Washington, DC (February 1, 2010)- The Alliance for Community Trees is joining together with 15 national organizations to support a strengthening of the U.S. Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program (U&CF) in the President's FY 2011 federal budget.

Reauthorization recognizes that trees and green space are good for business

College Park, Md. (January 27, 2010)- The Alliance for Community Trees (ACT) today commended Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) for introducing H.R. 4509, the Small Business Environmental Stewardship Assistance Act of 2010. This legislation recognizes the critical role that the built environment- including green infrastructure- plays in order for small businesses to be able to create jobs, promote energy efficiency, and provide positive customer experiences. By reauthorizing the Small Business Administration's (SBA) National Small Business Tree Planting Program, this legislation would provide timely assistance to beautify retail storefronts and rental housing and parks, turn Main Streets into Green Streets, and jump-start many municipal tree canopy initiatives.

Washington, DC (December 1, 2009)- Public Law 101-515 directed the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to create the National Small Business Tree Planting Program (Title 15, Chapter 14A, section 651 of the U.S. Code) and authorized $15 million in appropriations for FY1991, and $30 million in annual appropriations for FY1992 through FY1997. While the program was a valuable tool for small businesses, who worked in collaboration with state and local governments on development plans to utilize the funding, SBA did not have the appropriate resources necessary to administer the program.

Washington, DC (October 7, 2009)- Yesterday, Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ) introduced H.R. 3734, the Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act. This bill will rehabilitate and improve urban parks and recreational infrastructure and revitalize communities by increasing economic development, improving public health, increasing daily physical activity, reconnecting children with nature, reducing crime, and providing safe, healthy alternatives for at-risk youth. This bill will rehabilitate existing urban parks and recreation centers.

Washington, DC (September 30, 2009)- The United States today took a big step towards enacting legislation to combat global climate change. U.S. Senators John Kerry of Massachusetts and Barbara Boxer of California, both Democrats, introduced the Kerry-Boxer bill, formally known as the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act to limit greenhouse gas emissions while putting Americans back to work.

Washington, DC (September 30, 2009)- As the nation has seen lately, fire season in the West is getting longer, hotter, and more intense. So, Chairman Bingaman is pleased to see key provisions from the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act (FLAME) unanimously adopted as part of the Senate Interior Appropriations bill. The FLAME Act sets up a separate account and budget for fighting the largest and most complex fires, so that adequate funds are available and so that the agencies' land management functions are not shorted.

By Noelle Straub

Washington, DC (September 25, 2009)- The Senate yesterday approved, 77-21, a $32.1 billion spending bill to fund environmental agencies for fiscal 2010 after deflecting several controversial amendments that would have limited the Obama administration's authority to regulate greenhouse gases. H.R. 2996 would provide $10.2 billion for U.S. EPA, $11.1 billion for the Interior Department and $5.3 billion for the Forest Service.

By Stephen Dinan

Washington, DC (September 24, 2009)- The Senate this week told the Obama administration to stop spending stimulus bill wildland firefighting money on urban parks in the nation's capital- the first time either chamber has voted to reject one of the administration's stimulus spending decisions. With fires raging out West, lawmakers said, it was ridiculous to spend firefighting money in Washington, which has no national forests and isn't considered a forest fire danger spot. In a voice vote Tuesday, senators voted unanimously to prohibit the U.S. Forest Service to spend any of its $500 million in wildland fire money in the city.

Washington, DC (September 9, 2009)- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for forest health protection projects. These 78 projects will receive almost $89 million and are located on forested lands in 30 states. This funding will be used to restore forest health conditions on Federal, State, and private forest and rangelands recovering from fires, forest insects and disease outbreaks. These conditions weaken affected lands and threaten the benefits these lands provide, including clean water, clean air, habitat for wildlife, resistance to wildfire, and recreational opportunities for the public. Among the projects being funded are green jobs initiatives in Indiana, Maryland, Georgia, Delaware, and DC that the Alliance for Community Trees advocated for.

By Stephen Lee Davis

Washington, DC (August 11, 2009)- Chairman Oberstar of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is planning a full committee mark-up of the Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009 as soon as Congress comes back from the August recess. Appearing at an economic recovery news conference Wednesday in Minnesota, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar said he will hold a full committee mark-up of a $500 billion, six-year federal surface transportation authorization the week of Labor Day, when Congress returns from its summer recess. Oberstar, D-MN, told Minnesota Public Radio that he expects to have the bill on the floor by the third week of September.

