Monthly Policy Update |

September 2022  

Policy Updates

NEED TO KNOW
Climate Change Actions Are Far More Popular Than People in U.S. Realize
Publication Date: August 23, 2022 | Source: Scientific American 

• Why This Matters: A new study shows that Americans almost universally underestimate the extent of climate concern and public support for policy measures to address climate change. Between 80 to 90 percent of those surveyed by Boston College underestimated the country's support for major climate mitigation policies. That means that if colleges and universities are to advocate for climate legislation, they are supporting policies that are wildly popular nationwide. 

FEDERAL
US to spend more than $500b on climate over a decade under three laws, study says
Publication Date: August 28, 2022 | Source: News24

• Why This Matters: According to a recent study by RMI, the U.S. government is slated to spend more than $500 billion on climate technology and clean energy over the next decade, roughly 15 times more than the country spent in the 1990s and early 2000s. The vast majority of this funding, around $362 billion, comes from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Higher education institutions will especially benefit from research and development funding and widespread investments in energy efficiency.  

Inflation Reduction Act Benefits: Clean Energy Tax Credits Could Double Deployment
Publication Date: August 23, 2022 | Source: Forbes 

• Why This Matters: The IRA revamps clean energy tax credits in several key ways, such as by extending credits at their full value for at least ten years and expanding tax credits' scope and flexibility. These changes, among others, provide more certainty for colleges and universities working on decarbonizing their campuses. 

The Inflation Reduction Act Could Transform the US Buildings Sector
Publication Date: August 31, 2022 | Source: RMI 

• Why This Matters: The IRA uses a suite of financial incentives to encourage individuals and businesses to invest in clean, efficient alternatives for their homes and business. These include energy retrofits, heat pump installations, new insulations, upgraded panels and wiring, among others. Higher education institutions should keep their eyes peeled for tax credits for building retrofits, which will increase beginning in January. 

Will the EPA crack down on pollution from buildings? 
Publication Date: August 23, 2022 | Source: Grist 

• Why This Matters: To date, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has largely ignored the emissions of consumer appliances in homes and businesses, which are responsible for about 10 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Now, 26 environmental and public health groups are petitioning the agency to phase out fossil-fuel burning heaters. It is a good time for institutions to move away from such heaters if their campuses still use them. 

INDIVIDUAL STATES
CALIFORNIA
California Approves a Wave of Aggressive New Climate Measures
Publication Date: September 1, 2022 | Source: NY Times  

• Why This Matters: California is investing a record $54 billion in climate programs, including $6.1 billion for electric vehicles, $14.8 billion for transit and rail projects, $8 billion to clean up the electric grid, and $2.8 billion in water funding. The new bills also include sharp restrictions on oil and gas drilling, and solidify the state's position as the national leader on climate change. 

What to Know about California's Ban on New Gasoline-Powered Cars 
Publication Date: August 29, 2022 | Source: NY Times  

• Why This Matters: Last month, California regulators approved an ambitious plan to phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles in the state. By 2035, all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the state must be electric vehicles or other emissions-free models. The adoption of these clean car laws serves as an important signal for colleges and universities to work toward electrifying their fleets. 

HAWAII
Hawaii just got rid of coal power for good
Publication Date: August 22, 2022 | Source: Canary Media 

• Why This Matters: Hawaii is becoming the first state in the U.S. to completely eliminate the use of coal in Hawaii for electricity production, following the directive of a 2020 law. The next priority is workforce transition and ensuring that the state's coal workers are being retrained into new positions. 

ILLINOIS
Department of Energy looks to Illinois to lead on low-income community solar
Publication Date: August 18, 2022 | Source: Energy News Network 

• Why This Matters: Illinois is one of five states where the U.S. Department of Energy is piloting a program to expand community solar by allowing customers who have already been approved for bill assistance through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to be integrated into community programs, thereby reducing bureaucratic barriers that have existed to date. 

KANSAS
Evergy, regulators clash over costs of Kansas energy efficiency program
Publication Date: August 23, 2022 | Source: Kansas Reflector 

• Why This Matters: As it currently stands, Kansas has almost no energy efficiency programs, but Evergy, the state's largest electric company, could soon receive approval for more than $96 million in energy efficiency programs. The company currently has similar programs in Missouri, and the Kansas proposal is estimated to save enough energy to power 39,000 homes. The adoption of such an energy efficiency program will reduce costs for colleges and universities in the state. 

MASSACHUSETTS
Mass. enacts sweeping climate and energy law
Publication Date: August 12, 2022 | Source: E&E News 

• Why This Matters: Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed some of the nation's most aggressive restrictions on fossil fuels into law. The law includes new incentives for offshore wind and solar, rebates for electric cars and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and a requirement that all new public transit vehicles be zero-emissions by 2030. 

Opportunities to Participate 

WEBINAR 
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Passed; What Does That Mean for the Higher Education Sector?
Wednesday, September 28th | 3pm ET
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) represents the largest investment in climate solutions in our nation’s history. The institutions in the Climate Leadership Network, and many other higher education institutions who are committed to climate action, have good reason to celebrate this transformative bill. But as with most large pieces of federal legislation, it is difficult to discern the specific ways the higher education sector will benefit from, be impacted by, and can mobilize activity around, the IRA. This webinar will present the major elements of the legislation, and discuss the ways they directly connect with the higher education sector.  

Please join us, RMI, and America Is All In (AIAI) for this important webinar. 

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. 

STATE
CALIFORNIA
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the Clean Cars II standard late last month, which requires 100% of new vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2035 and reduce criteria and GHG emissions from new light- and medium-duty vehicles beyond the 2025 model year.  A number of states, including Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington State, are expected to adopt this standard in the coming years. 

How to support this effort: Ceres, a Second Nature partner, is coordinating a multi-state sign-on letter to support these clean car standards. If your institution is interested in signing on in support of Clean Cars II, please contact Ceres' Dave Robba (drobba@ceres.org). 

MINNESOTA
Businesses and other institutions in Minnesota are reaching out to the Governor to express support for the state's economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050, and to ask that the state's Climate Change Sub-cabinet identify policies and strategies that put Minnesota back on track to meet or exceed its climate goals. The state has fallen short of meeting its interim goal of 15% greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions by 2015, and is not on track to meet its 2025 goals of 30%. Thus, colleges and universities have the opportunity to advocate for additional actions to be taken. 

How to support this effort: Ceres is coordinating a sign-on letter addressed to the Governor, members of the Climate Change Sub-cabinet, and the Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change. Higher education institutions are encouraged to sign the letter to signal their support for more ambitious climate action in Minnesota. Please reach out to Ceres' Deana Dennis (ddenis@ceres.org) by September 13th if your institution is interested. 

The states and updates included in each Monthly Policy Update are based on what we are recommending for reading for that month, due to what we view as being directly relevant to higher education.  From month to month, the states focused on are due to change.  

Do you have feedback on our Monthly Policy Updates (what you like, what you would like to see improved, etc)?  Please email us: policyteam@secondnature.org.  

Note: 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 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.  Our Policy Updates may, or may not, include these states (and Washington, D.C.).