Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

The first sprouts of a new Farm Bill became visible last week. Last Wednesday, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) released a section-by-section of the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act, her version of the Farm Bill. Chair Stabenow also took to the Senate Floor to talk about her priorities. At the same time, House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) gave stakeholders a sneak peek of his bill in a title-by-title overview ahead of a markup planned for May 23. For those new to the Farm Bill and eager to catch up, check out our briefing series that started with an expert panel, The Process and Path Forward for Passing a Bipartisan Farm Bill.

Here at EESI, we have two more upcoming briefings keeping us busy on the Hill. On May 23, we’re bringing cities to the forefront with our briefing, Cities Leading the Way on Nature-Based Solutions—RSVP here. And join us to learn more about maximizing the impacts of natural climate solutions at our June 11 briefing. Don’t forget to RSVP to discover how these bipartisan solutions can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and benefit communities.

Finally, it’s never too early to get excited (and RSVP) for the EXPO. Clear your calendar on July 30 for EESI’s 2024 Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum, which will bring a full day of Congressional speakers, panels, and exhibitors on all things clean energy and energy efficiency.

Powering Affordable Clean Energy in Rural Areas: Showcasing Three Rural Cooperatives
[12 min. read]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced $139 million in awards through the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) Program, a partially forgivable loan program for rural electric cooperatives, nonprofits, utility districts, local governments, and tribal nations to install solar and battery storage projects in rural communities. This article takes a closer look at three PACE awardees in Nebraska, Colorado, and Arizona. (Image credit: Trico Electric Cooperative) [click for more]

New Law Provides L-eagle Protections for Migratory Birds: On April 24, President Biden signed the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023 (P.L. 118-51) into law. Led by Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Dave Joyce (R-Ohio), and Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), this law will reauthorize and bolster a congressionally-mandated grant program for habitat conservation, education, and research and monitoring.

House Plugs Legislation on Well Remediation to the Senate: Last week, the House passed the Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act (H.R.4877/S.429). Reps. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) and Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) and Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) introduced the bill, which would accelerate research to plug abandoned and hazardous oil and gas wells.

Weather Act Reauthorization in the Senate’s Forecast: House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chair Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) and Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) saw their Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R.6093) pass the House. The bill reauthorizes weather modeling and forecasting research programs under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The reauthorization also creates new programs to improve forecasting, increase public-private partnerships, and bolster hazardous weather preparedness. Rep. Sorensen (D-Ill.) discussed the Weather Act in his introduction of EESI’s briefing, Innovations in Weather Forecasting for a Changing Climate.

House Supplied with Supply Chain Bill to Vote On: The House Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2023 (H.R.6571) to the House floor for a vote. Reps. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) introduced the bill, which would strengthen domestic supply chains through improved, comprehensive mapping and monitoring—including for the critical minerals required for clean energy technologies discussed during EESI’s recent briefing on the 2024 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook.

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for April 22-26 and April 29-May 3.

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)

• EPA announced $3 billion in funding to replace lead pipes in every U.S. state and territory, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s $15 billion IIJA investment in finding and replacing lead lines.
• The Department of Transportation announced $148 million in grant funding for improving air quality at ports by reducing emissions from port trucking.
• The Department of Energy announced $78 million in funding to increase access to and improve the reliability of clean and low-cost energy via the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program. EESI’s Updates from Rural America briefing sheds more light on the benefits of the ERA program.

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

• EPA launched the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program, which will dedicate almost $1 billion to replacing pollution-emitting heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission equivalents.
• The Department of the Interior announced $147 million in funding for community preparedness and response projects that would make communities in 10 states more resilient to water reliability challenges like drought.
• USDA announced $144 million in investments for infrastructure and energy projects within the Rural Partners Network, an alliance created by the Biden-Harris Administration to help build rural prosperity.

Cities Leading the Way on Nature-Based Solutions
Thursday, May 23
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm EDT
North Congressional Meeting Room (CVC 268) and online

In the first installment in our briefing series about climate solutions from small- and medium-sized cities, speakers will discuss nature-based solutions in urban settings—from parks that help manage stormwater to urban trees that reduce summer temperatures across entire neighborhoods. Panelists will highlight equitable and community-designed climate solutions from the places they live and work in and describe the intersection points with federal policy and programs. RSVP here
 

Maximizing the Impact of Natural Climate Solutions
Tuesday, June 11
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EDT
South Congressional Meeting Room (CVC 217) and online

Around 92% of people across the political spectrum are in support of implementing natural climate solutions to address climate change. In collaboration with U.S. Nature4Climate and the Bipartisan Policy Center, this briefing will foster discussion on natural climate solutions, which leverage natural processes to reduce carbon emissions, sequester carbon, and bring new income and employment opportunities to rural America. RSVP here

4th Annual Sustainability Week U.S.
Wednesday, June 12 - Thursday, June 13 
Online (Wednesday) and in person in New York (Thursday)

Hosted by Economist Impact, with EESI as a media sponsor, Sustainability Week U.S. will deliver vital information that stakeholders can use to move faster on reducing emissions and improving environmental impacts in 2024. With new how-to workshops, the Chief Sustainability Officer Leaders’ Club, and unique action hour sessions, alongside extensive networking opportunities and an exhibition, this event is not to be missed. Register here (Climate Change Solutions readers benefit from a 15% discount code, EESI/MP15)

2024 Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum
Tuesday, July 30
10:00 am - 5:00 pm 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

• EESI President Daniel Bresette was quoted in Reasons to be Cheerful, a nonprofit online magazine, in an article about gas-to-energy systems.
• WOUB Public Media also quoted Daniel in an article about an Ohio company that is developing EV trucks by electrifying the axle of the trailer.
• ABC27 News of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, mentioned EESI's on-bill financing work in an article about Colorado's new beneficial electrification and energy efficiency programs.