EESI Impact 14 - February 2023

 

A Critical Moment for Climate Momentum

From the President, Daniel Bresette

I hope this finds you enjoying a happy and healthy 2023. 

EESI is off to a fast start in the new year helping members of the new Congress and their staff get quickly up to speed on the full range of climate change solutions. 

Our four-part Congressional Climate Camp briefing series is currently underway. You are helping provide policymakers with important educational resources. We chose our topics based on Congressional priorities and needs: the federal budget, public opinion, methane and other non-carbon greenhouse gases (check out the graphic in this newsletter on how powerful these other greenhouse gases are), and the equitable implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and historic Inflation Reduction Act. 

Thanks for sticking with us at this critical moment to ensure these massive federal climate investments reach their full potential for equitably reducing emissions.

Congress will soon turn its attention to the Farm Bill and the opportunities to advance agriculture-sector solutions. 

The Farm Bill only comes up every five years, so many Congressional staff are totally new to the process. Our comprehensive Farm Bill hearing trackers and "side-by-side" comparisons of the House and Senate proposals with the 2018 Farm Bill text will help new staff understand how key federal programs deliver climate mitigation and adaptation benefits … and could deliver even more. 

After attending many meetings on Capitol Hill over the past few weeks, it is clear that the need for bipartisan, bicameral Farm Bill proposals is widely acknowledged. That gives me hope for additional, much-needed progress on solutions that reduce emissions and create new jobs in rural areas. 

You are making possible renewed engagement with rural utilities about how new federal incentives can be combined with inclusive on-bill financing to help families across this country cut energy use and save money. EESI’s Beneficial Electrification Toolkit describes the latest in high-efficiency solutions for homes and commercial buildings, personal and fleet vehicles, and much more. 

The urgency of the climate crisis means we have to keep pushing forward, especially given the enormous potential of the historic federal investments in climate solutions. 

Thanks for your commitment to advancing climate change solutions.