No images? Click here Monthly Policy Update | January 2022 Need to KnowFEDERAL In 2021, the Biden Administration restricted fossil fuels foreign aid, instituted a “Buy Clean” policy, reversed Trump era rollback on lighting efficiency standards, and assembled an environmental justice team, among other climate achievements. More . . . INDIVIDUAL STATES CONNECTICUT MICHIGAN NEW YORK
Governor Kathy Hochul announced last week her support for what would be the nation’s first statewide gas ban for new buildings, calling for the state to pass legislation requiring all new buildings to use zero-emissions sources of heat by 2027. More . . . NORTH CAROLINA PENNSYLVANIA CITIES Did You Know?Midwest cities lag behind coastal cities in developing strong renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, though Madison and Minneapolis shine in national clean energy ranking. In general, cities were largely not on track to meet their own greenhouse gas reduction goals. More . . . Opportunities to ParticipateNOTE: 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. Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York have initiated the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) rule making processes to adopt a zero-emission truck regulation. The ACT will require manufacturers to increase model availability to meet the needs of fleet operators and drive investment in clean transportation research and development. More . . . How to support this effort: Ceres, a Second Nature partner, has drafted a sign-on letter in support of ACT that they will be sending to Governors of CA, CT, ME, MA, NJ, and NY. If your institution is interested in signing on, the deadline to do so is February 25th. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ceres's Jenny Helfrich at helfrich@ceres.org. Sources: Frazin, R. (2022, January 4). Manchin expresses openness to climate action amid spending bill stalemate. The Hill. URL. Iaconangelo, D. (2022, January 6). N.Y governor backs nation’s first statewide gas ban. E&E News. URL. Indian Times Staff. (2022, January 6). Five Climate Moves by the Biden Administration You May Have Missed in 2021. URL. Lyderson, K. (2021, December 16). Midwest lags, though Madison and Minneapolis shine in national clean energy policy ranking. Energy News. URL. Michigan State Legislature. (2021, December 8). House Bill No. 5619. Michigan State Legislature. URL. Pontecorvo, E. (2021, December 15). New York City bans gas heating and stoves from new buildings. Grist. URL. Pontecorvo, E. (2021, December 15). How a debate over carbon capture derailed California’s landmark climate bill. Grist. URL. Proudlove, A. (2021, November 24). At the forefront: The biggest state clean energy legislative trends of 2021. Utility dive. URL. Roberts, D. (2021, December 17). Rounding up the year in climate politics. Canary Media. URL. Storrow, B. (2021, November 22). Northeast states abandon cap-and-trade plan for cars. E&E News. URL. Szybist, M. (2022, January 10). NRDC: Governor Wolf Vetoes Anti-RGGI Resolution. NRDC. URL. Ceres Staff. (2021, December). Policy Background Memo: Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) Rule Adoption. Ceres. 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.). |