Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI)

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a Rapid Readout on energy resilience and recovery after Winter Storm Fern in late January. Many on the East Coast and in the South took weeks to dig out from this storm. Homes and businesses in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee were without electricity for more than a week, leaving residents in life-threatening situations. Building on lessons from past devastating winter storms, such as Winter Storm Uri that impacted Texas in February 2021, this Rapid Readout examined Fern's impacts on power grids and potential resilient solutions to help residents weather future storms.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) held a briefing about state-led energy solutions to meet rapidly increasing power demand needed to grow America’s economy, support energy security and resilience, and put downward pressure on electricity costs. 
Attendees heard from State Energy Office leaders about the 11-state Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative, 13-state Geothermal Power Accelerator, hydropower, advanced transmission reconductoring and grid optimization, and energy storage. Panelists discussed energy efficiency solutions that are lowering energy bills for consumers and businesses, and the latest on state energy security initiatives designed to improve reliability and speed the recovery of energy systems following physical, weather, and cyber incidents. Speakers highlighted key federal policies that can help states in their efforts to catalyze energy innovation and address energy affordability.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing on the state of federal clean energy and energy efficiency tax credits. This briefing reviewed how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21) modified or altogether ended 12 key tax credits, including those for electric vehicles, renewables, biofuels, hydrogen, nuclear energy, and energy efficiency. The briefing shared ways companies and consumers are adapting to this new landscape, as well as the short- and long-term implications for the energy industry, developers, and manufacturers. Panelists also explored the outlook for using federal tax policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy bills for households and businesses, and increase resilience to climate impacts while advancing U.S. competitiveness on the global stage.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a Rapid Readout about the major outcomes from this year’s United Nations climate negotiations in Belém, Brazil (COP30). This Readout unpacked where key negotiations landed on issues including next steps on international climate finance, climate adaptation metrics, the intersection of climate and trade, and the implementation of carbon markets. 
The Readout reviewed the status of updated country commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase adaptation efforts and the next steps in the global effort to assess progress towards collective climate goals. Speakers unpacked the U.S. presence at COP30, including federal, subnational, and private sector roles in the proceedings; highlighted next steps following COP30; and explained what it all means for U.S. climate policy.
View the full briefing series at eesi.org/cop30-briefings.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about the nexus of global trade and climate change. International trade is an integral part of the U.S. economy—the United States is the world’s largest importer and second-largest exporter of goods. While trade presents economic opportunities, it also comes at a cost. The global movement of goods via water, air, and land accounts for 20 to 30% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Climate change is also disrupting global supply chains, increasing costs, and damaging vital infrastructure. 
This briefing explored multilateral efforts to reduce trade-related greenhouse gas emissions through the lens of the upcoming international climate negotiations (COP30). Panelists discussed climate-related policies being proposed in the United States and abroad, as well as the broader geopolitical trade environment–including tariffs–impacting these efforts. Speakers also described collaborations in the maritime shipping sector, which accounts for 90% of all goods moved. Attendees left with an understanding of the different ways trade is expected to influence COP30 negotiations as well as opportunities for additional international cooperation that could advance, rather than detract from, global climate goals.
View the full briefing series at eesi.org/cop30-briefings.

Seventy-one countries, including the United States, are part of the Global Cooling Pledge, a commitment initiated at the 2023 U.N. climate summit (COP28) to address the greenhouse gas emissions associated with refrigerators and air conditioning. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing that explored the imperative of reducing these emissions, especially the superpollutant hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), while also ensuring that people are kept safe from the impacts of extreme heat. The Global Cooling Pledge calls for a 68% reduction in emissions by 2050, increased availability of and access to sustainable cooling solutions by 2030, and increased energy efficiency of air conditioners. 
This briefing explored progress made towards these goals—from nature-based and passive cooling to low global warming potential refrigerant technologies. Panelists also discussed the Senate-ratified Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which is phasing down HFCs. The briefing left policymakers with takeaways on what to expect at COP30 related to sustainable cooling and extreme heat as well as the economic and public health benefits of addressing refrigerant emissions domestically.
View the full briefing series at eesi.org/cop30-briefings.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about what Congress can expect during the upcoming United Nations climate negotiations in Belém, Brazil (COP30). Hundreds of negotiating sessions and thousands of events will take place over the course of the two-week U.N. session. Whether traveling to Belém or observing COP30 from D.C., this briefing will guide policymakers on how to engage effectively.
Panelists explained key issues on the negotiating agenda, including determining metrics for climate adaptation and charting the path toward international climate finance goals. The briefing described the role of the COP30 Brazil Presidency and its forest and agriculture priorities, unpacked the evolving role of the United States in this international policy-making process, and highlighted which U.S. stakeholders are expected at COP30—from businesses and nonprofits to state and local governments. It will also preview the realm of possible outcomes from COP30 and what they would mean for U.S. climate policy.
View the full briefing series at eesi.org/cop30-briefings.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a Rapid Readout about the status of reform efforts for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Trump Administration and Congress are considering changes to pre-disaster preparedness, disaster response, and post-disaster recovery. This readout provided background on why FEMA reforms are on the table, unpack how communities could be affected, and outline the most prominent proposal, the bipartisan Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025 (H.R.4669). It also described what has happened to date with the FEMA Review Council, established by Executive Order 14180 in January 2025.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about pathways for industrial decarbonization. Materials like steel, iron, and cement form the backbone of U.S. industry, and have long been a symbol of U.S. innovation and prosperity. The production of these materials, as well as chemicals and plastics, often requires extremely high temperatures typically achieved by burning fossil fuels. The industrial sector is the second-largest greenhouse gas emitter, representing 30% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and is projected to be the largest by 2035. 
This briefing identified opportunities for industrial emissions reductions—such as electrification and material reuse. Panelists also highlighted how key players from the federal government and private sector come together to advance deployable innovations like green steel and carbon-negative concrete. Attendees left with an understanding of industrial decarbonization efforts that also boost American competitiveness and create a more resilient economy and climate.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about policy solutions to meet the reliability, resilience, and affordability challenges facing the U.S. energy grid. The grid underpins modern life—enabling economic activity, supporting national security, and powering everything from basic necessities in homes to critical infrastructure like hospitals and transportation. Today, the grid’s stability is being tested like never before. Aging infrastructure, extreme weather, and unprecedented increases in electricity demand could soon overwhelm generation and transmission capacity and outpace states and utility planners. These challenges hit home, from higher energy bills for consumers to rolling blackouts that leave communities vulnerable during heat waves, wildfires, winter storms, and hurricanes. 
This briefing outlined policy options and technological innovations to address these challenges. Panelists expanded on several aspects of grid modernization, including the buildout of new transmission lines, bringing online new power generation and energy storage capacity, and improving energy efficiency. They also described the state of permitting reform in the 119th Congress. Attendees left this briefing with a better understanding of the imperatives and multiple benefits of an environmentally and economically sustainable energy grid to power the 21st century.