Hill Heat

Meeting has been postponed. Meeting will be rescheduled for a later date.

Hearing page

Hearing page

Witnesses

Panel I

• Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Panel II

• Kristina Keenan, Associate Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Shane Liermann, Deputy National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans
• Christopher Slawinski, National Executive Director, Fleet Reserve Association

On Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. ET, in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building and Cisco WebEx, the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife will hold a legislative hearing on the following bills:

• H.R. 6427 (Rep. Mike Johnson, R-LA) To amend the Red River National Wildlife Refuge Act to modify the boundary of the Red River National Wildlife Refuge, and for other purposes. Red River National Wildlife Refuge Boundary Modification Act.
• H.R. 6734 (Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY) A bill to amend the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to reauthorize the volunteer services, community partnership, and refuge education programs of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and for other purposes. Keep America’s Refuges Operational Act of 2022.
• H.R. 7025 (Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-AZ) To prohibit the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service from funding entities that commit, fund, or support gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, and for other purposes. Advancing Human Rights-Centered International Conservation Act of 2022.

Climate change, rapid advances in technology and the drive for innovation are leading to a big shift in the world of automobiles.

The Biden Administration has set a target that by 2030, half of new passenger vehicle sales will be zero-emissions, making electric vehicles a norm rather than an exception. And smart, autonomous vehicles powered by AI could further transform driving culture.

As batteries, chips and electric charging stations become more vital, how can we design an infrastructure framework with sustainability in mind? What new skills will the workforce need to develop? How do we make electric vehicles affordable and accessible to all drivers? And can autonomous vehicles pave the way to safer roads?

RSVP

Speakers:

• Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), Commerce, Science & Transportation Subcmte. on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports
• Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), Republican Leader, Energy & Commerce Subcmte. on Communications & Technology
• Everette Bacon, Member, Board of Directors, National Federation of the Blind
• Marc Bedard, CEO, Lion Electric
• Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety
• Eric Danko, Director, Federal Affairs, Cruise
• Toks Omishakin, Director, California Department of Transportation
• Trevor Pawl, Chief Mobility Officer, State of Michigan
• Jessika Trancik, Professor, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Cathy Zoi, CEO, EVgo

The 11th annual American Climate Leadership Summit 2022 (ACLS 2022) brings together world class speakers and diverse national and local leaders for four days of sharing and collaboration. It is the only national convening exclusively dedicated to building broad public support and political resolve for climate action. ACLS 2022 welcomes climate leaders of all levels–particularly those who are new and active at the local level. Join thousands of leaders like you who seek new connections and practical and immediately actionable guidance for engaging everyone, every day for just and equitable climate solutions.

Day One | Day Two | Day Three | Day Four

11:00 AM-11:10 AM

Summit Welcome + Opening Keynote

• Meighen Speiser, Executive Director, ecoAmerica
• Vanessa Hauc, News Anchor; Director, Telemundo Network News; Telemundo News Planeta Tierra
• Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator (D-RI)

11:10 AM-11:25 AM

Futures Not Freeways: Portland Youth Fighting for Transportation + Climate Justice

• Adah Crandall, Organizer, Sunrise PDX

11:25 AM-12:00 PM

Be a Climate Superhero

Margaret Mead’s famous quote “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has” rings exponentially true for climate action. Each of us has the power to influence others in our lives. America needs all of us, including you, to help bring others around us toward solutions. You can be a climate superhero! Hear from leaders who prove that one person can be the change we want to see in the world (and for our climate).

• Benjamin Franta, JD, PhD, PhD Candidate, History of Science, Stanford University
• LaTisha Harris, Community Organizer, Mothers Out Front
• Kat Lockwood, Associate Organizing Director, NARAL Pro-Choice America

12:05 PM-12:15 PM

Local Action, National Purpose Spotlight; Personal: Family + Friends

There is so much we can do to be part of the solution on climate change, in our daily lives and with friends and family. In this session, hear about how you can make climate solutions a kitchen table issue, featuring Georges C. Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, American Public Health Association, interviewed by Leyla McCurdy, MPhil, Chair, Climate for Health Leadership Circle Executive Committee.

