A Breakdown of 2019 Climate and Environment Congressional Hearings

In 2019, committees in the House and the Senate held a total of 134 hearings on environment, energy, and climate change topics, according to EESI’s review of committee websites.* This momentum appears to be continuing into 2020, as the committees have already held 10 hearings in January alone, on issues ranging from wildfires and climate science to innovation in decarbonizing the maritime industry.

Congress as a whole averaged about 11 climate-related hearings each month in 2019, but there was a large disparity in the number of hearings held by the Senate and by the House of Representatives. The House held 110 hearings in 2019, whereas the Senate held 24. Furthermore, a much broader range of committees in the House reviewed environment and energy related topics: 80 percent of House standing committees held climate-related hearings, compared to only 25 percent of Senate standing committees. Of both chambers’ standing committees, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held the most climate, energy, or environment-related hearings at 16 each. The House Committee on Natural Resources was next at 15 hearings, followed by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform with 13 hearings. The Select Committee on the Climate Crisis nearly matched the top two standing committees, holding 15 hearings throughout 2019.

Number of hearings on climate and environment topics held by each standing committee during 2019.
The blue bars are House Committees and the gray bars are Senate Committees.

The hearings covered a variety of topics and themes relating to the environment and energy. Both chambers paid a significant amount of attention to clean and renewable energy, with about a quarter of environment-related hearings in the Senate including clean energy as a main topic. The House, however, held hearings on a wider variety of topics. The issues most frequently covered in House hearings included clean energy, transportation and infrastructure, climate impacts, the economy, and resilience and adaptation.


These charts show the frequency with which a topic is covered in a hearing designated as climate and environment focused by EESI in the House (left) or Senate (right). Some hearings were put into more than one category.

Although the House held a number of hearings on resilience and adaptation, such as The Need for Resilience: Preparing America's Transportation Infrastructure for Climate Change and Efficiency and Resiliency in Federal Building Design and Construction, there were no Senate hearings focusing on those issues. The Senate also held no hearings with environmental justice and impacts to frontline communities as the main themes, whereas the House held seven hearings that sought to explore those issues. A greater proportion of hearings in the Senate focused on conservation and natural resources than in the House. Examples of such Senate hearings include The Invasive Species Threat: Protecting Wildlife, Public Health, and Infrastructure and the Hearing on Minerals and Clean Energy Technologies, held by the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, respectively.

The range of House committees that held hearing series dedicated to climate is particularly notable. The Committee on Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Environment held a four -part series of hearings on climate change, ranging from an investigation of the history of climate science to the costs of future inaction. The Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change held a series of hearings on Building a 100 Percent Clean Economy, which included six hearings focused on transitioning various aspects of the economy toward net-zero carbon emissions.

The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis is playing a critical role in raising the profile of the climate conversation on Capitol Hill. In 2019, in addition to holding 15 hearings, the Select Committee conducted significant outreach and research through their Request for Information aimed at civil society (EESI’s response can be found here). Their eight-part hearing series, Solving the Climate Crisis, focused on investigating policy solutions, and the four-part series, Creating a Climate Resilient America, focused on near-term adaptation strategies.

With such a wide variety of topics covered and committees holding hearings, it is clear that members of Congress are interested in taking policy action to tackle climate change from multiple dimensions.

Check out our list of climate, energy, and environment hearings below.

Author: Abby Neal

*Note: Some hearings that touched on climate, energy, and environmental issues may have been inadvertently omitted.

