groundbreaking environmental justice law (S.232/A.2212). [click for more]
	Biden Remakes Government in Climate Effort [6 min. read] President Biden has promised to take a “whole-of-government” approach to tackling climate change — a first for a sitting president. Five months in, that plan is taking shape. From the Internal Revenue Service to NASA, federal departments are mobilizing for climate action. Click to read how 12 top federal agencies are joining the fight against climate change. [click for more]
	The Decarbonization Dialogue: Brainstorming Opportunities for Accelerating Nation-wide Decarbonization [3 min. read] From industry to agriculture, buildings, power generation, and transportation, each sector has unique challenges and opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In order to maximize the impact of climate policies, the Decarbonization Dialogue brought experts from the agricultural, power, and transportation sectors together to develop a suite of cross-cutting policy recommendations. [click for more]

On the Hill

From April 27 to May 7, Congress introduced a total of 77 bills, resolutions, and amendments related to environmental and energy topics. One bill, the Drinking Water and Wastewater Act of 2021 (S.914), and one joint resolution nullifying a 2020 rule on oil and gas emissions (S.J.Res.14) passed the Senate. The Senate and House held 18 hearings and markups related to environmental and energy topics.

Highlights

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing on the National Climate Bank Act, S.283, and the House Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing on the Restoring Resilient Reef Act, H.R.160.

Energy has been a major topic in Congress. Three bills, H.R.3048, H.R.3053, and H.R.2836, seek to prohibit oil and gas leasing in certain areas of the Outer Continental Shelf. H.R.2885 and S.1432 would establish an electric grid resilience grant program and an electric grid resilience research and development program. Other bills, such as H.R.2854 and H.R.2780, also address resilience. Finally, H.R.2948 aims to promote domestic manufacturing of fuel efficient and zero emissions vehicles, and H.R.2852 aims to establish a rebate program to promote the purchase and installation of electric vehicle equipment.

See EESI's full environmental legislative tracker for April 27 to May 7 in the Senate here

and the environmental legislative tracker for April 27 to May 7 in the House here

EESI News, Briefings and Fact Sheets

Reflections: Finding a Place in the Sun: Reflections of a Former EESI intern
[3 min. read]

"I am confident that the work being done at EESI is essential to the continued success of renewable energy. So thank you, EESI, for what you have taught me, and all that you continue to do to make our world a brighter and healthier place to live!"

Click to read more about Rachael Shook's experience at EESI! [click for more]

Podcast: Episode 13: ICYMI: Congressional Climate Camp 4: Federal Policies for Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Win-Wins
[20 min. listen]

This week, Dan and Sydney discussed the key takeaways from the fourth Congressional Climate Camp, condensing the 2-hour briefing into just 20 minutes. Perfect for people who missed the briefing but still want to catch up with it on the go! [click for more]

EESI Around Town

EESI's fossil fuel subsidies fact sheet was cited by Grist, USA Today, and NBC Universal.

Polygraph cited EESI in an article about China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Senior Fellow Richard Nunno was quoted by Freightwaves in a recent article on rail electrification.

Upcoming Events

Ambition and Opportunity in America's New Climate Commitments
Tomorrow!
May 12 2:00pm - 3:30 pm EST
Online

On April 22, the Biden-Harris Administration announced America’s new greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments in the context of the Paris Agreement. The new U.S. Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) sets a goal of reducing emissions by 50-52 percent based on a 2005 baseline by 2030.

During this briefing, experts will discuss the new emissions reduction goal, why it matters, and how it can be used as a guide for domestic federal policy development and design. The briefing will also explain how the U.S. NDC fits into the overall architecture of international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience to climate impacts.

RSVP here!

Electrification 2021
Virtual forum series

This summer, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is holding a series of virtual forums to enable comprehensive collaboration and informative exchanges on electrification solutions.

Building to Zero (May 17-20)
Frontiers of e-Mobility (June 7-10)
A Net-Zero Energy System for All (June 28-30)

Thank You to EESI Team Members for Their Contributions to Climate Change Solutions:

Sydney O'Shaughnessy - Layout, Design, and Content Editor

Amaury Laporte - Communications Director

As well as all EESI Staff, Interns, and Fellows who write and review content!

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.

www.eesi.org

CFC #10627

Table Of Contents

Thank You to EESI Team Members for Their Contributions to Climate Change Solutions: