Gregg Small’s Post

At Newsweek, I discuss why we are better off because of climate leadership by President Biden and Vice President Harris. President Joe Biden has done more than any president in history to address the #climatecrisis and support the growth of safe renewable energy: From renewed participation in world climate talks and commitments, to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's investments in EV infrastructure, cleanups of dirty oil and gas wells, and R&D, to the #IRA's historic, largest-ever investment in the fight against the climate crisis, to the Climate Corps, to the protection of more public land and the crackdown on methane emissions - and much, much more. And Trump has made it crystal clear that he will do his utmost to undo all the climate and environmental progress we've made. We cannot afford to go back. #climate #PresidentBiden #InflationReductionAct https://lnkd.in/g5UEhpvH

It was a great week for climate and communities with federal agencies announcing new regulations and programs that will slash greenhouse gas emissions, speed up clean energy development and reduce hazardous pollution. These steps will help ensure we have a stable climate and clean air and water. Here are just a few of the highlights: First up, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced a new rule for power plant emissions that will help the U.S. meet its goal of 100% clean power by 2035. This will give energy utilities and regulators the certainty they need to plan for and invest in our clean energy future. For us to achieve a clean energy future we need to build a lot more transmission to carry that clean energy to homes and businesses. Currently, that process takes a long time but with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s new transmission program and rules the average time for siting and permitting of new transmission could be cut in half! The EPA made two new announcements that they’re strengthening standards for the toxic waste, heavy metals and mercury emissions from coal power plants. This will provide cleaner air and water for our communities. In another win for communities, EPA announced $7 billion in Solar for All grants that will deliver residential solar power to over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Expanding access to the benefits of clean energy is good for these communities and for us all.

On Election Day, Washington voters decided to uphold the Climate Commitment Act, which will accelerate carbon reductions and the state’s energy transition. This was an important decision for the planet that will also advance Washington’s clean energy economy. For some of the emitters in the state, carbon capture and sequestration will be a key mitigation strategy. With the law affirmed, we look forward to working with partners in Spokane and throughout Washington on the critical work of decarbonizing the infrastructure assets across the Evergreen State. We also encourage the state to set up a robust mineralization and sequestration program that will make use of its unique geology to safely mineralize or store CO2. Read about how voters in Washington and six other states voted in favor of climate action in the 2024 election. https://lnkd.in/e7Ja5AAE

With uncertainty surrounding U.S. climate policy in 2025 and the future of the Paris Agreement uncertain, many leaders are concerned. However, regardless of federal outcomes, strong city and state-level leadership in climate action is likely to continue. State governments like Massachusetts are already demonstrating this leadership. Recently, the state legislature passed a climate bill that includes significant advances, such as establishing the Embodied Carbon Intergovernmental Coordinating Council. This council must develop an embodied carbon reduction plan by July 31, 2025. The plan will address embodied carbon in state building and transportation projects, examine current laws affecting low-embodied carbon materials in the private sector and recommend increased usage, explore approaches to incorporating embodied carbon reductions into state building codes, and consider best practices for incentivizing building material reuse and reducing building demolition. Hopefully, other states will follow Massachusetts' lead in passing progressive climate legislation. https://lnkd.in/ePhRJibr 

The Massachusetts House just took a major step to advance climate legislation this session by voting to pass H.4876, An Act accelerating a responsible, innovative and equitable clean energy transition. "We in Massachusetts have the opportunity to meet our emission goals and unlock our clean energy potential while ensuring that all communities share in the benefits of the net-zero transition. The House has passed thoughtful, targeted legislation that balances our urgent need to build a future-proof electric grid with informed decision-making about equity, land use, and responsiveness to community input" - David Melly, Legislative Director at ELM. ELM thanks Speaker Ronald Mariano, Chair Aaron Michlewitz, and Chair Jeffrey Roy for their dedication to advancing robust legislation and addressing our climate challenges. With less than two weeks until the end of the session, swift work is needed to produce a comprehensive, ambitious final bill. ELM looks forward to continuing to work with bill negotiators in the Legislature to produce consensus legislation that meets the scale and urgency of our statewide environmental challenges. Read more from ELM: https://lnkd.in/eGfvKN3A - - - #MAPoli #MAClimateBill #ClimateBill #CleanEnergy #CleanEnergyEconomy #CleanEnergyPolicy #EnvironmentalPolicy #MassachusettsClimate #MAClimate

