Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

In this issue, we’re excited to feature a brand new resource: our fact sheet on direct pay, a new Inflation Reduction Act opportunity that allows tax-exempt entities to receive direct payments for clean energy upgrades in lieu of tax credits. 

Another exciting feature is the latest episode of our podcast, The Climate Conversation, where EESI was joined by Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.) to discuss her important work on environmental justice and climate resilience in the commonwealth of Virginia.

In celebration of EESI’s 40th anniversary, you’ll find an article on the history of EESI’s work with Congress. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for April 2nd at 2:00 p.m. for EESI’s next briefing, The National Security – Climate Adaptation Nexus.

Fact Sheet | Inflation Reduction Act Clean Energy Opportunity: Direct Pay for Nonprofits and Tax-Exempt Entities 
[4 min. read]

Our latest fact sheet highlights “direct pay” (or “elective pay”), a process in which qualifying entities can receive direct payment from the Internal Revenue Service, in lieu of a tax credit, for clean energy upgrades. Direct pay can help groups afford upgrades, save money, and cut waste in operations. [click for more]

Congress passed the last remaining appropriations bills on March 23, concluding the fiscal year 2024 appropriations process. The six bills included in this round of funding were defense; financial services and general government; homeland security; labor, health and human services, education, and related agencies; legislative branch; and state, foreign operations, and related programs. The government is now funded through the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2024. 

Reducing Marine Debris: The Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act (H.R.886/S.318) passed the House. The bipartisan bill, reintroduced by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and Jenniffer González-Colón (R-P.R.), will make it easier for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to prevent and reduce marine debris. The Senate passed its version of the bill, co-led by Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), in December 2023. 

Recycling and Composting Bills Pass the Senate: Introduced by Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), and John Boozman (R-Ark.), the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2023 (S.1189/H.R.6159) and the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act (S.1194/H.R.4040) passed the Senate last week. The bills establish a pilot program to expand access to recycling services in rural and underserved areas, improve national recycling data, and identify composting infrastructure hurdles.

Fostering Future Farmers: Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) and bipartisan cosponsors introduced the Growing Opportunities in Agriculture Act (H.R.7731) in the House. The bill would establish a grant program to support new agricultural education opportunities in U.S. high schools, promoting future food security by paving the way for young people to enter the field. For more on supporting a new generation of farmers, check out EESI’s article, “Growing Career Opportunities for Young People in Agriculture.”

Reclaiming and Remediating Mine Lands: Reps. Celeste Maloy (R-Utah) and Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) introduced the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 (H.R.7779/S.2781). The bipartisan bill would allow qualified environmental and community groups to clean up polluted and abandoned hardrock mines. The Senate bill, reintroduced by Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), passed the Environmental and Public Works Committee in January. EESI’s article on clean energy development on reclaimed mine lands discusses some of the benefits of remediating these areas.

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for March 11-15 and March 18-22.

EESI is tracking recent announcements and updates about the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)

• The Department of Energy (DOE) announced $6 billion in IRA and IIJA funding for industrial decarbonization projects, with a focus on the highest-emitting sectors, such as metals, chemicals, and concrete and cement. 
• DOE announced $750 million in funding to support clean hydrogen development projects to help meet the goal of producing 14 gigawatts of U.S.-manufactured fuel cells per year.
• DOE announced the five recipients of $475 million in funding for the deployment of clean energy on mine lands, including geothermal, hydropower, and solar projects.

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

• The Department of Transportation announced $3.3 billion in grant funding for projects that will reconnect communities previously disconnected by transportation infrastructure. The Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods program is supported by IRA and IIJA funding. 
• The Federal Highway Administration announced the new Low Carbon Transportation Materials Program, which will allocate $2 billion to incentivize states, tribes, planning organizations, and others to use building materials and products with lower greenhouse gas emissions. 
• The U.S. General Services Administration announced $1 billion in funding for the modernization of federal land ports of entry, including for low-emission materials and sustainable technologies.

The National Security - Climate Adaptation Nexus
Tuesday, April 2
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm EDT
Rayburn House Office Building 2168 (Gold Room) and online

• The impacts of climate change—from extreme heat to wildfires and flooding—can severely harm homes and communities. In addition to these challenges, climate change impacts supply chains, the electric grid, military installations, and other critical infrastructure across the country. This briefing will foster discussion about ways federal policy can advance national-level coordination on adaptation to safeguard critical infrastructure, and protect and improve people’s lives. RSVP here

How Communities and Companies Benefit from Federal Clean Energy Investments
Friday, April 12
9:30 am - 10:30 am EDT
Online only

• This briefing will feature the latest research and innovations in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation, with a focus on Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) programs. RSVP here

Demystifying Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal
Tuesday, April 16
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm EDT
In-person and online

• EESI will partner with the World Resources Institute to discuss ocean carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Panelists will discuss the current state of ocean CDR, the policy and regulatory landscape, research gaps, and the importance of responsible scaling. RSVP here

Dams in Every District: Challenges, Opportunities, and What's Ahead
Wednesday, May 1
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EDT
North Congressional Meeting Room (CVC 268) and online

• EESI and American Rivers will cover the state of dam infrastructure in the United States. Of the dams in the National Inventory, 85 percent have outlived their expected lifespan and many are no longer serving a purpose. This presents a critical challenge for dam owners, municipalities, states, and the federal government as they seek to ensure community safety. This briefing will discuss the options dam owners have to manage this infrastructure challenge, including dam removal, which is a common approach to dam safety and river restoration. RSVP here

Latest Media Coverage

• Bloomberg Government reported on EESI’s March 14 briefing, Updates from Rural America, part of our IRA and IIJA Progress Report briefing series. (Subscription only)
• EESI’s fact sheet on high-speed rail development worldwide was cited by WBZ NewsRadio 1030, a local Massachusetts radio station, in their coverage of a House of Representatives bill supporting nationwide high-speed rail.