EESI Impact 21 - September 2024

 

September 2024

“Now What?”: Congressional Education Turned on Its Head Post-Chevron

From EESI's President, Daniel Bresette

The Supreme Court is on a roll. Two years ago, a majority of justices curtailed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) authority to regulate power plant carbon emissions. And now they have thrown out the Chevron doctrine, which for decades gave agencies like EPA reasonable deference when interpreting federal laws. 

Then, of course, there are the Court’s other decisions outside the climate policy domain that have upended people’s lives.  

The 1984 Chevron doctrine made sense:

• Congress would write legislation to the best of its ability.  
• If a bill became law, agencies with technical expertise would have the leeway to sort out any uncertainties, nuances, or missing pieces. If an agency went too far, then there could be hearings, oversight, and additional directives to get it right. 
• The courts would keep watch, but this was mostly the business of the legislative and executive branches. 

How does Congress adjust to the new, post-Chevron reality? Can Congress really get everything right in legislation in one try? What happens to all the laws enacted during the past 40 years? 

These are really tough questions. And, thanks to you, EESI is in a good position to help inform the answers. The nonpartisan, science-based educational resources that you make possible will be invaluable as members of Congress and their staff adapt to life without Chevron.  

Imagine if EESI were not there to help Congress. Where would Congressional staff get answers to their bosses’ big questions? From the library? Or just from the same ol’ special interests? I think we both know the answer. 

With your partnership, EESI has been a reliable source of climate, clean energy, and environmental information for 40 years. Thanks for your continued support as we embark on the next 40.

   

What You Are Making Possible

 

 

Celebrating 40 Years of Advancing Climate Solutions

Rep. Jennifer McClellan presents a commemorative Congressional Record statement to EESI co-founder and board chair emeritus Dick Ottinger, who served in the House of Representatives.

More than 200 people celebrated EESI’s 40th anniversary at a reception at the Library of Congress on Wednesday, September 18. While addressing the merrymakers in attendance, Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.) read from her statement published in the Congressional Record to commemorate EESI’s work to advance climate change solutions. Her statement is reprinted below:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) on the organization's 40th anniversary. For 40 years, EESI has played an important role on Capitol Hill by providing members of Congress and our staff with nonpartisan, science-based educational resources about climate, clean energy, and environmental topics. Congressional staff use EESI resources to stay informed, which contribute to our offices' ability to serve our constituents. Earlier this year, I was pleased to be a guest on EESI's podcast, The Climate Conversation , where we discussed environmental justice, the public health impacts of the climate crisis, and the need to build resilience into our communities and infrastructure. EESI's origins date back to the 1970s when then-Rep. Richard L. “Dick” Ottinger (D-NY) and a bipartisan group of members of Congress saw a knowledge gap on environmental and energy topics and established a study conference to provide members with the information they necessary to make sound decisions. In 1984, EESI began its work as an independent nonprofit organization. Now, after 40 years, EESI still enjoys a reputation for providing Congress with the information necessary to do our jobs. What must have felt important then feels all the more urgent today. Congratulations to EESI for serving as a trusted source of timely, relevant, nonpartisan, and science-based educational resources about climate topics. With gratitude for EESI's service to the policymaking community to date, I wish the organization the best for another 40 years of advancing solutions, fostering bipartisanship, supporting rural communities, and cultivating young leaders.

   

Act by Friday, September 27 to Unlock Matching Gifts!