Climate Change Solutions

Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

The United States has officially entered “danger season”—the span of May to October in which the country experiences its most frequent and severe weather events. This week, we’re bringing you bipartisan proposals to fortify the National Flood Insurance Program, wildfire resilience solutions for California households, and an explainer on post-disaster recovery inequities.

Over the weekend, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) released text of the BUILD America 250 Act to reinvest in U.S. roadways, public transportation, freight rail, and bridges. Now is a good time to catch up on key transportation issues—and we’ve got you covered. EESI’s briefing series explains the surface transportation reauthorization process and outlines challenges and policy solutions for highways, public transit, and railways. We’ll also be tracking the BUILD America 250 Act’s progress in Congress—stay tuned for updates in our weekly legislative Round-Up and in the On the Hill section of Climate Change Solutions.

And last week, EESI sat down with Danielle Watson, senior director of policy at American Forests, to discuss the reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service. Scroll on for Watson’s breakdown of the implications of these changes on wildfire policy, appropriations conversations, and decades of science.

The Latest Solutions

Article | The National Flood Insurance Program is Perpetually Underwater. Are There Bipartisan Solutions?
[10 min. read]

The National Flood Insurance Program is the largest—and sometimes only—source of flood insurance for residential properties in the United States. But the program has gone through five lapses in appropriations since fiscal year 2017, and faces continuous challenges of insolvency, multiple loss properties, outdated data, and patchwork flood disclosure laws. [click for more]

Article | It Takes a Neighborhood: The Push for Home Hardening in Los Angeles
[8 min. read]

In January 2025, Los Angeles experienced two of the deadliest wildfires in California’s history. Home hardening is an effective and scalable way to protect homes and businesses from fire damage and ensuing loss of insurance coverage. [click for more]

Article | After the Storm Passes, Inequities Worsen
[7 min. read]

Climate-driven extreme weather events make no distinction between rich and poor. The same cannot be said for recovery efforts, however. The economic burdens of disaster are unequal, with poorer communities receiving less post-disaster assistance and recovery resources. Ultimately, wealthy residents tend to accumulate more wealth, while lower-income individuals fall deeper into poverty. Federal partnerships with local governments, community-based nonprofits, mutual aid groups, and labor unions can help narrow the gap. [click for more]

On the Hill

Hydropower Gets a Big Boost: The President signed a bill (S.1020) to extend construction deadlines for hydropower projects into law (P.L.119-90). The bill, which cleared the Senate by unanimous consent and passed 394-14 in the House, was led by Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.).

Biofuel Producers Get a Boost: The House passed the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025 (H.R.1346) to boost biofuel production across the country. Reps. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.) lead the bill, which would lift restrictions on the seasonal sale of E15 fuel and make it available year-round, providing greater economic security for biofuel producers. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) leads the bipartisan Senate companion bill (S.593).

Grid Bill SECURES Committee Win: The House Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced the Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient (SECURE) Grid Act (H.R.7257) to safeguard the country’s energy infrastructure. Reps. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) and Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) introduced the bill to require states to assess electric grid vulnerabilities to extreme weather, aging infrastructure, and cyber threats in their respective state energy security plans. To learn more about grid resilience solutions, check out EESI’s briefing, Powering Up: Improving Energy Grid Reliability and Resilience to Lower Energy Bills.

Coastal Data Bill Inches Forward: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation advanced the Integrated Ocean Observation System (IOOS) Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S.2126). The bill, introduced by Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), would reauthorize the IOOS—which provides real-time data to support fisheries and coastal communities—for five fiscal years, at current funding levels. Rep. Mike Ezell (R-Miss.) leads the House version of the bill (H.R.2294), which passed in March 2026. To learn more about climate-related data, check out EESI’s and Climate Central’s recent briefing.

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for May 4-8 and May 11-15.

Upcoming Events

2026 Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO, Policy Forum, and Reception
Wednesday, June 24
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Rayburn House Office Building 2168 (Gold Room) and online

Join EESI for our 29th annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum (EXPO 2026), held in partnership with the House and Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucuses. From 10:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., top-level speakers will showcase technologies and solutions that save households money, improve the economy, build resilience, protect our security interests, and reduce carbon emissions. There will be a reception to follow in the Rayburn Foyer. The entire event is free to attend and open to the public. RSVP here, and stay tuned for panel updates.

In Case You Missed It

Briefing Video Now Available | Policies
and Financing Solutions to Modernize
U.S. Water Infrastructure

EESI partnered with American Rivers for a briefing about our nation’s most pressing water infrastructure challenges, and solutions to close the gap between investment needs and reliable water services. Panelists presented innovative policy, technology, and financing strategies—from smart monitoring systems to credit trading—to improve water infrastructure across the country.

Key Takeaways and Video Now
Available | Rapid Readout: Implications of
the U.S. Forest Service Reorganization

Danielle Watson, senior director of policy at American Forests, joined EESI to discuss the recently announced reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service. Watson broke down the implications of these changes on wildfire policy, appropriations conversations, and decades of science.

Latest Media Coverage

Our article on data center water use was cited by multiple outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, CBS News, Alabama Daily News, WATE 6, WTOC, and the Lodi News-Sentinel.
Our article on noise pollution from data centers was cited by Block Club Chicago and The Cool Down.

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Thanks to all EESI staff, interns, and fellows who contribute to Climate Change Solutions

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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