2019 Committee Hearings on Climate, Energy, and Environment Topics
House of Representatives
Agriculture
6/12/19	Increasing Resiliency, Mitigating Risk: Examining the Research and Extension Needs of Producers
Appropriations
2/26/19	Oversight Hearing: Understanding the Changing Climate System and the Role of Climate Research
3/12/19	Update on Recovery Efforts for 2017 and 2018 Disasters
3/13/19	Stakeholder Perspectives: Building Resilient Communities
9/19/19	Marine Debris: Impacts on Ecosystems and Species
11/20/19	The Department of Energy’s Role in Addressing Climate Change
Armed Services
3/13/19	Ensuring Resiliency of Military Installations and Operations in Response to Climate Changes
12/12/19	Climate Change in the Era of Strategic Competition
Budget
6/11/19	The costs of climate change: Risks to US economy and the federal budget
Education and Labor
6/5/19	"This is not a drill: Education-related response and recovery in the wake of natural disasters"
Energy and Commerce
2/27/19	Clean Energy Infrastructure and the Workforce to Build It
2/28/19	We'll Always Have Paris: Filling the Leadership Void Caused by Federal Inaction on Climate Change
3/7/19	Wasted Energy: DOE's Inaction on Efficiency Standards and Its Impact on Consumers and the Climate
4/2/2019	Lessons from Across the Nation: State and Local Action to Combat Climate Change
4/10/19	Investing in America's Energy Infrastructure: Improving Energy Efficiency and Creating a Diverse Workforce
5/15/19	Protecting Americans at Risk of PFAS Contamination and Exposure
5/22/19	Hearing on Lift America: Modernizing our infastructure for the future
6/12/19	Hearing on “Oversight of Ferc: Ensuring Its Actions Benefit Consumers and the Environment”
6/20/19	Driving in Reverse: The Administration’s Rollback of Fuel Economy and Clean Car Standards
7/24/19	Building America’s Clean Future: Pathways to Decarbonize the Economy
9/18/19	Building a 100 Percent Clean Economy: Pathways to Net Zero Industrial Emissions
9/20/19	Building a 100 Percent Clean Economy: Solutions for the U.S. Building Sector
10/23/19	Building a 100 Percent Clean Economy: Solutions for Planes, Trains and Everything Beyond Automobiles
10/30/19	Building a 100 Percent Clean Economy: Solutions for the U.S. Power Sector
11/20/19	Building a 100 Percent Clean Economy: The Challenges Facing Frontline Communities
12/5/12	Building a 100 Percent Clean Economy: Solutions for Economy-Wide Deep Decarbonization
Financial Services
3/13/19	Preparing for the Storm: Reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program
7/10/19	Building a Sustainable and Competitive Economy: An Examination of Proposals to Improve Environmental, Social and Governance Disclosures
9/11/19	Examining the Macroeconomic Impacts of a Changing Climate
Foreign Affairs
9/10/19	Preserving the Amazon: A Shared Moral Imperative
9/18/19	Voices Leading the Next Generation on the Global Climate Crisis
Homeland Security
5/9/19	FEMA Contracting: reviewing lessons learned from past disasters to improve preparedness
6/12/19	Assessing FEMA's readiness for future disasters
7/11/19	Road to Recovery: Puerto Rico and the USVI after Hurricanes Irma & Maria
4/9/19	Assessing the Homeland Security Impacts of a Changing Climate
Intelligence
6/5/19	National security implications of climate change
Natural Resources
2/12/19	Climate Change: Preparing for the Energy Transition
2/13/19	Climate Change and Public Lands: Examining Impacts and Considering Adaptation Opportunities
3/28/2019	The Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan
3/28/2019	Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation: Innovative Approaches and Economic Development Opprotunities
4/2/2019	Protecting Coastal Communities from Offshore Drilling
4/9/2019	The Status of the 'Rebuilding and Privatization of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority' (PREPA)
4/9/2019	Health and Environmental Impacts of Mountaintop Removal Mining
4/30/19	Public lands and our clean energy future
5/9/19	Wildfire resilient communities
5/15/19	Examining the impacts of climate change on public lands recreation
6/11/19	Building a 21st Century American Offshore Wind Workforce
