[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 10, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E881-E882]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY STUDY INSTITUTE (EESI) ON 
                          ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIA BROWNLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 2024

  Ms. BROWNLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the 
accomplishments of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), 
which is celebrating a 40-year history of advancing climate solutions. 
The institute was founded by a bipartisan group of members of Congress. 
including then-Rep. Richard L. ``Dick'' Ottinger (D-N.Y.), who 
continues to serve on its board of directors as chair emeritus, and 
then-Rep. Thomas B. Evans (R-Del.). Since 1984, EESI has worked in a 
nonpartisan manner to provide science-based educational resources to 
policymakers and the public. As we enter this decisive decade for 
climate action, the role played by EESI in advancing science-based 
solutions for climate change, energy, and environmental challenges is 
more important than ever.

[[Page E882]]

  On multiple occasions, I have had the pleasure of working closely 
with EESI. For example, their briefing on lowering carbon emissions 
from commercial aviation coincided with the initial release of my bill, 
the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Act (H.R. 2747). I also spoke at an EESI 
briefing on food waste reduction in December 2021. While I served on 
the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis from 2019 to 2023, EESI 
submitted a substantive response to our request for information. The 
institute also organized a briefing about the report issued by the 
Select Committee majority in June 2020.
  I commend EESI for serving as a trusted source of credible, 
nonpartisan, science-based information about energy and environmental 
topics and climate change solutions. EESI has helped to strengthen 
federal climate policy. Each year, the institute produces more than 20 
Congressional briefings, 35 newsletters, and 100 articles, as well as 
fact sheets, issue briefs, and podcast episodes. Since 2010, EESI has 
also provided free technical assistance to help dozens of rural 
utilities across the country develop and implement inclusive on-bill 
financing programs for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and 
beneficial electrification.
  I truly hope that EESI will continue to work with Congress for the 
next 40 years, continuing to prioritize the climate, advancing 
solutions, fostering bipartisanship, supporting rural communities, and 
cultivating young leaders.

                          ____________________