Monthly Policy Update |

February 2022  

Need to Know

FEDERAL
The America COMPETES Act, which passed the House last week, includes a number of climate provisions, including funding for research and development (R&D) programs to pursue new clean energy technology. More. . . 
Why This Matters: Universities will be eligible to apply for this R&D funding, provided that these climate solutions pass the Senate version as well. 

In his first year of office, President Biden invested in environmental justice communities in a number of ways, including by ensuring that 40% of overall benefits in investments go to underserved communities, establishing the First-Ever White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, and building a climate and economic justice screening tool, among other things. More . . . 
Why This Matters: Biden’s first year likely marks the most ambitious environmental justice agenda ever taken by an Administration, and because of it, communities across the country will benefit from investments in clean drinking water and enjoy improved air quality.

A federal court rules the Biden administration isn’t taking the climate crisis seriously, revoking more than 80 acres of oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico that the Biden administration has already approved. More . . . 
Why This Matters: The court stated the administration didn't adequately consider the effects on greenhouse gas emissions from drilling activity in the Gulf of Mexico. This decision potentially sets legal precedent for the justice system to hold institutions accountable for their impact on climate change as well.  

Biden officials push to hold up the U.S. Postal Service’s plan to spend $11.3 billion on new gas-powered delivery trucks, citing climate damage. More . . .
Why This Matters: The administration's pushback signals its belief there is no long-term place for gas-powered trucks and cars, sending a strong message to all sectors to begin making the shift toward electric fleets if they have not already. Higher education has the opportunity to lead on this front, and many institutions have already begun to make this transition. 

MULTIPLE STATES
A new report highlights that new state laws passed all over the country in 2021 promote energy savings, encourage switching from fossil fuels to clean electricity in buildings and transportation, and advance equity along the way. More . . . 
Why This Matters: The report shows that energy efficiency is a key resource in many states, with utilities spending approximately $7.6 billion nationally in 2020 for efficiency programs nationwide and saving 26.6 million Mwh of electricity. Higher education institutions can take advantage of these new incentives to reduce costs and their emissions at the same time.

State legislatures are taking up bills related to electric vehicles at an unprecedented rate, considering legislation that will expand consumer incentives, electrify state fleets, or mandate charging stations in new buildings. More . . . 
Why This Matters: This legislative trend signals that states recognize the upcoming rise of electric vehicles and want to ensure that the incentives and infrastructure is there. It should be reason for higher education institutions to electrify their fleets. 

INDIVIDUAL STATES
CALIFORNIA
A coalition of environmental and tribal groups today submitted comments to the Sites on the controversial Sites Reservoir project. More . . .
Why This Matters: Indigenous communities across the country are speaking up against construction projects that exacerbate the climate crisis and threaten their sovereignty, an effort that higher education institutions should be aware of given rising discussions around Indigenous land acknowledgements in higher education. 

MASSACHUSETTS
The Baker Administration promised to update building code standards by fall, but failed to deliver, meaning that dozens of MA cities and towns are unable to go fossil-free in their building construction. More . . .  
Why This Matters: The state's new climate legislation had mandated this building code, and its delay is an important reminder that the passage of a law doesn't always guarantee its implementation. It's in institutions' interest that states update these codes and make electrifying buildings a more feasible process. 

RHODE ISLAND
Governor Dan McKee proposed spending more than $150 million during the next fiscal year to address the threat of climate change. More . . . 
Why This Matters: The plan includes spending $23 million to expand the state’s network of electric vehicle charging stations, and $37 million to reduce the costs of installing efficient electric heat pumps. This proposed legislation will support decarbonization efforts at RI institutions, and is also indicative of the type of incentives and spending that states across the Northeast are engaging with. 

CITIES
BALTIMORE
The City of Baltimore is suing BP, ExxonMobil, and 24 other oil companies, arguing the case that state court should seek damages for the costs of dealing with climate change effects such as sea-level rise and flooding. More . . . 
Why This Matters: It's noteworthy that a municipality is taking legal action in its own hands in the way that Baltimore is, and it's also a sign that private entities are increasingly facing accountability for their role in exacerbating the climate crisis. 

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. 

CALIFORNIA 
California is considering two regulations that could decarbonize transportation, its biggest source of emissions, across states: the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule and Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) II. With no equivalent federal policy for zero-emission vehicles at this time, expeditious and ambitious state action is imperative. More . . . 

How to support this effort: Ceres, a Second Nature partner, is coordinating sign-on letters to encourage ambitious ACF and ACC II rules and support adoption in other states. If your institution is interested in signing on to support this, the deadline to do so is March 18th.

MARYLAND
Legislation introduced in both the State House and State Senate would require net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, while also increasing capital investment in high performance state, county, K-12 public schools, and higher education facilities. More . . . 

How to support this effort: Ceres has drafted a sign-on letter in support of Maryland adopting net-zero gas emissions by 2045. If your institution is interested in signing on to support this, please reach out to Ceres's Dave Robba at drobba@ceres.org by February 25th. 

MICHIGAN
In January, Governor Whitmer released a draft climate action plan for public comment. The draft Plan was informed by public input and recommendations of the Governor’s Council on Climate Solutions and seeks to put Michigan on a path to achieve its goal of economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050. Ceres drafted a sign-on letter in support of the Plan, and in support of climate action in Michigan in general.  ​​​​​​

How to support this effort: Higher education institutions who are interested in signing onto the letter, should email Deana Dennis (ddennis@ceres.org) by February 25th. 

Sources:

Bacher, D. (2022, February 1). Environmental and tribal coalition files comments on Sites Reservoir after disastrous year for fish. Red Green and Blue. URL. 

Berg, W., Cooper, E., & DiMascio, M. (2022, February 6). State Energy Efficiency Scorecard: 2021 Progress Report. American Council for Energy-Efficiency Economy. URL.

Breunig, J. (2022, January 19). Governor lays out climate change plan for Rhode Island. New Haven Register. URL. 

Brown, A. (2022, January 26). Electric Vehicles Charge Ahead in States. Pew Research. URL. 

Clark, L. (2022, January 24). Baltimore, Big Oil to square off tomorrow in court. E&E News ClimateWire. URL. 

Fleming, L. (2022, January 19). Whitmer releases draft climate plan to make Michigan carbon neutral by 2050. The Detroit News. URL. 

House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. (2022, February 3). America Competes Act of 2022 Climate-Related Provisions. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. URL. 

Phillips, A. & Bogage, J. (2022, February 2). Biden officials push to hold up $11.3 billion USPS truck contract, citing climate damage. Washington Post. URL. 

Shankman, S. (2022, January 18). All around Massachusetts, cities and towns want to go fossil fuel free. Here’s why. Boston Globe. URL.

The White House. (2022, January 26). Fact Sheet: A Year Advancing Environmental Justice. The White House. URL. 

Vaillancourt, W. (2022, January 28). Federal Court Rules Biden Isn’t Taking the Climate Crisis Seriously. Rolling Stone. URL.

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.).