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January 30, 2026
Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!
Our wildfire solutions briefing, originally scheduled for this afternoon, has been postponed due to inclement weather. Stay tuned for updates! Still hungry for an EESI briefing? Our next event is right around the corner. Join EESI and the National Association of State Energy Officials for a briefing on state-led energy solutions to meet rapidly increasing power demand—Thursday, February 5, from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. in the Rayburn House Office Building room 2044. You can RSVP here!
This issue, we’re serving up solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions—from powering data centers with renewable energy to low-carbon alternatives to building materials. We’ve also updated our topic page on hydrogen and fuel cells. If you’re new to this source of energy, this resource will get you up to speed.
Data Center Buildout Is Hungry for Fossil Fuels [5 min. read] Data centers could represent up to 12% of total U.S. electricity demand by 2028. Meeting data center power demand will require bringing about 80 gigawatts of additional electricity online every year for the next 20 years. To do so, some utilities are extending the life of existing coal power plants and building new natural gas plants. This article explains the potential consequences of this fossil fuel revival, along with solutions that bring renewable energy into the mix. [click for more]
Concrete is a critical—and literal—foundation for homes, schools, hospitals, transportation infrastructure, and more. But cement, the main building block of concrete, is responsible for about 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Low-emission cement, alternative building materials, and energy efficient technologies are readily deployable and essential to decarbonizing the industrial sector. [click for more]
Hydrogen is a promising and versatile form of clean energy. For certain applications, hydrogen might be the only viable climate-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. But hydrogen, the most common element in the universe, is hard to find in its natural state on Earth. Our updated topic page takes a look at both hydrogen’s potential and its challenges. [click for more]
Energy and Environment Appropriations Get Presidential Green Light: The Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2026 (H.R.6938) has been signed into law, providing funding for key agencies like the U.S. Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency (including its ENERGY STAR® program), National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Forest Service. Bill summaries are available for Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations. Learn more about the appropriations process by watching EESI’s briefing, Understanding the Budget, Reconciliation, and Appropriations.
Flood Insurance Bill Flows Out of Committee: The House Committee on Financial Services advanced the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Extension Act of 2026 (H.R.5577). Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) introduced the bipartisan bill to extend NFIP authorization through September 2026. The program’s authorization is currently set to expire at the end of January. To learn more, check out EESI’s briefing, Insurance in the Era of Climate Change.
Estuary Bill Heads Strait to House Floor: The House Committee on Natural Resources reported the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R.2860) out to the House floor. Reps. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) and Emily Randall (D-Wash.) introduced the bill to permanently reauthorize the Northwest Straits Commission, which works to restore and protect Washington State’s Puget Sound, and fund it with $10 million annually through 2031. Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) lead a companion bill (S.1433) in the Senate.
Sowing the (Legislative) Seeds of Innovation: Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) reintroduced the Advancing Cutting Edge (ACE) Agriculture Act (H.R.7142/S.3637) to drive innovations in federal agricultural research. Specifically, the bill would reauthorize the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority established by the 2018 Farm Bill. To learn more, check out EESI’s Farm Bill resources.
We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for January 12-16 and January 19-23.
Powering the Economy: Generation Innovation, Grid Optimization, and Energy Efficiency Thursday, February 5 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 2044 Rayburn House Office Building (Banquet Room), and online
This briefing, held in partnership with the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), explores state-led energy solutions to meet rapidly increasing power demand needed to grow America’s economy, support energy security and resilience, and put downward pressure on electricity costs. Panelists from state energy offices will identify energy efficiency solutions that are already working to lower energy bills, energy security initiatives to bolster reliability and resilience, and key federal policies to help states catalyze energy innovation. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP here.
Understanding Load Growth and Energy Affordability: Policy and Market Trends from the 2026 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook Thursday, February 26 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 2168 Rayburn House Office Building (Gold Room) and online
The rapid growth in energy demand from data centers has raised energy affordability conversations in households across the country—and on Capitol Hill, energy affordability might be the major theme of energy policy discussions. In partnership with the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, this briefing will explore a broad portfolio of readily-available technologies and resources that not only lower energy costs and meet rising demand, but promote economic development and innovation. Panelists will also share new findings from the 2026 edition of the Sustainable Energy in America Factbook. The Factbook provides valuable year-over-year data and insights on the U.S. energy transformation. RSVP here.
Igniting Innovation: Progress and a Path Forward for Wildfire Policy POSTPONED - new date and time to be announced In-person and online Reception to follow
Communities nationwide are experiencing longer wildfire seasons and more intense, destructive wildfires, which cost the United States up to $424 billion annually and displace tens of thousands of people. One year after the catastrophic wildfires that blazed through southern California, this briefing, hosted in partnership with the Federation of American Scientists, will explore emerging solutions to tackle the wildfire crisis and the federal policy strategies for getting these solutions into the field. RSVP here.
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About EESI
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (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.
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