• Georges C. Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, American Public Health Association
• Leyla McCurdy, MPhil, Chair, Climate for Health Leadership Circle Executive Committee

12:17 PM-12:29 PM

Local Action, National Purpose Spotlight; Organization: Workplace + Beyond

There is so much we can do to be part of the solution on climate change, including in our daily lives. In this session, hear about what you can do to lead on climate in your place of worship, featuring Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Special Advisor on Climate Justice to UCC Minister + President, United Church of Christ, interviewed by Carol Devine, Director, Blessed Tomorrow.

• Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Special Advisor on Climate Justice to UCC Minister and President, United Church of Christ
• Rev. Carol Devine, Director, Blessed Tomorrow, ecoAmerica

12:30 PM-12:40 PM

Local Action, National Purpose Spotlight; Community

There is so much we can do to be part of the solution on climate change, including in our daily lives and right in our own communities. In this session, hear about what you can do to lead on climate in your city or town, featuring Ana Puszkin-Chevlin, PhD of the Growing Climate Solutions: Path to Positive SWFL, interviewed by Deneine Powell, Director of Path to Positive Communities.

• Deneine Powell, Director, Path to Positive Communities, ecoAmerica
• Ana Puszkin-Chevlin, PhD, Regional Director, Growing Climate Solutions: Path to Positive SWFL

12:45 PM-12:55 PM

Conservation Ranching: Grazing Our Way to a Better Climate

Grasslands are important carbon sinks but are threatened by development and a changing climate. There is a natural solution here, however, one that keeps them working as part of America’s breadbasket, but also brings out their best in response to the biodiversity and climate crises. Through its Conservation Ranching Initiative, the National Audubon Society supports ranchers to protect and improve habitat, while also connecting consumers to this important conservation work through the marketplace. These diverse grasslands become more resilient, better equipped to withstand extreme weather events. Join and learn how Audubon and America’s ranchers are working hand-in-glove across millions of acres.

• Melinda Cep, Vice President, Natural Solutions + Working Lands, National Audubon Society
• Doniga Markegard, Regenerative Rancher + Author, Markegard Family Grass-Fed

12:55 PM-01:05 PM

Farming in Emerging Economies: Ag-Weather Intelligence for a Changing Climate Adapting to the impacts of the changing weather starts with information. Digital Climate Advisor Services (DCAS) are scalable, location and crop specific advisories provided in-time to help small-scale producers adapt to the changing climate. Hear from an agricultural climatologist on how this technology is providing improved food security and nutrition.

• John Corbett, PhD, Sr. Advisor Agricultural Climatology, TomorrowNow.org

01:05 PM-01:15 PM

Conservatives, Conservation, Climate

• Erin Heskett, Vice President of Conservation Initiatives, Land Trust Alliance

01:20 PM-01:40 PM

Overcoming Climate Disasters

​​Climate change is increasing the severity and likelihood of major storms. From raging wildfires in the Western United States to stronger hurricanes hitting the coasts, Americans are feeling and seeing the impacts of a warmer world. Samantha Montano, PhD discusses the ways in which we can better prepare for climate disasters and support those impacted.

• Lisa Renstrom, President, Threshold Foundation
• Samantha Montano, PhD, Assistant Professor, Massachusetts Maritime Academy

01:45 PM-02:15 PM

Local News, National News, or Is it News? Covering climate in the media. Discussion on how climate change is being covered in the media, and the prospects for more productive coverage in 2022.

• Louis Aguirre, News Anchor/Environmental Advocate, WPLG TV 10/Berkshire Hathaway
• Mark Hertsgaard, Executive Director, Covering Climate Now
• Vanessa Hauc, News Anchor; Director, Telemundo Network News; Telemundo News Planeta Tierra
• Bonnie Schneider, Meteorologist/Author, “TAKING THE HEAT”

02:15 PM-02:35 PM

Plastic-Free Futures: Education as the Path to Climate Justice

Plastic pollution is a planetary crisis, intersecting with climate and justice. Educating a wide audience about the connections between climate, environmental justice, and plastic pollution is key to creating the plastic free, healthy, just, equitable, and regenerative future we need for humanity to survive. In this panel discussion, hear from three leaders who are working at the frontlines to inspire action.