Read the article at Canary Media, “California voters pass $10B bond to help protect people from climate change,” by Jeff St. John—November 6, 2024. “California voters appear set to approve a $10 billion bond package to fund key state climate and environmental priorities — a bright spot in what has been a dark election for U.S. climate efforts. Proposition 4 was passing with nearly 58 percent voter approval... That’s a strong result that matches broader polling on U.S. voters’ support for government spending on clean water, clean air, and expanding wind and solar power. ‘These investments are a long time coming — and it’s very encouraging that it had such strong support from the public throughout the process,’ said Ryan Schleeter, communications director at The Climate Center… Passage of the ballot measure also serves as a reminder of the power that states have to take action in the face of federal inaction, said Laura Deehan, state director of nonprofit group Environment California… California’s Proposition 4 is the largest of 12 state and local climate and conservation ballot initiatives passed around the country on Tuesday… Proposition 4 will help build out the clean energy infrastructure needed to reduce carbon emissions causing climate change. It includes $475 million for infrastructure to support offshore wind development at California ports, $325 million for transmission grid projects and deployment of grid-enhancing technologies, and $50 million to fund long-duration energy storage projects…” See the full story below and at this link. https://lnkd.in/eZPmb6A6 #offshorewind #floatingwind #cleanenergy #renewables #climate #offshorewindca #pacificoffshorewindsummit

If you haven't voted yet, now is the time to drop off your ballot or go vote in person! 🗳 It's also important to research your local elected officials and ballot initiatives. In Washington, we have a critical initiative on the ballot that poses a danger to our environment. 📣 Washingtonians, help protect our climate by voting NO on initiative 2117! I-2117 would undo progress made possible through the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). 🌎 🔥 The CCA does a lot for our state. It puts us on the path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050, it funds public transit, expands our state's clean energy, and much more. Vote NO on I-2117 to make ensure that the Evergreen State continues to protect our communities and environment. 🌲 Every vote counts. Vote today and tell your friends and family to do the same! https://lnkd.in/gfiT7BzW

Two new laws, passed off the Senate floor on March 1, just ahead of one of 2024’s last major legislative deadlines, demonstrate a deepening in Washington’s effort against climate change. HB 1589 requires the state’s largest gas utility (Puget Sound Energy) to plan for the transition to clean energy and create electrification programs to transition customers off of its gas system. Secondly, SB 6058 is the first of many steps in linking Washington’s landmark Climate Commitment Act (cap-and-invest) program with the California-Québec program, setting a solid standard for the entire country (and world) to pursue ambitious climate policies and prioritize benefits in historically overburdened communities. https://lnkd.in/gsGhcQiH

Climate policies and regulations will not magically benefit environmental justice communities. Policymakers need to intentionally and meaningfully examine and alter the systems and policies that result in disproportionate burdens, disparities, and injustice in these communities. While the CLCPA is a major step forward, environmental justice stakeholders are concerned that a cap-trade-and-invest program with little to no protections will reinforce existing patterns of pollution and sickness in communities of color and low-income communities. We can’t take any more chances on the quality of life and health of New Yorkers. Guardrails for cap-trade-and-invest are essential to ensuring all communities see the benefits of reduced emissions and pollution and do not come at the expense of some. Thanks to Marie French for her coverage on our research: https://lnkd.in/eF22R7BW

If we get the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) right we can demonstrate they work and feed a virtuous cycle of climate legislation. But the clock is ticking, as I noted to Erin Douglas of the @Boston Globe.