Climate Change Solutions - May 30, 2023

Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

At EESI, we're excited that the Department of Energy opened a funding opportunity for the brand-new Renew America's Nonprofits program last week. With $45 million in funds allocated through the Investment Infrastructure and Jobs Act, the program offers grants to nonprofits to implement energy efficiency upgrades, such as better insulation, windows, and heat pumps. Full applications are due August 3, 2023.

In this issue, you'll find articles diving into topics like energy efficiency in a Kentucky church, the energy storage potential of iron batteries, and the Environmental Protection Agency's new federal vehicle emissions standards. Coming up, EESI's Farm Bill in Focus briefing series continues on June 7 and June 21 with briefings on forestry (co-hosted by U.S. Nature4Climate) and conservation. 

But first, on Thursday, EESI and the Environmental Defense Fund are hosting a briefing on maximizing the climate benefits of hydrogen, featuring lunch and a chance to chat with some of the experts on the topic. 

Warm thanks go to our departing spring interns, Madeline, Lynlee, Isabella, and Tyler — we couldn't have done it without you!

Cover Crop Coverage Legislation Returns: Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) reintroduced the Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program (COVER) Act (H.R.3478/S.1690), a bipartisan bill that would provide a crop insurance discount to farmers choosing to plant cover crops. EESI discussed the provisions of last year’s COVER Act and examined the benefits of cover crops for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

EVs for EV-eryone: The EVs for All Act (H.R.3468/S.1704) was reintroduced in both chambers with support from 24 cosponsors. The bill would develop a grant program to support electric vehicle car sharing at public housing projects.

Expanding Organic: Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.) introduced the Opportunities in Organic Act (H.R.3650), a bill that would reduce barriers to pursuing organic agriculture and aim to strengthen the organic marketplace. Sen. Welch (D-Vt.) introduced the same bill (S.1582) earlier in May in the Senate. EESI recently partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council to host a briefing on the climate, health, and economic case for expanding organic agriculture.

Keeping the Gila River Wild: The M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act (S.776) was reintroduced in the Senate by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.Mex), following the introduction last month of the House's version of the bill, H.R.1611. The bill would designate portions of the Gila river as “Wild and Scenic,” which would prevent them from being dammed or diverted. EESI’s article, “Keeping the Gila River Wild for People and the Planet,” dives deeper into the importance of this designation for the Gila.

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for May 15-19 and May 22-26.

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)

• Applications are officially open for the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Renew America's Nonprofits grant. The grant program will help fund energy efficiency improvements for buildings owned by nonprofits. For more information on energy efficiency for nonprofits, check out EESI's resource page. 
• The Federal Transit Administration announced $220 million in funding to help support and modernize ferry programs in rural and urban communities.
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced $160 million in funding for climate and disaster resiliency for states, communities, tribes, territories, and the District of Columbia.

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $500 million in grant funding to support voluntary, partner-driven conservation efforts on agricultural land.
• The DOE announced a $150 million investment in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, supporting the laboratory in its development of clean and carbon-free energy.
• The Department of the Interior announced a $62.5 million investment in endangered species recovery planning, aiming to benefit the over 300 species listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Have a question or a solution we should cover? Email us!
 

Thanks to all EESI staff, interns, and fellows who contribute to Climate Change Solutions