Climate Change Solutions - May 24, 2022 | Newsletter

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Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

Looking for climate solutions from your state? You're in luck. We are excited to unveil a new map that organizes EESI resources on environmental, energy, and climate topics by state. Also in this issue, we travel to Hawaii, North Carolina, Texas, and Maryland to dive into local climate challenges and solutions.

Speaking of climate solutions, the Clean School Bus Program is one of the first new programs launched out of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Last Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency opened the first application round for the program, making $500 million available to public school districts, tribal organizations, and other eligible entities. Over the next five years, the program will provide $5 billion to replace existing school buses with electric and other zero-emission bus options.

Electric school buses are a win-win for the climate and children's health. A recent EESI article explored how electric school buses in Colorado are providing safer, cleaner, and cheaper rides. Also in Colorado, an episode of EESI's podcast examined the state's first electric school bus with vehicle-to-grid capabilities. To learn more about electrification, head to EESI's Beneficial Electrification Toolkit.

Coming up! We are continuing our series, Scaling Up Innovation to Drive Down Emissions, with briefings on direct air capture on May 25 and electric vehicle charging infrastructure on June 2.

While most of EESI's summer interns started just last week (welcome to the team!), we are already looking ahead to fall. Apply to be a paid intern on our policy, communications, and Access Clean Energy Savings teams by June 12.

Have a climate solution? Send tips to Savannah Bertrand!

Headlines

New EESI Resource: Climate Solutions Map By State

We are excited to unveil a new EESI tool: a map that compiles EESI resources—including articles, briefings, podcasts, and white papers—by state. Click on the map to explore state and local climate, environmental, and energy solutions. [click for more]

Ridge-to-Reef Commitment to Climate and Culture in Hawai'i
[4 min. read]

A network of stakeholders called the Ala Wai Watershed Collaboration on the island of Oahu is taking a holistic approach to tackling climate and pollution threats. They aim to have the projects they develop meet the state's climate and sustainability goals as well as align with Native Hawaiian values and culture. [click for more]

Moratorium on Offshore Wind Leases off the Atlantic Coast Will Have Ripple Effects on State Emission Reduction Plans
[4 min. read]

A moratorium on offshore energy leasing, including for oil, gas, and wind, along the southern Atlantic coast will take effect on July 1, 2022. Not only will the moratorium affect the ability of the United States to meet its climate goals, but it will particularly affect the clean energy plans of southeastern states like North Carolina. [click for more]

Climate Change Adaptation in Action in Galveston Bay, Texas
[3 min. read]

Galveston Bay is a diverse ecosystem along the Gulf of Mexico brimming with prairies, marshes, and oyster reefs. Over the last 120 years, the sea level in the area has risen by more than 27 inches. The Galveston Bay Foundation has been working in the region since 1987 to restore and protect these habitats. [click for more]

Tackling Trash with Giant Googly Eyes: Q&A with Baltimore’s Mr. Trash Wheel
[4 min. read]

The city of Baltimore, Maryland, has a unique solution for waste in the Baltimore Harbor: a giant conveyor belt with five-foot googly eyes named Mr. Trash Wheel. With a robust social media following, Mr. Trash Wheel reaches a wide audience in a charming way to raise awareness about trash pollution. [click for more]

On the Hill

It's appropriations season in Congress—the time when Congress sets out to decide on funding amounts for all federal agencies and programs for the following year—and the Senate and House Appropriations Committees have been holding a plethora of hearings. EESI's recent briefing series, Agencies in Action, explored the longstanding federal programs delivering a host of climate, environmental, economic, and social benefits nationwide. If you missed any of the briefings in that series, highlights and recordings can be found here.

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing on addressing climate change at U.S. airports. EESI’s aviation web page has materials on reducing the climate impacts of aviation, including sustainable aviation fuel s.

Also in the House, the Committee on Foreign Affairs held a hearing on the importance of forest conservation in fighting climate change. Interested in learning more about conservation? Check out EESI’s briefing, Building a Durable National Framework for Large Landscape Conservation.

The bipartisan PRECIP Act (S.3053/H.R.1437) passed the House. The bill aims to update National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration precipitation data to better inform zoning decisions and help communities prepare for climate impacts like flooding. To learn more about the importance of precipitation data, check out EESI’s briefing, Protecting Vulnerable Communities from Climate Impacts.