Washington, DC (July 21 2009)- Alliance for Community Trees supported testimony delivered today by Leah MacSwords, President of the National Association of State Foresters, in support of the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act (FLAME Act).

By Allyson Schwartz and Michael Nutter

Philadelphia, PA (July 7, 2009)- While "going green" has long been associated with protecting the environment, we believe it should also be associated with saving and earning money. Clean, sustainable and livable communities go hand-in-hand with economic growth. In these tough economic times, many American cities and towns are searching for innovative ways to go green, seeking to make investments that will ultimately save taxpayer dollars and increase local property values.

Washington, DC (June 26, 2009)- The U.S. House of Representatives, splitting largely along party lines, has approved the most ambitious energy and global warming legislation ever debated in Congress. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, H.R. 2454, contains two key urban forestry provisions, including Rep. Doris Matsui's Energy Conservation through Trees Act and Rep. Ed Perlmutter's GREEN Act. The Alliance for Community Trees has been a strong advocate for both, and encourages all ACT members to ask their elected leaders to support these provisions.

Washington, DC (June 26, 2009)- U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter's (D-CO) G.R.E.E.N. Act (Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods), which includes a key financing provision by Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), passed the House of Representatives as Section 295 of H.R. 2454. The reintroduced G.R.E.E.N. Act gives real savings, real investment by promoting energy efficiency in homes.

Washington, DC (June 22, 2009)- The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure today released the Committee Print of the next surface transportation authorization bill. The Subcommittee on Highways and Transit is now set to take up the bill.

Washington, DC (June 1, 2009)- This year, the annual budget offered few surprises as the administration focused on the economic stimulus. The President's 2010 request was $29,327,000, which is a very slight decrease from last year's enacted budget, but is a great improvement from administration budgets of recent years. Nearly $40 million in urban forestry-related projects will receive funding through the ARRA as part of the Forest Service's fuels reduction and ecosystem restoration work. The president's annual budget for FY 2010 provided relief to forestry programs formerly slated for deep cuts under the previous administration. The president's budget calls for the creation of a separate $282 million contingency fund for combating forest fires, which will reduce or eliminate the practice of borrowing money from other programs to pay for emergency fire suppression.

Washington, DC (May 20, 2009)- Cities across the United States are looking for new effective, low cost strategies that will grow their economies. The implementation of green infrastructure is one of the most effective ways to improve quality of life, attract new business, and improve the general environment. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz has introduced the Green Communities Act, H.R. 2222, to do just that. The bill authorizes $120 million in funding for community-based greening in cities. ACT member organization Pennsylvania Horticulture Society hosted a field hearing on the legislation and is a leading advocate for the program, which would be authorized by the Secretary of Commerce and delivered through the Economic Development Administration. Urban forestry and volunteer-based action are prominently featured in the legislation.

Washington, DC (May 14, 2009)- The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act, H.R. 2187 passed the House today with two key amendments offered by Rep. Allyson Schwartz. This innovative legislation, as amended, makes targeted investments to modernize, upgrade, and repair school facilities across the country. According to projections by the Economic Policy Institute, construction funding in this bill will support as many as 136,000 new construction jobs, many in green work, providing workers valuable new skills. This bill is the reintroduction of the similar bill, H.R.3021, that passed the House last year. The Senate is now required to take action.

By Allison Winter and Noelle Straub

Washington, DC (May 6, 2009)- President Obama nominated a career Agriculture Department employee yesterday to a political post overseeing the Forest Service and farmland conservation programs. If confirmed by the Senate, Homer Lee Wilkes- currently the Mississippi state conservationist and a 28-year veteran of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)- would be undersecretary for natural resources and environment. The post directs the Forest Service and conservation projects at NRCS.

College Park, MD (May 4, 2009)- ACT is assembling a Greener Safer Communities Task Force to champion healthy communities. The goal of the task force is to support legislation to create a Department of Justice administered incentive program that states or municipalities could utilize to create safer communities through coordinated community policing and urban greening. The purpose of the legislation would be to invest in lowering crime and calming traffic, since, as many of us know, trees correlate not only with less crime against both people and property, but also traffic calming along streets where kids play.

