Climate efforts will not be stopped in Congress

People are worried that the U.S. will backslide on progress regarding climate. However, many positive efforts will not be stopped.

Energy is now more cheaply produced via wind and solar than with coal. Companies are losing interest in building more fossil fuel infrastructure.

The House Conservative Climate Caucus, founded by Rep. John Curtis in 2021, now boasts 84 members. Iowa’s Rep. Miller-Meeks is the current chair. She is one of 18 Republican House members who have signed a letter urging that the climate provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act be left in place. Reps. Hinson, Nunn and Feenstra can be asked to join this caucus.

Permitting reform is needed to allow transmission lines and renewable energy to come online more quickly. This has bipartisan support. It can be done by streamlining the process, without sacrificing historic and environmental concerns. The Energy Permitting Reform Act, S. 4753, is in the Senate. Sens. Ernst and Grassley can be encouraged to support it in the lame duck session. Studies have shown that when enacted, it will reduce carbon pollution.

Private companies are innovating in the clean energy world. You can learn about these efforts via the podcast VOLTS. You can also join Citizens’ Climate Lobby, cclusa.org, with 1760 members in Iowa. CCL makes it easy to contact your congresspersons on climate. Action helps.

Lyle Otte

Decorah