Climate Change Solutions

Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

In this issue, we are featuring our latest episode of The Climate Conversation podcast about reclaiming abandoned mine lands. To complement it, we are highlighting other solutions from the EESI archives that promote economic development and improve energy affordability in rural communities.

Plus, we are working with Transportation for America and the American Public Health Association to bring you a briefing about the nexus of public health and transportation. RSVP here to join us this Thursday in the Rayburn House Office Building’s Gold Room (RHOB 2168) at 3 p.m.!

Finally, EESI has been named a Top-Rated Nonprofit by GreatNonprofits for the 15th year in a row! The GreatNonprofits badge helps prospective donors and others understand the value of EESI's science-based resources on climate change solutions.

The Latest Solutions

Podcast: Bringing Abandoned Mine Lands Back to Life
[38 min. listen]

For residents of former and current mining communities (especially in Appalachia, the Midwest, and the Mountain West), abandoned mines are a familiar—and often dangerous—aspect of the local landscape. Unreclaimed abandoned mines and infrastructure can leak acid drainage, pollute groundwater, or collapse unexpectedly. Guests Kevin Zedack and Matt Hepler from Appalachian Voices explain how cleaning up these sites can safeguard ecosystems and human health while providing new economic development opportunities in coal communities. [click for more]

Article: Investments in Rural Clean Energy Are Putting People to Work
[7 min. read]

The Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) provides loans to rural electric cooperatives to support on-bill financing for energy efficiency and clean energy. This article highlights recent economic analysis showing that RESP has created almost 700 net jobs in rural areas through 2023 and is on track to sustain about 15,000 jobs by 2040. [click for more]

Article: Energy Efficiency Retrofits for Rural Households in South Carolina: Sol Systems and Google
[8 min. read]

Renewable energy firm Sol Systems and Google are working together in North and South Carolina to develop solar projects and fund energy efficiency and pre-weatherization upgrades for rural households in the Southeast. [click for more]

Article: Opportunities in the Federal Crop Insurance Program to Bolster Soil Health for Climate Adaptation
[9 min. read]

The crucial federal crop insurance program (FCIP) needs improvements to better serve America’s wide variety of farmers. Aligning FCIP guidelines with soil health best practices can ensure climate-smart farmers get covered. [click for more]

Article: Three Microgrid Projects in Rural Areas Showcase New DOE Program
[9 min. read]

Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas program awardees are using their funds to advance solar power, microgrids, and electric vehicle charging projects in their communities. [click for more]

Article: Eternal Optimists: How Farmers and Ranchers Are Innovating in Response to a Shrinking Colorado River
[8 min. read]

To cope with reduced water supply from the Colorado River due to climate change, farmers are turning to drought-tolerant crops and solar power to increase their resilience. [click for more]

Briefing: Maximizing the Impact of Natural Climate Solutions

People are looking to natural climate solutions to sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving human well-being, ecosystem health, and biodiversity. Panelists dove into these benefits and identified federal programs that are working to maximize them. [click for more]

Briefing: Unlocking Rural Economies: Farm Bill Investments in Rural America

From increasing technical capacity to providing housing and utilities, federal programs under the Farm Bill are crucial to supporting rural communities, their electric cooperatives, and tribal nations. [click for more]

On the Hill

Low-Carbon Building Materials Get a Thumbs-Up in the House: The House passed the Innovative Mitigation Partnerships for Asphalt and Concrete Technologies (IMPACT) Act (H.R.1534), which was reintroduced by Reps. Max Miller (R-Ohio) and Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.). The bill would boost American manufacturing of and demand for low-emissions concrete, asphalt, and cement.

A Boost for New Farmers: Reps. Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), and Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced the New Producer Economic Security Act (H.R.2536/S.1237) to improve new farmers’ access to land, financing, and markets. For more policy solutions to the barriers faced by beginning farmers, check out EESI’s article, “Growing Career Opportunities for Young People in Agriculture.”

