Inside the Greenhouse is a monthly update on FCNL’s environmental advocacy and the climate crisis.
Advocates Lobby for Clean Energy Tax Credits
Sixteen constituents from seven states lobbied 27 congressional offices to protect clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169). They were hosted by FCNL and Friends Place, Feb. 22-24.
FCNL’s sustainable energy and environment team briefed them on the importance of these clean energy investments. They held a workshop on engaging with people who disagree and a panel discussion on faith and environmental stewardship.
The panel consisted of Keith Runyan, general secretary of Quaker Earthcare Witness; Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, chair of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life; and Dee Durham, chair of Plastics Free Delaware.
Passed in 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides clean energy tax credits to incentivize businesses, investors, and individuals to transition to more affordable and cleaner energy. Despite the economic benefits of these tax credits, they are at risk of being repealed to pay for extending 2017 tax cuts for the wealthy.
We are extremely grateful and inspired by the energy and advocacy of our network!
News and Updates
Trump Administration’s Environmental Policies Lead to Chaos
The Trump administration’s plans continue to raise concern and confusion over environmental policy and stewardship.
Recently hired U.S. Forest Service and National Park employees were fired, raising concerns over the increased risk of wildfires without staff to clear and maintain forests. Overseas pollution monitoring stations have been shut down, and the administration prevented access to such data. These attacks on climate science hurt our ability to monitor pollution, adapt to climate change-induced effects, and effectively steward our environment.
U.S. Bans Delegation from International Climate Science Meeting
The Trump administration banned the U.S. delegation from attending the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) meeting in Hangzhou, China, held Feb. 24-28.
This is the first time in the IPCC’s history that the U.S. team has not attended the conference. The IPCC provides governments with reports on the latest climate science and shapes climate policy, including the scientific basis for the goal of limiting global temperature rise.
The U.S. has been a long-standing financial supporter of the IPCC which is at the heart of global climate science cooperation. The meeting in China approved an outline for the new global climate assessment report, set to be released in late 2029.
Solar, Battery Storage Likely to Lead U.S. Electricity Generation in 2025
A recent report by U.S. Energy Information Agency projects that solar and battery storage will account for 81% of new utility-scale generating capacity added to the grid in 2025. Notably, Texas leads in renewable electricity generation from wind, utility-scale solar, and small-scale solar.
What We’re Reading:
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Supreme Court Deals Blow to E.P.A. in Dispute Over Federal Water Rules | The New York Times
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UN Talks End in Rome with Nations Backing $200 Billion a Year Plan to Protect Nature | AP News
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Half of Global Croplands Could See a Drop in Suitable Crops at 2C of Warming | Carbon Brief
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Where Did the Billions in Climate and Infrastructure Funding Go? | Grist
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U.S. Set to Shatter Grid Battery Records This Year | Canary Media
