Engaging with Congress on Climate Change Solutions

Is it possible for housing to be energy-efficient, green, and affordable, all at the same time? How can it be done? Does it have anything to do with the Clean Power Plan, or is that simply about power plants? With your support, EESI examined these questions in a recent public briefing, and received tremendous positive feedback about the forum’s value. You can watch it online here – or read below about the issue and how you helped! 

Thanks in part to your support of EESI’s project on GlobalGiving, Congressional staff, media, and the policy community learned more about energy-efficient, green affordable housing in EESI’s recent briefing, whether they were attending in-person or online.

Housing that is both green and affordable can improve health and safety for lower-income families, while also providing economic and environmental benefits to state and local governments. Moreover, green affordable housing can serve as one part of a state’s Clean Power Plan compliance strategy.

This briefing was one in a series on environmental justice that you, and others like you, are helping to make possible. Your support helps highlight the importance of environmental justice as it relates to the EPA's Clean Power Plan, the nation's first-ever regulation limiting carbon pollution from power plants. Energy-efficient buildings offer significant opportunities for curbing climate change because buildings use about 40 percent of our country's total energy and more than 70 percent of its electricity.

EESI’s own Ellen Vaughan, Policy Director for Sustainable Buildings, opened the briefing, noting that sustainable buildings are good for people and communities. She noted that energy costs can be a significant burden for low-income households; people who spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent or a mortgage are hit the hardest with high energy bills. Yet sadly that is too often the case for low-income families. Sustainable, affordable housing retrofits as well as new construction can dramatically cut energy costs and improve comfort and health!

Expert speakers showcased sustainable affordable housing developments in Pittsburgh, PA, as well as the retrofit of a low-income housing development in Washington, DC. States are being encouraged to reduce energy demand as a way to cut carbon pollution. Though the Clean Power Plan's implementation has been temporarily suspended by the Supreme Court, at least 22 states have voluntarily decided to press ahead.

The Clean Power Plan rewards states that implement energy efficiency projects in low-income communities, which have historically suffered from high levels of air pollution and high energy bills, through the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP). Making new construction more sustainable and improving existing affordable housing to be more energy efficient, safe, and healthful can therefore be key strategies for Clean Power Plan compliance.

This will also make communities more resilient to extreme weather, economic downturns and other hardships--a win-win that you are helping to make possible with your GlobalGiving gifts to EESI!

Links:

• Read more about this briefing on sustainable, affordable housing
• Sign up for our briefing notices and newsletters!
• Super-efficient retrofit makes housing even more affordable.

2015 has been such a critical year for U.S. and global environmental progress—thanks to you and others like you who helped press for action through your Global Giving donation. The substantial progress that was made includes:

• The finalization of the Clean Power Plan in August, the largest near-term opportunity for CO2 reductions from the power sector in our country. EESI held a series of briefings on the Clean Power Plan, showcasing how it could be cost effectively implemented by states.
• A steady drumbeat of countries coming forth with their national plans for climate action, including substantial commitments from China and India (indeed, more than 180 countries submitted their climate plans this year!). EESI looked at what China is doing to cut its carbon emissions in a summer briefing.
• A strong agreement coming out of the Paris climate negotiations, including a goal to keep global warming as low as possible (even lower than the previous international goal of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), and to look at each country's progress every five years (see EESI’s analysis of the Paris climate agreement).

You have played a critical role in all of this with your support on Global Giving! Thanks to your generous support in 2015, EESI engaged policymakers on Capitol Hill and staffers at federal agencies to generate the momentum for action.

Now let's make sure we keep this momentum going strong! YOU can advance clean energy in 2016 – when you act today with a year-end 2015 tax deductible gift!

During the climate negotiations in Paris, EESI held a briefing on how the United States and Europe can work together to advance renewable energy. Expert speakers discussed how all levels of governments in the European Union and United States can expand their collaboration on renewable energy to create a more sustainable economy.

The briefing featured a new report by the Center for Climate Strategies, which will examine common challenges and opportunities in the renewable energy sector that are prime candidates for new or enhanced forms of transatlantic collaboration.

Briefing attendees were invited to provide comments and input for the report; they discussed how enhanced transatlantic cooperation can help set the stage for new investments and technologies through greater thought leadership, information sharing, and technical assistance.

In addition to making such briefings possible, you and your support also funds key, fact-filled publications. Just recently, your generous support helped us publish a Fact Sheet on Jobs in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (2015), in order to help our policymakers understand the economic benefits of clean energy!

You can help advance clean energy policy in 2016 with a gift to EESI through the Global Giving website today! And remember, there are only a few days left to qualify for a 2015 tax deduction!

You are definitely making a difference as we tackle climate change with your Global Giving gift to EESI. Thanks again!

Links:

• EESI news release of Paris climate agreement
• Transatlantic collaboration on renewable energy briefing
• Ways you can get involved