Support for Select Federal Programs that Address Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) urges the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations to maintain or increase funding for climate-related programs in fiscal year 2021. EESI specifically advocates for the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program, and the EPA's ENERGY STAR program, arguing that these initiatives are essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving resilience through nature-based solutions.

• EESI argues that the urgency of climate change necessitates a comprehensive set of coordinated policies and programs rather than a single policy, and requests that the Subcommittee provide at least level funding for these programs in fiscal year 2021.
• The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is described as an indispensable partner for understanding, mitigating, and adapting to climate change, leading EESI to urge the Subcommittee to reject the administration's budget request and provide at least level funding for FY2021.
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program is highlighted as an example of climate mitigation that uses nature-based solutions to provide technical and financial assistance for conservation and habitat restoration to improve coastal ecosystem resilience.
• EESI strongly opposes the administration's proposal to eliminate the ENERGY STAR program via a fee-based structure, noting that the program avoids 290 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually—approximately five percent of total U.S. emissions—and saves users over $30 billion per year. EESI requests $60 million for the program in FY2021.
• EESI advocates for at least level funding for several EPA programs that utilize nature-based solutions to increase resilience and carbon sequestration, including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Green America’s Communities, and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

APA

Bresette, D. (2020). Support for Select Federal Programs that Address Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI-Testimony-Senate-Approps-Interior-033120.pdf

Chicago

Bresette, Daniel. Support for Select Federal Programs that Address Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2020. https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI-Testimony-Senate-Approps-Interior-033120.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Bresette |first1=Daniel |title=Support for Select Federal Programs that Address Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=20 March 2020 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI-Testimony-Senate-Approps-Interior-033120.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{bresette2020support, author = {Bresette, Daniel}, title = {{Support for Select Federal Programs that Address Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation}}, publisher = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2020}, month = mar, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI-Testimony-Senate-Approps-Interior-033120.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }