Inside the Greenhouse is a monthly newsletter about FCNL’s environmental work, ways to engage members of Congress, and stories of your work around the country. In addition to FCNL’s staff lobbyists, this year our Advocacy Corps — 20 young people nationwide — are working with us for congressional action on climate change.
Challenges and Prizes Act Gains Four New Cosponsors
Write a letter to the editor in support of climate action
In June, the Challenges and Prizes for Climate Act (H.R. 5031) gained four new cosponsors: Representatives Chris Smith (NJ-4), Rick Larsen (WA-2), Elizabeth Esty (CT-5), and Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2). FCNL is excited to see momentum building for H.R. 5031, and we are grateful to the new cosponsors for their support!
The Challenges and Prizes for Climate Act is modeled after the DOE L prize, which led to the development of the modern LED lightbulb. The bill would establish a competitive grant program within the Department of Energy to encourage innovation. It covers five areas: carbon capture, energy efficiency, energy storage, climate resiliency, and data analytics. By encouraging innovation, we can advance five important tools in a suite of options needed to address climate change.
We are asking members of Congress to show their commitment to bipartisan climate momentum by cosponsoring H.R. 5031, the Challenges and Prizes for Climate Act. Join us by writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper encouraging your elected representative to be a cosponsor.
Social Cost of Carbon
On June 8, the House of Representatives amended the energy and water spending bill (H.R. 5895) to block implementation of the social cost of carbon program at the EPA.
The social cost of carbon is a metric used to quantify the potential economic damage from climate change. It is often used to justify environmental regulations and calculate the benefits or costs of proposed rules. It can include measuring the impacts on agriculture, people’s health, and property damage from extreme weather events, like flooding.
The June 8 vote was similar to a vote taken on the social cost of carbon last year. In the most recent vote, however, over 3 times as many House Republicans voted to maintain the program compared to last year’s vote. Although the amendment passed, we are encouraged by the increasing number of Republicans in the House who are willing to go against the president and their party leadership to support climate programs.
Climate Solutions Caucus Grows
The Climate Solutions Caucus gained six new members in June: Representatives Bill Posey (FL-08), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Lynn Jenkins (KS-02), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Brett Guthrie (KY-02), and John Yarmuth (KY-03).
There are currently 78 members of the Climate Solutions Caucus
The Climate Solutions Caucus is the first bipartisan body of its kind. It educates representatives on economically-viable options to reduce climate risk and explores bipartisan policy options that address the impacts, causes, and challenges of our changing climate. See who’s involved.
News and Updates
Pope Francis met with oil and gas CEO’s to warn them not to “destroy civilization”: UPDATE 2-Pope warns energy bosses of global destruction without fuel shift
A group of Republican senators asked President Trump to bring the Kigali Amendment to the Senate for ratification: GOP senators push Trump to submit pollution treaty amendment for Senate approval
President Trump directed Rick Perry and the Department of Energy to look for ways to prop up coal: Trump calls for coal, nuclear power plant bailout
G7 leads the way forward on climate change without Trump: Six of the G7 Commit to Climate Action. Trump Wouldn’t Even Join Conversation.
Advocacy Corps Wrap-Up:
The 2017-18 Advocacy Corps concluded their work on May 31, 2018. In the last 9 months, the 20 members of the Advocacy Corps worked hard to connect local activists with their members of Congress. Their goal was to affect meaningful, bipartisan action on climate change.
They participated in 165 lobby visits involving 586 constituents, and produced 77 op-eds and letters to the editor in their local papers. They engaged their communities and have made their voices heard in many ways.
A few of the highlights from this year’s Advocacy Corps Class include:
Angela Nalubega brought a staff member from the office of Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to Antioch College. The staffer talked with 37 students, faculty, and staff about protecting the environment and making climate change a national priority.
Corena Owens and a group of Girl Scouts spoke with Rep. David Price (D-NC-04). They asked him to join the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus and support environmental funding.
Morgan Mack published a letter to the editor in the Wayne County Indivisible Newsletter, calling out the record-breaking qualities of 2017’s hurricanes. He urged his representative, Luke Messer (R-IN-06), to address climate change.
Itzel Perez Hernandez wrote to the Atlantic Highlands Herald to highlight the connection between environmental issues and women’s rights.
Benjamin Wertz advocated for Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN-05) to co-sponsor H.R. 3681, the 2017 ARPA-E Reauthorization Act. She agreed to co-sponsor the bill due in large part to his discussions with her office.
Congratulations to this year’s Advocacy Corps class for a successful year!
