Monthly Policy Update | August 2021  
 

Need to Know

IPCC's WORKING GROUP I REPORT
 - On Monday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)'s Working Group I report, AR6 Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis was released.  We issued a statement in response.  Read here. . . 

GLOBAL
 - A newly formed group - The Global Alliance for a Green New Deal - which includes policymakers from six of the seven continents (Antarctica), plans to push countries globally to take climate action.  More. . . 

 - In mid-July, the United States and Russia put out a joint statement focused on combatting climate change.  More. . .

FEDERAL 
 - U.S. Senator Cory Booker has reintroduced The Environmental Justice Act of 2021 legislation in the U.S. Senate.  Similar legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year by Congressman Raul Ruiz.  More. . .

 - In early August, President Biden's administration established a goal that by 2030, half of all vehicles sold in the United States will need to be electric.  More. . . 

 - Towards the end of July, President Biden also announced a plan of action requiring federal agencies to give 40% of energy and environment spending to poverty-stricken communities.  More. . .

 - Some U.S. Senators would like to inflict a tax on products entering the U.S. that are from countries with poor climate policies.  More. . .

 - The Biden administration is looking more into offshore wind opportunities in conjunction with the administration's goal of having 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030.  More. . .

 - This week, the U.S. Senate passed a major infrastructure plan which now goes to the U.S. House of Representatives.  More. . .

INDIVIDUAL STATES
CALIFORNIA
 - In mid-July, California Governor Newsom signed legislation - the California Comeback Plan - into law.  The Plan will put $100 billion toward solving some of California's most critical problems, including combatting climate change. 
More. . . | Read the press release from the Governor's Office

COLORADO
 - The State of Colorado is interested in having Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations installed at rest areas along roads that fall under the federal government purview, which is currently preventing it from happening.  More. . . 

MASSACHUSETTS
 - At the end of July, the City of Boston announced a "Request for Information" for ideas in response to funds that will be put toward the creation of green jobs.  More. . .

MINNESOTA
 - The Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) Act signed by Minnesota Governor Walz in May, will aid in the removal of barriers that currently prevent homeowners in the state from being able to do home energy upgrades.  More. . . 
 

Opportunities to Participate

NOTE: The following opportunities are for colleges and universities for sign-on; not opportunities for individuals at colleges and universities.  Are you an individual at a higher education institution who believes your college/university may be interested in signing onto the below opportunities?  We encourage you to reach-out to the leadership at your institution and let them know. 

Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
The Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule, which was first adopted in California last year, sets annually increasing zero-emission MHDV sales targets for truck manufacturers -- effectively creating economies of scale that will expedite market transformation and more rapidly unlock the cost, climate, and clean air benefits of decarbonizing MHDVs. Four states (MA, NJ, OR, and WA) have initiated rule-making processes to follow CA and adopt the ACT by the end of 2021 and others plan to follow in 2022.

Ceres, a partner of ours, is coordinating a sign-on letter in support of ACT.  If you are interested in signing onto the letter, the deadline to do so is Wednesday, September 22nd.  If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Helfrich (helfrich@ceres.org). 

CALIFORNIA
Legislation - SB17 (Pan) - currently working its way through the California Legislature would create a statewide Office of Racial Equity.  The office would focus on ensuring more equitable and sustainable policies in the State of California, specifically when it comes to transportation, climate, energy, building, and water policies.  

Ceres has drafted a cross-sectoral letter in support of SB17 (PAN) to Governor Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Atkins, and Speaker Rendon.  

We encourage you to read the letter, and if interested, signing onto it.  The deadline to sign onto the letter is Friday, August 20th.  If you would like to sign onto the letter, please contact Sarah Sachs (ssachs@ceres.org) and Jennifer Helfrich (helfrich@ceres.org).  You can also contact Sarah and Jennifer with any questions. 

Sources:
Aronoff, K.  (2021, July 19).  A New Global Group of 21 Lawmakers Will Pressure Countries on Climate Change.  The New Republic.  URL. 

City of Boston.  (2021, July 29).  City of Boston Launches RFI for Feedback on the Future of Green Jobs.  City of Boston.  URL.    

Cory Book Press Release.  (2021, August 5).  Booker Reintroduces Sweeping Environmental Justice Bill.  Cory Book Senate Website.  URL. 

Franck, T.  (2021, August 10).  Here’s what’s next for the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill.  CNBC.  URL. 

Friedman, L.  (2021, July 19).  cliDemocrats Propose a Border Tax Based on Countries’ Greenhouse Gas Emissions.  The New York Times.  URL. 

Josi, F.  (2021, July 9).  Updated Minnesota conservation program aims to close ‘pre-weatherization’ gap.  Energy News Network.  URL.  

Lake County News Reports.  (2021, July 13).  Governor signs $100 billion California Comeback Plan to accelerate state’s recovery and tackle persistent challenges.  Lake County News.  URL. 

Milman, O.  (2021, August 5).  Biden sets goal for 50% of new US vehicles to be electric by 2030.  The Guardian.  URL. 

Minor, N.  (2021, July 8).  Right Now, The Federal Government Blocks Colorado From Adding EV Chargers To Rest Areas. But That May Change Soon.  Colorado Public Radio.  URL.  

Mosbrucker, K.  (2021, June 8).  Feds take big step forward to evaluate wind energy off the coast of Louisiana; here's how.  nola.com.  URL. 

Office of Governor Gavin Newsom.  (2021, July 12).  California Roars Back: Governor Newsom Signs $100 Billion California Comeback Plan to Accelerate State’s Recovery and Tackle Persistent Challenges.  Office of Governor Gavin Newsom.  URL. 

Office of the Spokesperson.  (2021, July 15).  U.S.-Russia Joint Statement Addressing the Climate Challenge.  U.S. Department of State.  URL. 

Uhler, A.  (2021, July 21).  White House unveils strategy for bringing environmental justice to underprivileged communities.  Marketplace.  URL. 

Our monthly policy updates, information, and opportunities to participate, are developed with support from Ceres, which is an organizational partner of Second Nature.  Ceres has identified the following states plus Washington, D.C. for our primary focus - Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. - because of the beneficial legislative climates and real opportunities for policy advancements in these states.  

Note: The states included in each monthly Policy Update will be based on what policy updates we are recommending for that month, and are due to change - but will always be focused on the above states (plus Washington, D.C.) - from month to month.