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September 18, 2023
From the President, Daniel Bresette
For many people, one word would sum up the summer: “hot.” (If we gave them two words, it might be “extremely hot.”) For others, it might be “flood” or “drought” or some other form of extreme weather. Unfortunately, we can expect the climate to be hotter, drier, wetter, and less predictable for the foreseeable future.
Of special relevance to work underway on Capitol Hill is the effect of increasing severe weather on farmers, ranchers, and others who rely on the land for their livelihoods. Helping farmers become more resilient in the face of climate change will be a major topic of conversation when Congress turns to the Farm Bill later this fall. Whether it is corn being wiped out by floods in Vermont or peach trees without any fruit in Georgia because spring frosts followed an unusually mild winter, the agriculture sector is suffering from climate impacts—and that affects all of us, too.
During most of EESI’s 145 meetings on Capitol Hill so far this year, Congressional staff often expressed a common sentiment: Farm Bill proposals with bipartisan and bicameral support have the best odds of being enacted. Compromise is, after all, what makes bills become laws. Many issues related to land conservation, forestry, and renewable energy have historically been popular across the board.
This reality is reflected in our current slate of educational resources for policymakers, useful to everyone along the political spectrum. You are making possible a five-part briefing series, hearing trackers, and an all-new set of “side-by-side-by-side” comparison charts to help Congressional staff compare new Farm Bill proposals with current law.
Informing policymakers about all of the areas of American life touched by the Farm Bill is a challenge because agriculture policy is so varied and wide-ranging. I like to joke that everybody on Capitol Hill will become a Farm Bill expert at some point in the next year or so. The nervous, knowing chuckles from Congressional staff are proof enough that this is pretty close to the truth.
You have helped advance sustainability in rural communities for many years. Few people realize that the Farm Bill also includes renewable energy and energy efficiency programs for rural households, and EESI has long been one of their most fervent proponents. Farm Bill programs support electric cooperatives from Oregon to Colorado to South Carolina that offer inclusive on-bill financing to their members for clean energy upgrades to their homes. These programs will also leverage the new rebate programs provided by the Inflation Reduction Act.
Thank you for believing in this work. I am very grateful for your continued partnership.
As EESI seeks to inform Congress about climate solutions, we pay a lot of attention to what states are doing. In our decentralized federal system, states are often at the vanguard of climate action; showcasing their initiatives can help inspire federal policymakers. Recently, EESI has examined community solar in Minnesota, clean energy tax incentives in Colorado, and carbon emission reduction goals in both states.
Installing rooftop solar panels isn't accessible to everyone. Some roofs are too shaded, or can't support the weight of the panels. Renters can’t install solar on their roofs without permission from their landlords. And steep upfront installation costs can temper the enthusiasm of all. Community solar can help overcome those obstacles by letting households subscribe to large solar arrays located near their communities. In May, Minnesota updated its community solar program to prioritize lower-income communities. Such projects will help Minnesota reach its recently adopted goal of getting to 100 percent clean energy by 2040. Learn more by reading our articles, "Minnesota Models How to Cultivate Equitable Community Solar" and "Minnesota Joins 20 Other States in Pursuit of 100 Percent Clean Energy."
Colorado is also leading by example. In May, the centennial state ramped up its emission reduction goals while sweetening incentives for the adoption of clean technologies. Colorado is now aiming for a 100 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To reach that goal, it is offering tax incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles, electric bikes, and heat pumps (an electric alternative to gas furnaces). The credits come in the form of consumer discounts at the point of sale, and they can be combined with federal incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act. Learn more by reading our article, "Colorado Boosts Emission Reduction Goals and Climate Tax Incentives."
Lots of other states are furthering important and equitable climate solutions, too. With your renewed commitment, you’ll help build out these stories to keep inspiring further action. That way, the policymakers on Capitol Hill become aware of state-based progress on climate.
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