Climate Change Solutions - August 3, 2021

Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

Infrastructure is again in the news as the Senate released legislative language for the $550 billion bipartisan infrastructure plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In this issue, we break down some of the plan's climate provisions. In smaller-scale infrastructure, we also highlighted how local governments are using public transit to open access to local parks!

As part of the NAACP Solar Equity Initiative, EESI helped launch its new Equitable Solar Policy Principles, aimed at increasing solar adoption. Read about the principles below. 

Also catch up on EESI's 2021 Congressional Clean Energy EXPO and Policy Forum, held last week!

Have a climate solution? Send tips to Solutions editor Amber Todoroff.

Headlines From Electric Vehicles to Resilience: Climate Action in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal [4 min. read] Infrastructure season is in full swing in the nation’s capital. But now that senators have transformed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, affectionately known as the BIF, into legislative language, the range and amount of potential investments are coming into focus. EESI is here to help break down how some of the provisions in the legislation would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience to climate impacts and several recent EESI resources can take you on deep dives into these topics. While there is still a lot to do beyond this infrastructure deal to address climate change, the emergence of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is an encouraging sign that many legislators are ready to take climate action. [click for more]     All Aboard for Nature: Improving Outdoor Access Through Public Transportation [6 min. read] Cities across the United States are working on solutions to improve access to parks for disadvantaged communities. The Transit to Trails Act would provide an extra financial boost by establishing a grant program for up to $500,000 for such projects. [click for more]   NAACP Equitable Solar Policy Principles Aim to Increase Solar Adoption for Underserved Communities [5 min. read] On July 20, the NAACP Solar Equity Initiative, which includes EESI, unveiled the Equitable Solar Policy Principles to increase solar adoption in communities of color and help dismantle the systematic abuses and barriers that these communities have experienced. [click for more]

On the Hill From July 19 to 23, two bills, the PFAS Action Act of 2021 (H.R.2467) and the Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act (H.R.2931) passed the House. Additionally, the House Committee on Small Business held a hearing titled, SBA’s Role in Climate Solutions, which examined how the federal government can support small businesses as they address and adapt to the climate crisis. Last weekend, the Senate finished writing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, which includes multiple provisions relevant to climate action, including funding for electric vehicles, climate resilience, and abandoned coal mine cleanup. The bipartisan deal incorporates several other bills into the broader package, including S.1953, S.914, and S.2377, which invest in roads, drinking water infrastructure, and electric grid resilience, respectively. Congress also introduced several bills supporting climate resilience and adaptation. H.R.4763 would establish a grant program for agricultural resilience, and S.2510 would establish a program to help prepare, plan, and respond to extreme heat. See EESI's full environmental legislative tracker for July 19 to 23 here. See EESI's full environmental legislative tracker for July 26 to 30 here.

EESI's 2021 Congressional Clean Energy EXPO and Policy Forum EESI is pleased to have convened another Clean Energy EXPO! Presenting before Congress and the public, top-level speakers shared findings and innovations to mitigate climate change, improve the economy, build resilience, and protect our security interests.  Check out videos from the EXPO here and keep an eye out for highlights later this month.

EESI Around Town   EESI's 2019 Fossil Fuel Subsidies Fact Sheet was cited by Brookings Institute.   Executive Director Daniel Bresette was quoted in an article on building codes by Utility Dive.   Executive Director Daniel Bresette was quoted on the recently released NAACP Equitable Solar Policy Principles in an article by Solar Industry.   Thank You to EESI Team Members for Their Contributions to Climate Change Solutions: Sydney O'Shaughnessy - Layout, Design, and Content Editor Emma Johnson - Communications Associate Amaury Laporte - Communications Director As well as all EESI Staff, Interns, and Fellows who write and review content!   Environmental and Energy Study Institute  Daniel Bresette, Executive Director   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.   www.eesi.org                 CFC #10627