Washington, DC (April 22, 2009)- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of Jay Jensen as USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment (NRE). In this position, Jensen will have responsibility for the U.S. Forest Service (FS), which manages 193 million acres of National Forest System lands and provides assistance to the more than 10 million family-forest landowners in this country.

Washington, DC (April 22, 2009)- Congressman Mike McCaul (TX) has re-introduced legislation aimed at preparing the next wave of design and construction professionals to improve the energy efficiency and productivity of our nation's buildings. H.R. 957, The Green Energy Education Act, would require the Department of Energy (DOE) to partner with the National Science Foundation to award grants to university programs related to the design and construction of high performance buildings.

Annapolis, MD (April 14, 2009)- With 6 hours remaining in the 2009 Session, the Sustainable Forestry Act of 2009 (Senate Bill 549) passed both Chambers of the General Assembly and awaits enactment into law, via signature of the Governor. The Act is intended is to promote retention and better management of Maryland's remaining forest lands with emphasis on privately-owned forest lands.

Washington, DC (March 27, 2009)- From California to Connecticut, state forestry agencies are tackling threats to the nation's forests through a new multi-stage process within the U.S. Forest Service. Dubbed "Redesign," this strategic approach effectively and proactively invests federal, state, local, and private resources in a way that makes an impact on the ground. A component of this strategy sets aside a portion of Forest Service funds allocated for state and private forestry efforts and distributes it based on priority landscapes in order to target threats such as insect and disease infestations, wildfire, and the loss of critical forestlands to development.

Washington, DC (March 24, 2009)- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack named Dave White as chief of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) this week. Chief White has experience at the local, state, and national levels, including time as a State Conservationist and on detail to the Senate Agriculture Committee during development of the 2002 and 2008 Farm Bills.

Washington, DC (March 10, 2009)- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced USDA will be delivering its first actions implementing the $28 billion provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Funding will help rebuild and revitalize rural communities as well as help stimulate local economies and create jobs throughout the country.

College Park, MD (March 5, 2009)- Many of you have asked ACT about the stimulus or been asked by state and regional officials to submit plans of action for green projects that would create jobs. It remains to be seen whether the Forest Service will be able to fund urban forestry projects with stimulus dollars. The agency has received many urban proposals, revealing the capacity, demand, and ready network available through the urban forestry program. It still remains a good idea to keep your state forester and regional forester informed about your shovel ready projects in the event funds become available.

Washington, DC (March 5, 2009)- H.R. 1329 the Clean, Low-Emission, Affordable, New Transportation Efficiency Act is a bill aimed at supporting efforts by States and eligible local and regional entities to develop and implement plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. The main goals of the bill are threefold: increase mobility options, reduce number of miles traveled by motor vehicles (VMT), and reduce the use of petroleum-derived transportation fuel.

Washington, DC (March 2, 2009)- Lisa Jackson, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced today a new initiative to further measure levels of toxic air pollution near many schools across the country for better protection. EPA and its state partners will prioritize and monitor schools for more extensive air quality analysis, looking closely at schools located near large industries and in urban areas.

Washington, DC (February 19, 2009)- By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to take a coordinated and comprehensive approach to developing and implementing an effective strategy concerning urban America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Washington, DC (February 13, 2009)- Thanks for your efforts to make contact w/ legislators this week. Final language from the Forestry section of the stimulus is provided here. The compromise did not include everything we wanted, but it does provide state forestry agencies with full authorities, which could in theory include U&CF. If you haven't let your state know what you can do for green jobs, you may want to make them aware now. State foresters are assembling project lists now, and many of them are including urban forestry in their wish lists.

Call to Action

Washington, DC (February 2, 2009)- Did you know that Urban and Community Forestry Programs stand to benefit from economic stimulus legislation? The House bill approved last month provides $550 million for US Forest Service State and Private Forestry programs, which includes specific support for city forest enhancements.

Washington, DC (January 26, 2009)- Senator Maria Cantwell introduced the Clean Energy Stimulus and Investment Assurance Act of 2009 (S.320), legislation geared toward creating high-wage green-collar jobs and revitalizing the economy through clean energy investments. A section of the bill is dedicated to green roof tax incentives.