7/16/19	Oil and Gas Development: Impacts of Business-as-Usual on the Climate and Public Health
9/24/19	Fossil Fuel Development: Protecting Taxpayers and Eliminating Industry Giveaways
10/17/19	The Case for Climate Optimism: Realistic Pathways to Achieving Net-Zero Emissions
4/2/2019	WOW 101: The State of Western Water Infrastructure and Innvocation
Oversight and Reform
4/9/2019	The Need for Leadership to Combat Climate Change and Protect National Security
4/9/19	Climate Change, Part 1: The History of a Consensus and the Causes of Inaction
4/30/19	Climate change, Part II: The Public Health Effects
6/12/19	Recovery, Resiliency and Readiness--Contending with Natural Disasters in the wake of climate change (climate change part III)
6/25/19	Recovery, Resiliency and Readiness—Contending with Natural Disasters in the Wake of Climate Change (Climate Change, Part III)
7/24/19	The Devil They Knew – PFAS Contamination and the Need for Corporate Accountability
8/20/19	Courage Under Fire: Examining Government Preparedness and Response to Wildfires in California
9/10/19	The Devil They Knew – PFAS Contamination and the Need for Corporate Accountability, Part II
9/16/19	Environmental Injustice: Exploring Inequities in Air and Water Quality in Michigan
10/23/19	“Examining the Oil Industry’s Efforts to Suppress the Truth about Climate Change”
10/29/19	Trump’s Wrong Turn on Clean Cars: The Effects of Fuel Efficiency Rollbacks on the Climate, Car Companies and California
11/19/19	Toxic, Forever Chemicals: A Call for Immediate Federal Action on PFAS
12/19/19	Climate Change, Part IV: Current Economic Effects of Climate Change and the Costs of Inaction
Science, Space, and Technology
5/15/19	Advancing the next generation of solar and wind energy technologies
5/21/19	The need for resilience: Preparing America's transportation infastructure for climate change
6/17/19	Field Hearing: weathering the storm: Improving hurricane resiliency through research
2/13/19	The State of Climate Science and Why it Matters
2/27/19	Sea Change: Impacts of Climate Change on Our Oceans and Coasts
3/27/2019	Energy and Water Research Integration Act of 2019
7/12/19	Earth’s Thermometers: Glacial and Ice Sheet Melt in a Changing Climate
7/17/19	The Future of Electricity Delivery: Modernizing and Securing Our Nation’s Electricity Grid
7/19/19	Fossil Energy Research: Enabling our Clean Energy Future
7/25/19	Benign by Design: Innovations in Sustainable Chemistry
9/18/19	The Next Mile: Technology Pathways to Accelerate Sustainability Within the Transportation Sector
9/19/19	Science and Technology at the Environmental Protection Agency
9/26/19	Understanding, Forecasting, and Communicating Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate
10/15/19	Closing the Loop: Emerging Technologies in Plastics Recycling
11/14/19	Water and Geothermal Power: Unearthing the Next Wave of Energy Innovation
11/22/19	The Future of Advanced Carbon Capture Research and Development
Select Committee on the Climate Crisis
4/4/2019	Generation Climate: Young Leaders Urge Climate Action Now
4/30/19	Solving the Climate Crisis: Drawing Down Carbon and Building Up the American Economy
5/23/19	Creating a Climate Resilient America
6/13/19	Solving the Climate Crisis: Ramping Up Renewables
7/16/19	Solving the Climate Crisis: Cleaning Up Heavy Duty Vehicles, Protecting Communities
7/25/19	Creating a Climate Resilient America: Business Views on the Costs of the Climate Crisis
8/1/19	Colorado’s Roadmap for Clean Energy Action: Lessons from State and Local Leaders
9/10/19	Solving the Climate Crisis: Manufacturing Jobs for America’s Workers
9/26/19	Solving the Climate Crisis: Reducing Industrial Emissions Through U.S. Innovation
10/17/19	Solving the Climate Crisis: Cleaner, Stronger Buildings
10/22/19	Solving the Climate Crisis: Natural Solutions to Cutting Pollution and Building Resilience
10/30/19	Solving the Climate Crisis: Opportunities in Agriculture
11/14/19	Member Day
11/20/19	Creating a Climate Resilient America: Reducing Risks and Costs
12/11/19	Creating a Climate Resilient America: Smart Finance for Strong Communities
Small Business
9/10/19	Growing the Clean Energy Economy
10/29/19	Creating the Clean Energy Workforce
Transportation and Infrastucture
