Engaging with Congress on Climate Change Solutions

Hi there, 

You are invaluable. It’s been just over a month since I’ve become the Executive Director of EESI, and already I can see how important you are--thank you! Your generosity powers climate solutions, both here in Washington and in work to spur energy innovation work in 12 states across the country.

You are invaluable. It’s been just a month since I’ve become the Executive Director of EESI, and already I can see how important you are--thank you! Your generosity powers climate solutions, both here in Washington and in work to spur energy innovation work in 12 states across the country.

Just this month, you powered my testimony before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on domestic and international opportunities to advance energy efficiency. This important hearing inspired Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) to tweet:

"Even small changes to improve #EnergyEfficiency can make a big difference. In the small Southeast Alaskan town of Yukatat, the elementry school made the change to energy efficient lighting & saved nearly $70,000 a year -- enough to cover a teacher's salary, for example."

Senator Murkowski and the committee’s ranking member, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), have prioritized energy efficiency in their work to address climate change. The bipartisan duo teamed up over the summer to introduce a bill to improve the energy efficiency of federal buildings. The Senate Energy Committee recently approved that legislation and a number of other bills on energy efficiency, storage, research and development, and workforce development that could be voted on later this year.

News like this doesn’t usually make the headlines -- but as I said in my testimony, enacting these bills would be a big win. You and I both know there are barriers to swift action, to say the least, but we can’t give up, and I’m so grateful to have you on the team!

And did you know you’re powering an important linkage between federal policy work and on-the-ground technical assistance to resource-strapped utilities in struggling rural areas? Because of you, EESI worked closely with USDA, which has released $75 million in zero-interest financing to rural utilities across America.

That helps struggling families pay for their energy bills, while driving down carbon emissions. That’s so important because low-income families sometimes have to choose between paying their energy bills and paying for other necessities, such as food and medicine. You’ve helped expand programs like this to rural communities across 12 states.   Only 38 states to go with your continued support!

I’m so grateful. Your support is so important in this urgent time. Simply put, you bring climate solutions to light.

If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns, you can reach me at dbresette@eesi.org or 202-662-1881. It would be such a pleasure to hear from you.

Thank you again,

Daniel Bresette
Executive Director

Links:

• My testimony before Congress
• Please sign up for our Climate Change Solutions newsletter!