• Yvette Arellano, Founder, Fenceline Watch
• Sharon Lavigne, Founder, Rise St. James
• Lauren Ritchie, Founder, The EcoJustice Project

02:35 PM-03:15 PM

Youth and Truth to Power

Youth continue to be forces to reckon with for climate justice and action. Youth leaders will be speaking about the prospects for climate action in 2022, and how we all can be allies for the youth climate movement.

• Aniya Butler, Hip Hop + Climate Justice Coordinator, Youth Vs Apocalypse
• Hannah Estrada, Education + Organizing Coordinator, Youth Vs Apocalypse
• Jerome Foster II, Executive Director + Founder, OneMillionOfUs
• Alexandria Villaseñor, Climate Activist + Executive Director, Earth Uprising

03:15 PM-03:45 PM

Target 2022: Policy, Politics, Prospects + Priorities

We can solve climate change, but we need to act now. Governments, policymakers, and advocates have made amazing progress over the past decade on the science, technologies, and policies we need. In fact, we’re in a better position now to solve climate change than ever before. Hear from leaders working to move ambitious and just climate action forward in 2022, and what we can all do to help build the public support and political will needed for a healthy, safer, and prosperous future.

• Mandela Barnes, Lieutenant Governor, State of Wisconsin
• Sean Casten, Congressman (IL-06), US House of Representatives
• Phil Sharp, Board Chair, ecoAmerica
• Paul Tonko, Congressman (NY-20), US House of Representatives

03:45 PM-04:00 PM

Committing to Climate Action + Closing

• Bob Perkowitz, Founder + President, ecoAmerica
• Meighen Speiser, Executive Director, ecoAmerica

The Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change of the Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a hybrid hearing that includes both in-person and remote attendance on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. This hearing will take place in the John D. Dingell Room, 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building, as well as remotely using Cisco Webex online video conferencing. The hearing is entitled, “Trusting the Tap: Upgrading America’s Drinking Water Infrastructure.”

Hearing memorandum

Witnesses

• Erik D. Olson, Senior Strategic Director for Health & Food, Natural Resources Defense Council
• Lori J. Mathieu, Public Health Branch Chief, Environmental Health & Drinking Water Branch, Connecticut Department of Public Health, President, Association of Drinking Water Administrators
• Kareem Adeem, Director of Water and Sewer Utilities, The City of Newark, NJ
• Richard Diaz, Midwest Regional Field Organizer, BlueGreen Alliance
• Jim McGoff, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Environmental Programs, Indiana Finance Authority, On behalf of Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities

Hearing page

Witnesses

PANEL 1

• Jennifer Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
• Terry Cosby, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington, D.C.

PANEL 2

• Laura Batcha, Chief Executive Officer, Organic Trade Association, Washington, D.C.
• Brie Reiter Smith, Vice President of Product Leadership, Driscoll’s, Inc., on behalf of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, Watsonville, CA
• Marc Oshima, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer, AeroFarms, Newark, NJ
• Nate Olive, Owner, Ridge to Reef Farm, and President, Virgin Islands Farmers Alliance, Inc., St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
• Bruce Kettler, Director, Indiana State Department of Agriculture, on behalf of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, Indianapolis, Indiana

The purpose of the hearing is to examine the strategic importance of the Freely Associated States to the United States and our allies in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Compacts of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Witnesses

• Mark Lambert, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State
• Dr. Siddharth Mohandas, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia, Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense
• Keone Nakoa, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Insular and International Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior

Hearing page

Witness

• Phyllis Fong, Inspector General, USDA

On Tuesday, March 29 at 10:00 am ET, the House Budget Committee will hold a hearing on the President’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget. The Hon. Shalanda Young, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), will testify.

Witness:

• Shalanda Young, Director, Office of Management and Budget (OMB)