Monthly Policy Update | October 2021  

Need to Know

AMERICA IS ALL IN (AIAI) REPORT
 - AIAI, a coalition that Second Nature and many of you are a part of, recently released their, Blueprint 2030​: An All-In Climate Strategy for Faster, More Durable Emissions Reductions report, which focuses on an "all-society" approach to accomplish the goal of 52% emissions reduction by 2030.  

The report specifically noted that there are several key things higher education institutions can do to play a role in this decarbonization, including electrifying their own fleets, investing in research and development to support emerging technologies, educating students on the impacts of climate change, and transitioning to renewable energy on their own campuses, among dozens of other critical actions.  Read the Report. . .

GLOBAL
 - Only one country in the world is currently on track to meet the emission-reduction goals of the Paris Agreement - The Gambia.  More . . .

 - A World Bank report released last month warns that climate change could displace 216 million people by 2050.  More . . .

 - Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to end overseas finance for building new power plants and increase support for clean energy in developing countries.  More . . .

 - The World Health Organization published an update to its air quality guidelines, and adhering to these guidelines could save millions of lives, the organization said.  More . . .

FEDERAL 
 - A broad coalition of more than 350 organizations is pushing Congress to make a key solar incentive more accessible to low-income communities and communities of color.  More . . .

 - Momentum for a Civilian Climate Corps is growing in Capitol Hill, with nearly a dozen bills introduced related to the expansion of national service in order to address climate change.  More . . .

 - The US and European Union (EU) announced a joint pledge targeting a 30% reduction in methane emissions by 2030, and are now looking for other countries to sign on.  More . . . 

- After a historically hot summer, the White House is creating the first-ever heat standards for workers.  More . . .

 - The EPA issued a landmark climate rule that will phase down US production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that are commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.  More . . .

MULTIPLE STATES
 - Three of the five states with the most electric vehicles don’t have a zero-emissions vehicle mandate: Florida, Texas, and Washington.  More . . .

INDIVIDUAL STATES
ARIZONA
 - Climate change is threatening Arizona’s alfalfa crop, which serves as critical feed for the region’s dairy industry.  More . . .

CALIFORNIA
 - Governor Gavin Newsom commits $15 billion to combat wildfire, drought, and climate change.  More . . .

COLORADO
 - The state of Colorado is launching a Climate Corps that will increase awareness of climate change, provide resources to marginalized communities, conduct energy and water weatherization, and improve the resiliency of public lands.  More . . .

ILLINOIS
 - Illinois has enacted one of the nation’s most ambitious state clean energy plans, becoming the first major coal-producing state to commit to going carbon-free.  More . . .

MASSACHUSETTS
 - Governor Charlie Baker is creating a first-of-its-kind Commission on Clean Heat, which will work to ramp up home conversions using emission caps and financial incentives.  More . . .

MINNESOTA
 - The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has fined Enbridge $3.32 million for failing to follow environmental laws during the construction of its Line 3 oil pipeline replacement.  More . . .

OHIO
 - Ohio Democrats propose legislation that would require 100% clean energy by 2050 and incentivize wind and solar projects.  More . . .

 - A proposed Ohio law would exempt further loosen lax regulations for oil and gas de-icing.  More . . .

PENNSYLVANIA
- Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf released a climate plan to cut the state’s emissions by 80% by 2050, focusing on increasing building efficiency, transitioning away from oil and gas, and reducing driving.  More . . .

Opportunities to Participate

ALL - Happening Tomorrow
If you are interested in learning more about the America Is All In report noted at the top of this email, tomorrow, Friday, October 15th at 12pm EDT, the authors of the report will be presenting on the report findings and doing a Q&A at a virtual conference.  You can register for the conference here.  
 

Sources:
America Is All In.  (2021).  Stronger Together: An All-In Climate Strategy for Faster, More Durable Emissions Reductions.  By K. Kennedy, W. Jaglom, N. Hultman, E. Bridgewater, R. Mendell, H. Leslie-Bole, L. Rowland, E. McGlynn, T. Massey-Green, T. Cyrs, L. Clarke, H. McJean, A. Zhao, J. O'Neill, R. Gasper, J. Feldmann, K. O'Keefe, S. Kennedy, J. Zhao, and H. Kazanecki.  Published by America Is All In.  Available at: https://www.americaisallin.com/blueprint-2030. 

Beals, M.  (2021, September 13).  Climate change could spark migration of 216M people: World Bank.  The Hill.  URL. 

Beaman, J.  (2021, September 15).  US and EU seeking partners in joint pledge targeting 30% cut in methane emissions by 2030.  Washington Examiner.  URL. Birjer, D.  (2021, September 10).  Colorado Climate Corps launched.  Fox21News.  URL. 

Borenstein, Seth.  (2021, September 15).  Report: Most nations fall far short in plans to curb warming.  Associated Press.  URL. 

Brooker, J.  (2021, September 15).  Illinois signs landmark clean energy law.  Grist.  URL. 

Commonwealth Staff.  (2021, September 23).  Baker clean heat commission faces time squeeze.  Commonwealth Magazine.  URL. 

Edelstein, S.  (2021, September 8).  Three of the five US state with the most EVs didn't have a mandate for them.  Green Car Reports.  URL. 

German, B.  (2021, September 13).  A new residential solar push with a justice focus.  Axios.  URL. 

German, B.  (2021, September 21).  China vows end to building coal-fired power plants abroad.  Axios.  URL. 

Kasler, K.  (2021, September 21).  Lawmakers Propose New Renewable Energy Standards, Streamlining Clean Energy Projects and Investing in 'Energy Rooted in Equity'.  WKSU.  URL. 

Kowlaski, K.  (2021, September 9).  Ohio bills call for a ‘radioactive subsidy’ for one company’s oil and gas byproduct, critics say.  Energy News Network.  URL.

Kummer, F.  (2021, September 22).  Pa. releases climate action plan to lower greenhouse gas emissions.  The Philadelphia Inquirer.  URL.    

Lozano, A.V. and the Associated Press.  (2021, September 23).  California Gov. Newsom commits $15B to combat wildfire, drought and climate change.  NBC News.  URL. 

McKenna, P.  (2021, September 27).  EPA Targets Potent Greenhouse Gases, Bringing US Into Compliance With the Kigali Amendment.  Inside Climate News.  URL. 

Moran, G.  (2021, September 15).  Could Climate Change Put an End to Arizona’s Alfalfa Heyday?  Civil Eats.  URL. 

Pontecorvo, E.  (2021, September 21).  Biden may be the first president to take the risks of extreme heat seriously.   Grist.  URL. 

Reuters.  (2021, September 16).  Enbridge fined $3.32 mln for failings in Line 3 replacement project.  Reuters.  URL. 

Ross, M. & Bateman, N.  (2021, September 25).  Biden and Congress should go big on a Civilian Climate Corps to restore the environment and provide good jobs.  Brookings.  URL.  

Winters, J. & Teirstein, Z.  (2021, September 22).  The World Health Organization’s new air quality guidelines ‘could save millions of lives’.  Grist.  URL. 

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 our 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.  

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 states (plus Washington, D.C.) - from month to month.