5/8/19	The cost of doing nothing: Maritime infastucture vulnerability in an emerging Arctic
5/22/19	Disaster preparedness: DRRA Implementation and FEMA readiness
6/11/19	Efficiency and resiliency in Federal building design and construction
6/21/19	Protecting and Restoring America’s Iconic Waters
9/18/19	Administration’s Priorities and Policy Initiatives Under the Clean Water Act
11/19/19	Concepts for the Next Water Resources Development Act
12/5/19	“Where’s My Stuff? Examining the Economic, Environmental, and Societal Impacts of Freight Transportation”
2/7/19	The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Investing in Our Nation's Infrastructure Cannot Wait
2/26/19	Examining How Federal Infrastructure Policy Could Help Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change
3/13/19	Aligning Federal Surface Transportation Policy to Meet 21st Century Needs
4/10/19	The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Full Utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and Investment in Our Nation's Waterways
3/7/19	The Clean Water State Revolving Fund: How Federal Infrastructure Investment Can Help Communities Modernize Water Infrastructure and Address Affordability Challenges
Ways and Means
5/15/19	The economic and health consequences of climate change
3/6/19	Our Nation's Crumbling Infrastructure and the Need for Immediate Action
Senate
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
5/21/19	Climate change and the agriculture sector
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
7/23/19	America’s Waterfronts: Addressing Economic, Recreational, and Environmental Challenges
10/16/19	Feeding America: Making Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture a Reality
12/12/19	Expanding Opportunities, Challenges, and Threats in the Arctic: A Focus on the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Strategic Outlook
Energy and Natural Resources
3/5/19	Examine the electricity sector in a changing climate
4/11/19	Hearings to examine opportunities for energy innovation and other potential solutions to help address global climate change.
5/21/19	Hearing to examine renewable erngy and energy efficiency efforts in the US
6/4/19	Hearing to examine expanded deployment of grid-scale energy storage
6/13/19	Hearing to examine the outlook for wildland fire and management programs for 2019
6/20/19	Hearing to examine geothermal energy development
6/27/19	Hearing to Examine Storage of Nuclear Waste and the Nuclear Waste Administration Act
7/25/19	Hearing on Energy Innovation
9/17/19	Hearing on Minerals and Clean Energy Technologies
10/22/19	Hearing on Energy Efficiency Efforts in the United States and Internationally
11/7/19	Hearing on Issues and Legislation Related to Energy Development on Federal Land
12/19/19	Hearing to Examine the Impacts of Wildfire on Electric Grid Reliability
Environment and Public Works
2/13/19	Examine the invasive species threat, focusing on protecting wildlife, public health, and infrastructure
2/27/19	Carbon dioxide utilization and direct air capture research
4/10/19	Business meeting to consider S.383, to support carbon dioxide utilization and direct air capture research, to facilitate the permitting and development of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration projects and carbon dioxide pipelines, S.747, to reauthorize the diesel emissions reduction program, an original bill entitled, "John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2019", and 8 General Services Administration resolutions.
4/17/19	Field oversight hearing on the US Army Corps of Engineers' Management of the 2019 Missouri River Basin Flooding
9/18/19	Improving American Economic Competitiveness through Water Resources Infrastructure
10/16/19	Examining the Impacts of Diseases on Wildlife Conservation and Management
10/17/19	Reducing Emissions While Driving Economic Growth: Industry-led Initiatives
11/13/19	Preserving and Expanding Clean, Reliable Nuclear Power: U.S. Commercial Nuclear Reactor Performance Trends and Safety Initiatives

Past Year Saw 134 Climate Hearings, Building Momentum for Action

By Abby Neal

2019 Committee Hearings on Climate, Energy, and Environment Topics