House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Plans to Introduce a Series of Climate Change Bills Early This Summer

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) plans to introduce a series of climate change bills early this summer based on recommendations made by the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. The package of bills will be the result of a year-long series of Congressional hearings held by the Select Committee. The Select Committee does not have authority to introduce legislation, so the Speaker will work permanent, standing Committees to tackle the climate issues addressed in the report. The House Energy and Commerce Committee, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Natural Resources Committee are all likely to take up the expected legislation.

The package of bills will cover a wide range of climate topics and address concerns surrounding clean energy production and the resilience of U.S. infrastructure, specifically in the face of rising sea levels and sever weather. It has been reported that the expected legislation could also address setbacks to the clean energy sector brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Legislation inline with the Select Committee’s findings has already been introduced. For example, Congressman Donald McEachin (D-VA), a member of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, introduced a bill along with other democratic colleagues back in February aimed at tackling environmental concerns in low-income minority communities brought on by climate change. H.R. 5986, the Environmental Justice for All Act, would “restore, reaffirm, and reconcile environmental justice and civil rights” and “provide for the establishment of the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice Compliance and Enforcement.” This bill may be considered alongside additional legislation introduced in the coming months the address the climate crisis.

ASME will continue to monitor and report on any legislative efforts related to clean energy in the coming months.