Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI)
Science & Ideas
About
EESI is best known for its non-partisan Congressional briefings on key energy and environmental issues. Topics include climate change, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Learn more at www.eesi.org/briefings http://www.eesi.org/briefings.
Episodes
- Rapid Readout: Implications of the U.S. Forest Service Reorganization
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) hosted a discussion on the reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service, including a proposed relocation of its headquarters to Salt Lake City and the elimination of research labs. The sessi…
- Policies and Financing Solutions to Modernize U.S. Water Infrastructure
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and American Rivers convened a briefing on critical U.S. water infrastructure challenges and financing solutions. Panelists addressed issues like aging systems and extreme weather, presen…
- Tracking Down Data
A briefing discussed the importance of publicly-available U.S. weather and climate data for the economy, public safety, and business operations. Panelists addressed the removal or archiving of federal datasets and websites, and how univers…
- Strategies to Lower Utility Bills Now for Households and Small Businesses
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) discussed practical strategies for lowering utility bills for households and small businesses. Experts highlighted energy efficiency upgrades, such a…
- Igniting Innovation: Progress and a Path Forward for Wildfire Policy
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) hosted a briefing on wildfire policy, highlighting emerging solutions and federal strategies to address the growing wildfire crisis exacerbated by climate change and land management pract…
- Understanding Load Growth and Energy Affordability
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) held a briefing on commonsense technologies and solutions to keep energy costs low and meet rising demand. The rapid growth in energ…
- Rapid Readout: Frozen Infrastructure Winter Storm Impacts on Communities and the Power Grid
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 bu…
- Powering the Economy: Generation Innovation, Grid Optimization, and Energy Efficiency
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, s…
- Where Key Clean Energy Tax Credits Stand
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 e…
- Rapid Readout: What Congress Needs to Know About COP30: Outcomes and What’s Next
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…
- International Trade and Climate Policy
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 secon…
- Keeping it Cool: International Efforts to Reduce Emissions from Refrigerants
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 conditi…
- What’s on the Table for the Negotiations | What Congress Needs to Know About COP30
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 w…
- Rapid Readout: The Future of FEMA
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 p…
- How Can We Cut Industrial Emissions?
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 an…
- Powering Up: Improving Energy Grid Reliability and Resilience to Lower Energy Bills
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 acti…
- Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Energy and the Environment
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing discussing the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change in federal policy-making. While AI can aid in climate resilience and boost economic competit…
- The Ohio River
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Ohio River Basin Alliance held a briefing outlining how policymakers and community stakeholders can help restore the health of the Ohio River. The Ohio River is an important drive…
- Beating the Heat: A 2025 Heat Policy Agenda
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Federation of American Scientists held a briefing about how federal policies can bolster resilience to extreme heat at the state and community level. Communities are experiencing…
- Shifting Gears: Policies for a More Sustainable Highway System
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing focused on the past, present, and future of the U.S. highway system. Since the end of World War II, Congress has paved the way for thousands of miles of roadways to connec…
- Like Trains? Then Choo-Choose to Learn About Federal Rail Policy
Railways play a key role in American transportation and commerce, moving 28% of U.S. goods and tens of thousands of people across the country every day. The United States boasts 140,000 miles of freight rail lines underpinning an $80 billi…
- Rapid Readout: The Latest on Budget Reconciliation
Welcome to a new twist on the typical EESI Congressional briefing: EESI Rapid Readouts! Things are happening faster than ever, and you need information quickly. These 30-minute interactive Readouts bring you what you need to know, when you…
- Rapid Readout: Benefits of ENERGY STAR
Welcome to a new twist on the typical EESI Congressional briefing: EESI Rapid Readouts! Things are happening faster than ever, and you need information quickly. These 30-minute, interactive Readouts will bring you what you need to know, wh…
- Risky Business: Insurance in the Era of Climate Change
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about Congress’s role in bolstering the long-term resilience, investability, and insurability of U.S. communities. Insurance premiums have increased by an average of 21% s…
- Towards Healthier Outcomes in Surface Transportation
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), the American Public Health Association, and Transportation for America held a briefing about the public health implications of transportation policy. As Congress embarks on the surface t…
- 2025 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook
Hosted in coordination with the House and Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucuses and the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Business Council for Sustain…
- The Process and Path Forward for a Bipartisan Surface Transportation Bill
