There’s a lot of climate and energy news out there. Inside the Greenhouse is here to help you sort through it all. Every month, we highlight the most significant developments in Congress and beyond on the climate crisis, clean energy, environmental justice, and more.
From carbon pricing to solar and wind energy, we’re keeping tabs on the climate policies that matter most to you. We’ll also provide you with a monthly action, so that you can join thousands of other climate advocates in calling for a more green and sustainable future.
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On Jan. 27, the House passed the Strategic Production Response Act (H.R. 21), which would prevent the Department of Energy from using more oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until the Biden administration presents a plan to increase the number of federal lands available for oil and gas drilling leases.
The 117th Congress wrapped up its work at the end of December. Over the course of the two-year session, lawmakers passed several key climate-forward bills.
Rep. Donald McEachin (VA-04), a staunch advocate for environmental justice, passed away on Nov. 28. He first took office in 2017 and worked tirelessly to ensure that infrastructure projects would not disproportionately harm low-income communities and people of color. In honor of Rep. McEachin’s legacy, lawmakers on the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis sent a letter to House Democratic leadership on Nov. 30, urging them to pass the Environmental Justice for All Act before the end of the year.
The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP27, began on Nov. 6 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, and will last until Nov. 18. Representatives from each UN nation are discussing climate change mitigation, adaptation, and how to address the crisis through foreign assistance.
In return for his support for the Inflation Reduction Act, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) promised Sen. Joe Manchin (WV) a vote on permitting reform. Permitting is the process for getting federal approval for energy projects.
Following its August recess, Congress returned to Washington D.C. this week to address the issue of permitting reform for existing energy infrastructure projects.
It has been a long time in the making, but the Senate finally passed a historic bill that meaningfully addresses climate change.
Late last month, the Supreme Court ruled on a 6-3 basis to constrain the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to regulate emissions from the power sector. Many climate advocates consider the decision to be a blow to the administration’s efforts to address the growing climate crisis.
The next two months present the best opportunity for the 117th Congress to take meaningful and historic action on climate policy. The goal is to reach an agreement before lawmakers depart for their August congressional recess. We are lobbying to ensure that tax incentives for renewable energy and environmental justice policies are included in any final reconciliation bill.
In the last two weeks, Sens. Joe Manchin (WV) and Lisa Murkowski (AK) hosted conversations to discuss the potential of a bipartisan energy bill. Seven Democrats and four Republican senators attended the latest meeting to discuss what types of provisions could garner bipartisan support.
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