Minding the Weather Gaps: Reps. Tim Moore (R-N.C.), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), and Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.) introduced the Radar Gap Elimination Act (H.R.2646). If passed, it would address critical gaps in severe weather detection and response for underserved communities. Specifically, the bill would replace aging weather radar technology and deploy new radar in regions without existing coverage. EESI’s briefing, Innovations in Weather Forecasting for a Changing Climate, explores the role of weather intelligence in boosting communities’ resilience to extreme weather events.

Wood Products Get Their Moment in the Sun: Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) introduced the Community Wood Facilities Assistance Act (H.R.2517). The bill would strengthen and incentivize domestic wood product manufacturing and wood energy under the Farm Bill’s Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Grant Program, all while creating jobs in rural communities.

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for March 24-28 and March 31-April 4.

Upcoming Events

Towards Healthier Outcomes in Surface Transportation
Thursday, April 10, 2025
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EDT
Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2168 (Gold Room) and online

The American Public Health Association and Transportation for America are partnering with EESI on a briefing about the public health implications of transportation policy. During this briefing, panelists will explore the nexus of transportation, public health, and climate change. RSVP here.

Earth Day 5K Walk, Alternative Fuel Vehicle Display, and Green Expo
Saturday, April 19, 2025
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Displays and Green Expo Exhibits (Free)
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EDT: 5K Walk (Registration required)
National Mall, Madison Drive and 3rd St, NW

Join 100 organizations supporting sustainable transportation and Earth Day 2025 on Saturday, April 19! EESI is an outreach partner for the Earth Day 5K Walk, Alternative Fuel Vehicle Display, and Green Expo. The event will feature public transit vehicles, school buses, and municipal trucks powered by cleaner fuels. Energy, environment, and public health advocacy organizations and experts will showcase products and services demonstrating how alternative fuels, renewable energy, and advanced technologies reduce oil dependence and strengthen resilience.

Organizations and individuals can still register to participate: register your company or team for the 5K walk, display your vehicle, or reserve an exhibit table for your organization, sponsor a portion of the event, and volunteer.

Risky Business: Insurance in the Era of Climate Climate
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. EDT
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 406 and online

This briefing will explore Congress’s role in bolstering the long-term resilience, investability, and insurability of U.S. communities. It will review the basics of property insurance, and feature existing and emerging tools—from parametric insurance to climate endorsements—that are reshaping how insurance products can better serve communities. RSVP here.

2025 Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum
Thursday, July 24, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. EDT
Policy Forum: Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2168 (Gold Room) and online
Exhibits and Reception: Rayburn House Office Building Foyer

Join EESI and the House and Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (REEE) Caucuses for the 28th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum (EXPO 2025). 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.

In Case You Missed It

Briefing Video Now Available | 2025
Sustainable Energy in America Factbook

The Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) and BloombergNEF recently published the 13th edition of the Sustainable Energy in America Factbook. Panelists spoke to key takeaways from the 2025 Factbook and what they mean for industries working in all facets of the energy transition. This briefing was hosted in partnership with BCSE and in coordination with the House and Senate REEE Caucuses and the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. Click here for the full video, along with speaker presentation materials.

Highlight Notes Now Available | Columbia
River Briefing

Detailed summary notes are now available for the Columbia River briefing in EESI’s Healthy and Resilient Rivers series. This briefing described challenges like ongoing pollution from Superfund sites along and in the river as well as sea level rise and flooding in the Lower Columbia Estuary. Panelists emphasized the role of federal investments, including the National Estuary Program and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Latest Media Coverage

GW Today published an article about EESI’s new graduate-level fellowship, launched in partnership with George Washington University’s Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration, thanks to an anonymous benefactor.

Forwarded this newsletter? Sign up here!

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

About EESI

EESI is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing science-based solutions for climate change, energy, and environmental challenges to achieve a sustainable, resilient, and equitable world. Founded on a bipartisan basis by members of Congress, EESI has been informing policymakers about the benefits of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental conservation since 1984.

CFC #10627