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a start-of-the-new-Congress briefing series, Climate Camp . We reviewed climate science, cutting-edge innovations, and the role of the legislative process in climate mitigation and a…
- The Colorado River
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing highlighting strategies for improving the resilience and restoring the health of the Colorado River and its tributaries. The Colorado River basin serves as an essential so…
- Clean Manufacturing in America
This briefing highlighted the ways in which onshoring the manufacturing of clean energy, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle components increases American competitiveness, secures U.S. supply chains, and creates jobs. According to the…
- Understanding the Budget, Reconciliation, and Appropriations
This briefing explained the processes, rules, and norms that underpin the budget, reconciliation, and appropriations debates happening right now on Capitol Hill. It explored the relationship between the presidential budget, annual appropri…
- Navigating Climate Information for Effective Policy-Making
Ready to make a difference in climate policy, but not sure where to start? We have you covered. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to view our start-of-the-new-Congress briefing series, Climate Camp. We review…
- The Columbia River
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation strategies in the Columbia River basin. The Columbia, which winds through British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington sta…
- The Tennessee River | Resilient and Healthy River Communities Series
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about strategies to improve biodiversity and river health along the Tennessee River, which winds through Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky. The Tennessee River…
- U.S.-China Engagement and International Climate Diplomacy
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about the role of United States-China climate engagement in shaping the progress and outcomes of international climate governance. From critical mineral supply chains to c…
- Methane Mitigation on the Global Stage
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing discussing how nations can collaborate to monitor and mitigate methane emissions to improve air quality and meet emission reduction targets. Methane accounts for 30% of th…
- What’s on the Table for the Negotiations
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about what Congress can expect during the upcoming United Nations climate negotiations in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29). From the opening World Climate Action Summit to the int…
- The Mississippi River
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing that examined the environmental challenges facing the Mississippi River and solutions to address them. Spanning 10 states, the Mississippi plays a key role in tourism, com…
- Funding Opportunities for Nonprofits, Municipalities, and Communities
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing that explored the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding dedicated to nonprofit organizations and municipalities. For exam…
- Exploring the Policy Landscape of Carbon Dioxide Removal
More information at: https://www.eesi.org/091224cdr The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) held a briefing about effective policy-making for carbon dioxide removal (CDR). CDR—the practic…
- Maximizing the Impact of Natural Climate Solutions
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), U.S. Nature4Climate, and the Bipartisan Policy Center held a briefing on natural climate solutions, which leverage natural processes—like those in forests, grasslands, soils, and wetland…
- Cities Leading the Way on Nature-Based Solutions
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about climate solutions from small- and medium-sized cities. Cities around the country are taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate.…
- Dams in Every District: Challenges, Opportunities, and What’s Ahead
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and American Rivers held a briefing to learn about the state of dam infrastructure in the United States. Rivers across the United States are dotted with dams built for various purposes, f…
- Demystifying Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) held a briefing about ocean carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Reaching global climate goals will require not only deep and rapid reductions in greenhou…
- The National Security – Climate Adaptation Nexus
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing on the impacts of climate change on U.S. national security.
- 031424ira_audio
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about the implementation of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in rural America. What programs are uniquely…
- 032124factbook_audio
Hosted in coordination with the House and Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucuses, the Conservative Climate Caucus, and the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) an…
- Understanding the Budget and Appropriations Process
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about the latest presidential budget proposal and the outlook for Congressional appropriations for fiscal year 2025. The briefing described the different stages of the app…
- Innovations in Weather Forecasting for a Changing Climate
A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast (wireless connection permitting) The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing about the latest innovations in weather forecasting and communication t…
- Energy Earthshots: The Frontier of Climate Innovation
A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing about the Department of Energy’s Energy Earthshots, which are designed to rapidly break down market barr…
- Unpacking the Fifth National Climate Assessment
A live webcast will be streamed at www.eesi.org/livecast The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing about the U.S. Global Change Research Program's fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5). NCA5 is the mo…