INTERNATIONAL
- The United Nations recently announced that the next session of the Conference of Parties - COP26 - will be delayed until November 2021, due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global epidemic.
FEDERAL
- The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service recently issued a notice declaring that companies that had started construction on renewable energy projects in 2016 or 2017, will now have an extra year to get those projects into service. This move allows companies to still take advantage of tax credits. Due to COVID-19, the renewable energy sector has experienced delays and setbacks.
- Led by Democratic House members, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to take up numerous energy and environment focused bills toward the end of this month (June). This includes twelve (12) spending bills, a "green infrastructure" package, and others.
- On Wednesday, June 3, 2020, Democratic members in the
House, introduced a $500 billion green infrastructure bill focused on
transportation.
MULTIPLE STATES
- Elected officials in numerous states that are seen as pro-gas are working to ensure that bans on natural gas hook-ups are not passed. Meanwhile, other states are pushing for these bans and are in support of electricity instead, as it's viewed as being more environmentally-friendly. - Thirteen (13) cities and states that received funding through an Obama Administration program for projects to help protect their communities from climate change-related disasters, is now in jeopardy. Part of the commitment for the funding was that it had to be spent by the fall of 2022. Due to delays caused by COVID-19, cities and states may not be able to meet the fall 2022 deadline. This would result in remaining monies being withheld, unless Congress extends the deadline.
INDIVIDUAL STATES
CALIFORNIA
- The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that lawsuits brought against oil companies for environmental damages they are being accused of causing by California cities and counties, should be heard in state court. This ruling was against what oil companies wanted. If cities and counties win the lawsuits, it could result in oil companies having to pay billions of dollars for climate change damages. FLORIDA
- A youth-led lawsuit against the State of Florida accusing the state of encroaching on their constitutional rights by contributing to climate change, was dismissed by a 2nd Judicial Circuit Court judge. The court believed that they were being asked to settle a political question. The youths intend to appeal the decision.
MASSACHUSETTS
- The Massachusetts Attorney General has asked the Department of Public Utilities to look into how the Commonwealth can transition away from its natural gas utilities. Massachusetts has a goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. Two other states - New York and California - are also already undergoing similar inquiries.
MINNESOTA
- Update: The Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) Act which many of you signed onto a Ceres' letter of support for, and which passed out of the House, failed to pass in the Senate prior to the Minnesota legislative session coming to an end this year. Thank you to everyone who did sign-on and show your support for the ECO Act.
Opportunities to Participate
NOTE: The following are opportunities for colleges and universities to sign-onto; not opportunities for individuals at colleges and universities to sign-onto. Are you an individual at a higher education institution who believes your college/university may be interested in signing onto one of these opportunities? We encourage you to reach-out to the leadership at your institution and let them know about these opportunities.
FLORIDA
Our partner, Ceres has pulled together a sign-on support letter encouraging the state's Congressional delegation to move the state toward "more common-sense climate and clean energy solutions." If you are a Florida higher education institution who has not yet signed onto this letter, however would like to, here's your opportunity to do so.
MULTI-STATE
There is currently a multi-state effort underway focused on accelerating "the deployment of zero emission medium-and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs)." In December 2019, eight states - California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia - signed a "Statement of Intent" to work together to develop an MOU signed by Governors who are committed to accelerating said deployment. This includes the Governors of these eight states, and the Governors for other states that may be interested as well. Interested institutions can sign-onto a letter of support
Ceres created. The deadline to do so is June 17, 2020.
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 15 states plus Washington, D.C. for our primary focus - Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, 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 15 states (plus Washington, D.C.) - from month to month.
Sources:
Abnett, K. and Volcovici, V. (2020, May 28). U.N. delays crucial climate summit for a year, cites pandemic. Reuters. URL. Retrieved: 6-1-2020. Beitsch, R. (2020, June 3). House Democrats roll out $500B green transportation infrastructure bill. The Hill. URL. Retrieved: 6-4-2020. Dooley, E.C. and Kay, J. (2020, May 27). Pro-gas states pass laws barring natural gas bans, limits (1). Bloomberg Law. URL. Retrieved: 6-4-2020. Flavelle, C. (2020, June 1). States warn that virus may doom climate projects. The New York Times. URL. Retrieved: 6-4-2020. Frazin, R. (2020, May 27). Trump administration gives renewables more time to take advantage of tax credits. The Hill. URL. Retrieved: 6-4-2020.
IISD: Knowledge Hub. 2021 UN climate change conference (UNFCCC COP 26). URL. Retrieved: 6-4-2020. Jossi, F. (2020, May 21). For clean energy groups, solar rebate funds are legislative consolation prize. Energy News Network. URL. Retrieved: 6-5-2020. Koss, G. and Cahlink, G. (2020, June 1). Energy, environment issues to resurface this summer. E&E News. URL. Retrieved: 6-1-2020. Melley, B. (2020, May 26). Big Oil loses appeal, climate suits go to California courts. AP News. URL. Retrieved: 6-5-2020. Meszaros, J. (2020, June 4). Florida youths' climate case against state dismissed, appeal planned. WUSF Public Media: WUSF News. URL. Retrieved: 6-5-2020. Mohl, B. (2020, June 4). Healey calls for orderly transition away from natural gas. CommonWealth Magazine. URL. Retrieved: 6-5-2020.
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