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EESI Environmental and Energy Study Institute ... message April 4th 2023 Original article: Peter Burgess COMMENTARY Peter Burgess | ||
Today's highlights: coastal armoring, macroeconomic models, and the Supreme Court
Daniel Bresette, EESI eesi@eesi.org via bounce.s7.exacttarget.com
April 4th 2023, 4:54 PM
Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!
In this issue, we are highlighting resilience strategies with a new article on shoreline armoring and the need for improved coastal management strategies in the United States. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, we have our eye on the landmark A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice For All Act
(S.919/H.R.1705).
Also included in this newsletter is an article examining how current macroeconomic models need to change to reflect the climate crisis, as well as a new podcast episode about how Supreme Court cases impact federal agencies.
EESI is hiring a communications associate! Visit EESI's careers page to apply by Tuesday, April 18.
In the Face of Rising Sea Levels, Experts Call for Nationwide Coastal Management Approach
[7 min read]
More than 15,000 miles of North American beachfronts could be underwater by the year 2100, and the highly-regulated strategies to respond to coastal erosion are of dubious effectiveness, and sometimes counterproductive. Experts in a recent webinar described the need for a unified, science-based permitting strategy across regional, state, and federal regulations. [click for more]
Government Economic Models Fail to Account for Climate Change, Hindering Action
[6 min read]
Traditional macroeconomic models do not adequately respond to the urgency of the climate crisis because they model business as usual, assuming optimal market behavior and a stable climate. A recent National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine roundtable convened experts to discuss how to build climate change into these models to more accurately evaluate long-term climate impacts. [click for more]
Podcast: How Supreme Court Decisions Can Shape the Future of Our Climate
[24 min listen]
Supreme Court decisions have enormous power to shape many aspects of our lives. Steph Tai, a Professor of Law at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, breaks down two present-day cases: West Virginia v. the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Sackett v. EPA, which highlight how Supreme Court decisions can shape federal agencies’ ability to tackle the climate crisis, water pollution, and other environmental challenges. [click for more]
Environmental justice at work:
Reps. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) introduced the A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act (S.919/H.R.1705). The bill, which was first introduced in the 116th Congress, is considered the most comprehensive environmental justice legislation in history. The bill is now named for the late Rep. A. Donald McEachin (D-Va.) who was an original co-sponsor of the legislation and a long-time champion for environmental justice.
Another environmental justice bill, H.R.1673, was introduced in the House. The bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency to work with state and local officials to help clean up 100 of the country’s most heavily polluted communities. EESI’s resources cover the basics of the original Environmental Justice for All Act (H.R.5986/S.4401), the community discussions surrounding that bill, and pathways to address cumulative impacts of polluting industries.
Energy: The Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R.1) passed the House on a mostly-party-line vote. The bill is designed to expedite energy importation, exportation, and development. It would waive or limit certain environmental review requirements, eliminate certain import and export restrictions on oil and gas, and repeal the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and rebates for homeowners who install high-efficiency electric equipment and appliances.
Fossil fuel subsidies: In the House, H.R.1743 was introduced. The bill would repeal fossil fuel subsidies, as well as establish gas price rebates for 2022. EESI’s fact sheet takes a look at proposals to reduce these subsidies.
Climate-smart agriculture: The Agriculture Resilience Act was reintroduced in the Senate (S.1016) and in the House (H.R.1840). The act would outline farm solutions to help the U.S. agricultural industry reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. On the other side of the Capitol, Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) introduced S.900 with bipartisan support. The bill would create a competitive grant program for land-grant colleges and universities to help farmers adopt conservation and climate practices like those described in EESI’s climate and agriculture article series.
We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for March 20-24 and March 27-31.
Investments in Clean Energy and Transportation Innovations in the Federal and Private Sectors
Thursday, April 13
1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Online only at www.eesi.org/livecast
Join EESI for a briefing on the latest research and innovations in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation, specifically from Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) programs. Federal agency and private sector panelists will discuss how investments in advanced technologies supported by the Department of Energy can drive decarbonization while building a clean energy workforce, advancing environmental justice, and keeping energy affordable. RSVP here.
The State of Play for Nuclear Energy in the United States
Wednesday, April 19
2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center - SVC 203 (Senate Side)
Available online at www.eesi.org/livecast
Join EESI for a briefing about the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) nuclear energy programs. This briefing will highlight nuclear energy programs underway from basic research to demonstration projects, including work happening across DOE’s national labs. Panelists will discuss DOE’s current approach to nuclear energy, the evolution of deployment in the United States, and the path ahead for DOE’s nuclear energy work. RSVP here.
Briefing Video Online: 2023 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook
On March 15, EESI held a briefing with the Business Council for Sustainable Energy on their Sustainable Energy in America Factbook. The video and slides are online. [click for more]
Briefing Video Online: Grow Organic
On March 23, EESI held a briefing with the Natural Resources Defense Council on expanding organic agriculture. The video and slides from that event are now available online. [click for more]
Latest Media Coverage
EESI's article on cover crops, from the Agriculture and Climate article series, was cited in a piece on climate-smart agriculture in Ohio published by the Statehouse News Bureau.
Thanks to all EESI staff, interns, and fellows who contribute to Climate Change Solutions
Environmental and Energy Study Institute
Daniel Bresette, President
EESI is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1984 by a bipartisan Congressional caucus to provide timely information and develop innovative policy solutions that set us on a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy path.
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