Inside the Greenhouse is a monthly update on FCNL’s environmental advocacy and the emerging climate issues that impact our work.
Montana Youth Sue State for Inaction on Climate Crisis
Earlier this month, sixteen young people in Montana brought the state’s first constitutional climate lawsuit, Held v. Montana.
Montana’s constitution guarantees that the “state and each person shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations.” The youth-led suit alleges that the Montana legislature’s pro-fossil fuel policies contribute to climate change and violate the protections enshrined in the state’s foundational legal document.
The plaintiffs argued that their health and future are at risk due to the intense burning of fossil fuels like coal. Montana’s coal-fired power plants provide 42% of the state’s power, the largest share of electricity production in the state.
As we await the court’s decision, one fact is clear: Young people are on the frontlines of the environmental crisis. Our anxiety over the climate crisis is justified and should be considered when authorizing critical energy investments.
You Too, Can Decarbonize Your Home with the Inflation Reduction Act’s Incentives
President Joe Biden’s flagship climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act (Public Law: 117-169), is the largest clean energy investment ever authorized by Congress.
The law provides tax credits for purchasing energy-efficient equipment. These incentives are helpful for Americans who want to reduce their energy bills and decarbonize their homes.
Tax incentives are available for equipment like electric stoves, vehicles, and solar panels. The size of the rebate varies based on household income, zip code, type of tax filing, household size, and whether one owns or rents their home.
For example, a homeowner in Richmond, IN (where FCNL was founded), with an average household income of $42,000, could receive up to $14,000 in upfront discounts, $1,450 in tax credits, and save $1,250 in energy utilities per year. Use this calculator to see how much you can save.
To learn more about the credits you can access, watch the recording of our recent Call to Conscience session. We spoke with Barbara Briggs, administrator for Friends Meeting of Washington and convener of the Beyond Gas climate-faith initiative, about the tools available to consumers.
News and Updates
New Guidance on Clean Energy Credits for Nonprofits
The Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service released guidance on the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits for tax-exempt entities. Organizations like houses of worship can use these programs to lower their carbon footprint and utility expenses.
Bipartisan Efforts to Tax Carbon-Heavy Imports
Sens. Chris Coons (DE) and Kevin Cramer (ND) introduced the Prove It Act (S.1863). The legislation would provide a basis for taxing imported goods based on their carbon intensity. The long-term goal is to tax imports from nations with looser environmental standards. This bipartisan bill takes a step in that direction by commissioning the Department of Energy to conduct a study on the emission intensity of products like aluminum, cement, crude oil, and steel.
Bombed Dam in Ukraine Creates Humanitarian Crisis
Amid the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Kakhovka Dam on the Dnipro River was bombed on June 6. Responsibility for the attack is still unknown. Its destruction left thousands in Southern Ukraine without access to piped water. The resulting floods have dislodged landmines, putting civilians at greater risk. War is never the answer, and this is just one example of the far-reaching impacts and immeasurable consequences for innocent people caught in the conflict.
What We’ve Been Reading
- What Could a Just Transition Look Like In West Virginia? FCNL Staff Went to Find Out
- House Foreign Aid Bill Fails to Allocate Sufficient Funding For Climate Assistance
- Biden Administration’s Carbon Capture Efforts Face Criticism from Environmental Justice Communities
- UN Adopts First-Ever Treaty Protecting Marine Life in International Seas
- How Communities in Central Florida Are Preventing the Worst Consequences Of Future Storms
