This week's good news from Environment America

From: Environment America <action@environmentamerica.org>
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2020 08:21:47 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Let's start out the week with good news
To: petersexton@alum.mit.edu



Peter,

To turn our vision of a sustainable, healthy society into a reality,
it will take many victories along the way -- both big and small.
That's why I take time each week to look back and celebrate the
progress that may have otherwise been overlooked. Here are a few
pieces I wanted to share with you.

House advances greenest budget in recent memory
The House Appropriations Committee approved funding for a number of
important environmental programs as part of the FY21 funding bill for
the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Interior,
including infrastructure for safer drinking water. The bill also
blocks efforts to open special places like the Arctic Refuge and
Tongass National Forest to drilling and logging.[1]

Special interest group's attack on solar rights blocked after public outcry
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission dismissed a petition Thursday
that threatened crucial state net metering policies and states'
long-held jurisdiction over solar rights. This came after overwhelming
public support to defend solar rights, including 12,000 public
comments submitted by Environment America supporters.[2]

Fifteen-state EV truck pact shows dedication to global warming fight
Fifteen states announced Tuesday a first-of-its-kind agreement for
zero-emission trucks. The agreement sets targets for achieving full
electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2050 and 30
percent zero-emission trucks by 2030 for truck manufacturers.[3]

Healthy rate of sea turtle nests on Georgia coasts
Thousands of loggerhead sea turtle nests have been recorded on Georgia
beaches this season, meeting the threshold to be on track for the
species to recover. This rare turtle is protected under the Endangered
Species Act and has its nesting season from May to August.[4]

For more good news you might have missed this week, check out our Good
As News project.
environmentamerica.org/news/ame/good-news-positive-environmental-stories-you-may-have-missed-week-0

Thank you,

Emma Searson
100% Renewable Campaign Director

P.S. We celebrate these victories to remind ourselves what we're
working toward -- and that change is possible. You can be part of that
change by making a donation today, to help keep all of our campaigns
to protect the environment going.
environmentamerica.webaction.org/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=55006&supporter_KEY=1265843&uid=d1ce0c96f5d8bff63f83dddf9365dc3c&utm_source=salsa&utm_medium=email&tag=email_blast:80539&utm_campaign=AME4-FCNS:PARKSREC-0720&utm_content=EM5:01C:0GH-OPO

1. Bart Johnsen-Harris, "Statement: House advances greenest budget in
recent memory," Environment America, July 10, 2020.
environmentamerica.org/news/ame/statement-house-advances-greenest-budget-recent-memory
2. Bronte Payne, "Statement: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission acts
wisely, dismissing New England Ratepayers Association petition,"
Environment America, July 16, 2020.
environmentamerica.org/news/ame/statement-federal-energy-regulatory-commission-acts-wisely-dismissing-new-england
3. Morgan Folger, "Statement: New 15-state EV truck pact shows
commitment to fighting global warming and air pollution," Environment
America, July 14, 2020.
environmentamerica.org/news/ame/statement-new-15-state-ev-truck-pact-shows-commitment-fighting-global-warming-and-air
4. "Sea turtles nesting at healthy rate on Georgia beaches,"
Associated Press, July 12, 2020.
apnews.com/799e60d4c4f6c4b27df13d34412408da