See EESI's full environment and energy legislative trackers for May 9-13 and May 16-20.

EESI News and Briefings

Briefing Video Available: Sea Level Rise

Sea level rise is a unique challenge for coastal communities. During EESI's recent briefing on sea level rise, panelists highlighted policy ideas and solutions for addressing the problem. A recording of the briefing and speaker slides are now available. [click for more]

Upcoming Events

Briefing Series: Scaling Up Innovation to Drive Down Emissions
Direct Air Capture
Wednesday, May 25
3:30pm - 5:00pm

Direct air capture is the process in which carbon dioxide is chemically removed from the atmosphere. The captured carbon can be permanently stored underground or used in industrial processes. While climate change mitigation efforts are the priority, carbon dioxide removal will be necessary to help meet climate goals. Panelists will explain what Congress needs to know about direct air capture, including the considerations, challenges, and opportunities involved in responsibly scaling it up. RSVP here.

Building Out Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
Thursday, June 2
1:00pm - 2:30pm

Electric vehicles are crucial for decarbonizing the U.S. transportation sector, which accounts for 29 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions—more than any other sector. How can charging infrastructure be rapidly expanded? What are the considerations for ensuring that charging infrastructure is accessible, equitable, and efficient? How can innovation improve charging infrastructure? Panelists will discuss these questions and the policy solutions that can help scale up electric vehicle charging infrastructure to drive down emissions. RSVP here.

These briefings are part of EESI's Scaling Up Innovation to Drive Down Emissions briefing series, also covering green hydrogen and offshore wind energy. RSVP for the entire series here.

Briefing Series: Living With Climate Change
Wildfires
Monday, June 13
1:00pm - 2:30pm

Billions of dollars are spent fighting wildfires every year, and the cascading environmental, economic, health, and societal impacts of wildfires are enormous. Over the last century, battling wildfires after they have started has been the main approach to address this threat. Now, more proactive and preventative steps are needed. Panelists will discuss policies and practices that would allow the United States to reduce the overall risk of wildfires, including how innovations in community-centered wildfire protection can improve resilience for humans and ecosystems. RSVP here.

This briefing is part of EESI's Living With Climate Change briefing series, also covering the polar vortex and extreme heat. RSVP for the entire series here.

Pathways to Regenerative Agriculture: Farm Policy for the 21st Century
Thursday, June 16
12:00pm - 1:30pm

EESI and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) invite you to a briefing on regenerative agriculture. Regenerative agriculture, or farming in sync with the local environment and climate, produces multiple economic, climate, and societal benefits. Examples of these practices include reducing or eliminating synthetic pesticide and fertilizer use and soil tillage. The briefing will feature findings from NRDC’s new report, Regenerative Agriculture: Farm Policy for the 21st Century, which was informed by conversations with farmers and ranchers from 47 states and Washington, D.C. RSVP here.

Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy Forum (EXPO 2022)
Monday, July 25
1:00pm - 5:00pm

EESI and the Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (REEE) Caucuses invite you to join us for the 25th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy Forum (EXPO 2022), to be held online. The EXPO will showcase technology and policy solutions to today’s climate and energy use challenges.

High-level speakers will share findings and innovations to mitigate climate change, improve the economy, build resilience, and protect U.S. energy and national security interests. RSVP here.

EESI Around Town

A piece from NPR about an energy-efficiency program that received money from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act cited an EESI resource on weatherization.

A piece from Forbes on climate investing cited EESI's fossil fuel topic page.

A piece from Space about the climate impacts of rocket launches cited EESI's fact sheet on the growth of aviation sector emissions.

Thanks to Savannah Bertrand (Newsletter Editor), Emma Johnson and Alison Davis (Layout and Design Editors), Amaury Laporte (Content Editor), and all EESI staff, interns, and fellows who contribute to creating and reviewing 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

Climate Change Solutions - May 24, 2022

Featuring content on local climate solutions from across the country

Table Of Contents

Thanks to Savannah Bertrand (Newsletter Editor), Emma Johnson and Alison Davis (Layout and Design Editors), Amaury Laporte (Content Editor), and all EESI staff, interns, and fellows who contribute to creating and reviewing content.