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Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!
In this issue, we’re bringing you adaptation and resilience solutions from coastal farms, rural water utilities, and the sports arena. We also tracked the latest committee hearings held on climate, energy, and environment topics during March and April to keep you up to date on Congress’s priorities.
Finally, don’t miss today’s Congressional briefing, Risky Business: Insurance in the Era of Climate Change! Join us at noon EDT in room 562 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building (or online) for special remarks from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) followed by an expert panel. Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees before the briefing at 11:45 a.m., so be sure to get there early!
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Amidst Climate Impacts, Rural Water Systems Rely on Federal Programs
[11 min. read]
Extreme weather events threaten already-underresourced water and wastewater systems in rural communities. Leveraging insights from West Virginia and Kentucky, this article highlights key federal legislation and programs for improving rural water systems, and explores how decision-makers can optimize these interventions. [click for more]
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Podcast: What’s the Game Plan for Climate Action? “Warming Up” with Sport Ecologist Madeleine Orr
[30 min. listen]
Climate change has thrown the sports world a massive curveball. Rising temperatures and extreme weather threaten athletics of all seasons and settings, from mountain skiing to ocean surfing. Sport ecologist Madeleine Orr joined Daniel and Alison on The Climate Conversation to discuss her book, Warming Up: How Climate Change Is Changing Sport. She explained how the industry can protect athletes and fans while reducing its environmental impact. [click for more]
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Domestic Supply Chain Bill Passes Both Chambers: The House passed the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2025 (H.R.2444). Rep. John James (R-Mich.), alongside Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Erin Houchin (R-Ind.), and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), reintroduced the bill to strengthen domestic supply chains through improved mapping and monitoring—including for the critical minerals required for clean energy technologies. Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed a companion bill (S.257), led by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.).
Bill Introduced to Kick Forever Chemicals Out of Federal Contracts: Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), and Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) introduced the PFAS-Free Procurement Act (H.R.3110). The bill would prohibit the federal procurement of products containing perfluorooctane sulfonate or perfluorooctanoic acid—commonly known as PFAS—and facilitate the procurement of PFAS-free products. Read more about PFAS, their harmful health impacts, and the everyday products that contain them in EESI’s issue brief, The State of PFAS Forever Chemicals in America.
Bipartisan Effort to Modernize the Grid: Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced the Preventing Power Outages Act (S.1566) to strengthen the resilience of the U.S. electric grid. Specifically, the bill would reauthorize and update two U.S. Department of Energy grant programs that support grid infrastructure modernization.
TREES Act Reintroduced to Beat the Heat: Reps. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) reintroduced the TREES Act (H.R.3009). If passed, the bill would lower home energy costs—particularly in underserved communities—by increasing tree coverage in residential areas. To fund tree planting efforts, the bill would also create a $50 million grant program under the Department of Energy. Hear from Rep. Cleaver about the TREES Act and learn more about nature-based solutions by watching EESI’s briefing, Cities Leading the Way on Nature-Based Solutions.
We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative tracker for April 21 - 25 and April 28 - May 2.
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Risky Business: Insurance in the Era of Climate Climate
TODAY!
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. EDT
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 562 and online
This briefing will explore Congress’s role in bolstering the long-term resilience, investability, and insurability of U.S. communities. Panelists will review the basics of property insurance and showcase existing and emerging tools—from parametric insurance to climate endorsements—that are reshaping how insurance products can better serve communities. RSVP here.
Next Stop: Sustainable Public Transit and Mobility
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. EDT
Capitol Visitor’s Center Room SVC 208 and online
Each day, roughly 6,800 public transit providers across the United States carry millions of people in rural and urban communities to work, school, medical appointments, and grocery stores by bus, ferry, tram, or subway. This briefing will highlight the federal programs and research that move our public transit forward. RSVP here.
Like Trains? Then Choo-Choose to Learn About Federal Rail Policy
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. EDT
Rayburn House Office Building Gold Room (Room 2168) and online
This briefing will explore the past, current, and future role of rail in the U.S. transportation sector and highlight key rail programs under the surface transportation bill. Speakers will also describe opportunities to modernize railways through electrification, faster trains, track expansion, and safety improvements. RSVP here.
Economist Impact’s Sustainability Week U.S.
Thursday, June 12, 2025
All Day
Convene New York, 117 West 46th Street, New York, NY
Economist Impact’s 5th annual Sustainability Week U.S. will explore how companies can use clean energy, smart technologies, and strategic investments to promote economic growth and environmental responsibility. With more than 150 speakers, 500 in-person attendees, 50 case studies, and 30 top energy companies, this event will present original insights and practical solutions. EESI is a media partner for this event. Register here ( Climate Change Solutions readers benefit from a 20% discount code, MPSWUS20).
Shifting Gears: Policies for a More Sustainable Highway System
Friday, June 13, 2025
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. EDT
Online only
This online-only briefing will highlight how U.S. highways can be maintained in the context of a changing climate, from increasing preparedness for extreme weather events to building out electric vehicle charging corridors. Panelists will highlight opportunities for federal policy to help relocate highways to reconnect communities, use cool pavement and climate-smart building materials, and manage toxic runoff from roads. The briefing will also identify opportunities to optimize federal funding to improve the way the country’s highways connect people. RSVP here.
Beating the Heat: A 2025 Heat Policy Agenda
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. EDT
Rayburn House Office Building Gold Room (Room 2168) and online
This briefing will highlight the Federation of American Scientists’ 2025 Heat Policy Agenda, which outlines policy considerations for Congress and the Administration to prevent infrastructure damage, economic impacts, and loss of life from heat. Speakers will describe opportunities to safeguard critical infrastructure, improve productivity, and improve federal and subnational coordination on heat preparedness, management, and resilience. RSVP here. And don’t forget about EESI’s 2025 Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum on Thursday, July 24, 2025!
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| Detailed summary notes are now available for our briefing about the Colorado River. This briefing focused on the role of federal policy in helping stakeholders across the West address drought and water stress through water conservation. Panelists discussed the importance of collaboration between tribes, the agriculture sector, cities, and local and federal government to improve water resource management across the river basin. Read the summary notes here. |
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| Detailed summary notes are now available for our Clean Manufacturing in America briefing. Panelists highlighted how onshoring the manufacturing of clean energy, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle components increases American competitiveness, secures U.S. supply chains, and creates jobs. And if you love heat pumps, this is the briefing for you! Read the summary notes here. |
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Latest Media Coverage
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies cited EESI’s renewable energy topic page in an article explaining the difference between renewable energy and sustainable energy.
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