Welcome to the first monthly edition of Second Nature's Policy Update! 

In our ongoing efforts to accelerate climate action by leveraging the strengths of higher education, we are going to be bringing you more information on climate policy efforts and initiatives in your state (and on the federal level when relevant), and about opportunities for your campus to participate.  

Our partner 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.   

On the second Thursday of every month, we will send a Policy Update email.  If there are other individuals on your campus - government or legislative affairs professionals, or communications, public relations staff - who should be receiving these emails instead of you (or in addition to you), please let Amanda Belles (abelles@secondnature.org) know.

This is a pilot effort, and we are always open to feedback with respect to how helpful these updates are.  

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.  

Need to Know

ILLINOIS
During their current legislative session (January-May 2020), Illinois lawmakers are expected to adopt major clean energy legislation called the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA).  The Act will likely result in committing Illinois to using 100% renewable energy by 2050, transition the state to a carbon-free power sector by 2030, and more.  If you would be interested in signing onto a letter of support at a future date if there is one, please let Second Nature (abelles@secondnature.org) know.     

MICHIGAN
Many of you may have signed onto a letter initiated by Ceres to Governor Whitmer, in support of an anticipated Executive Order in regard to climate and sustainability related items.  The letter was delivered to the Governor on March 6th. 

OHIO
If you weren't aware of it already, there is a coalition of local entities focused on "equipping local leaders for community-driven carbon reductions in Ohio", called Power A Clean Future Ohio.  They may be a good resource to follow in regard to climate action some of the local communities are doing.

VIRGINIA
Through the Virginia Clean Economy Act, Virginia is working toward committing to being 100% clean power by 2045.  Passed by the Virginia state lawmakers, the Act is now on the Governor's desk for potential signature.  If signed (the Governor has 30 days to sign or to offer amendments), Virginia would join numerous other states who have already made similar commitments.

The Virginia General Assembly also passed HB 981, which allows the state to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).  Some of you signed the Thank You letter, found here.    

Opportunities to Participate

CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VIRGINIA, VERMONT, WASHINGTON, D.C.
Many of you previously signed onto a letter in support of the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) in February; thank you to those who have.  The letter was submitted on February 28th to the Georgetown Climate Center Comments Portal by Ceres.  

If you have not yet signed onto this letter and are interested in doing so, you still can.  Next step is state-specific versions of the letter that will be sent by Ceres to the Governors of each TCI state (those listed above) and DC this month.  You can find background information about TCI, here.   

COLORADO
During the current state legislative session, the Colorado General Assembly is expected to adopt a statewide energy benchmarking policy that will spur energy efficiency investment, and tackle emissions in the building sector.  For more information, please read this background briefing from Ceres.  You can make sure your institution's voice is heard by participating in a sign-on letter.  If you would like to sign-onto the letter, please contact Emily Duff at: duff@ceres.org. 

FLORIDA
Ceres has initiated a sign-on letter to Florida's Congressional Delegation, encouraging them to support climate and clean energy solutions.  Those who have signed on thus far, include Florida-based companies, investors, higher education institutions, and others.  If you have signed onto this letter already, thank you.  If you have not, but would like to, you can access the letter here.  

MINNESOTA
There is currently an effort in the state of Minnesota to adopt California's Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) program, which would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and create cleaner transportation.  For more information, please view a background briefing by Ceres here.  

There is currently a Senate bill (SF 3496) in opposition to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) authority to establish vehicle emissions standards.  While it is not expected that the House or Governor would agree to the bill, if you are interested in ensuring that higher education's voice is heard, there is an opportunity for you to do so by reaching out to Senate leadership to share your support.  For more information, sample language, and more, please contact Mel Mackin at Ceres.    

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Ceres is hosting a webinar on Monday, March 16th, to discuss state legislative priorities and key bills they are tracking in the House and Senate this legislative cycle in the State of New Hampshire.  If you are interested in dialing in, you can register for the webinar here.  

Our monthly policy updates, information, and opportunities to participate, are developed with support from Ceres, which is an organizational partner of Second Nature.