Washington, DC (January 8, 2009)- The House Energy and Commerce Committee announced that Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) will be named chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment, which will have legislative and oversight jurisdiction over national energy policy, climate change, fuel economy standards, Superfund, hazardous waste, and safe drinking water. Rep. Markey replaces the current subcommittee chair Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA), who will take over Markey's current position as chair of the Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee.

Washington, DC (December 20, 2008)- Just before the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year in October, Congress passed a temporary spending measure to fund the operations of the government until March. Without action early in the next Congress, though, funding for much of the government will run out. The stopgap bill passed in September set full year FY 2009 funding levels for Defense, Homeland Security, and Military Veterans. It spent about $8,000 per U.S. family. But the rest of the government's operations remain unfunded past early March.

By Michael Jamison

Washington, DC (December 14, 2008)- So, what exactly does a former community organizer from Chicago know about grizzly bears and board feet, or salmon and hydropower? That's the question in the West, where towns surrounded by federal lands eagerly watch President-elect Barack Obama's picks for leadership posts in both the departments of Interior and Agriculture.

Washington, DC (December 10, 2008)- A coalition of 21 organization including the Alliance for Community Trees, ANLA, and Nature Conservancy today signed a joint letter to President-elect Obama encouraging his attention to address the sweeping problems of non-native forest insects and diseases in the U.S. Suggested measures include improved detection systems at our borders, eradication programs that minimize the ability of non-native insects and diseases to survive, and broad public education on the crisis. Here is the letter:

Washington, DC (November 25, 2008)- Today, a group of 29 environmental organizations delivered a 391-page report to the Obama transition team. It outlines the actions that the group, collectively, requests of Obama's environmental team both by issues (such as climate and energy and land and water conservation) and agency (such as Defense Department, Forest Service, Department of Energy, EPA, and more). There are only two references to "tree, " and the several links to urban pertain to LWCF, open space, EPA stormwater, or "climate justice."

Atlanta, GA (November 19, 2008)- Today at the Arbor Day Foundation's Partners in Community Forest Conference, the US Conference of Mayors released their report titled, Protecting and Developing the Urban Tree Canopy. The report is a survey of 135 major US cities, 84% of which view their tree activities as part of their overall sustainability and/or climate protection efforts. The report was commissioned by the organization's Community Tree Task Force currently co-chaired by Palatine (IL) Mayor Rita Mullins and Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo.

By Noelle Straub

Washington, DC (November 18, 2008)- There is growing momentum in Congress behind a solution to wildfire issues within the Forest Service. For many, the top wildfire priority will be to overhaul the funding mechanism for Forest Service wildfire suppression efforts. Currently, the agency is dealing with increasing firefighting costs in the face of static budgets, inducing cuts in other programs in order to meet suppression needs.

As Barack Obama readies his administration, we're getting a clearer picture of what his polices towards public lands might look like. Throughout his campaign, President-elect Obama voiced strong opposition to oil and gas development on federal lands and stressed the importance of public lands conservation. He articulated his position with concrete policy goals for the management of federal forests, including increased funding for restoration activities and wildfire protections, and coordinated land-use regulations to ensure conservation.

Washington, DC (October 31, 2008)- Your Congressional representatives have been home since the end of October campaigning for reelection. In fact, as of November 4, you may be sending someone new to DC. Either way, Congress is adjourned until 2009. This is a great opportunity to schedule a meeting with your representative. As a constituent, your issues and concerns speak far louder than ACT can on your behalf. So call your representative's district office, and ask to schedule a meeting or invite him/her to an event. ACT has provided some talking points as follows.

College Park, MD (October 21, 2008)- ACT joined with a coalition of 120 organizations to urge the Forest Service to expedite the launch of the new Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, authorized in Title VIII, Section 8002 of the recently passed Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. This new program will provide matching funds to help local government entities, Indian tribes, and non-profit organizations to create new community forests.

By Noelle Straub

Washington, DC (September 24, 2008)- Wildfire money in legislation this month should allow the Forest Service to reverse devastating cuts it has made to other programs in order to cover firefighting costs this season. The funding will be used to repay accounts, fund hazardous fuels reduction and rehab work, and assist with fire fighter retention. "There's smiles" around the Forest Service today, spokeswoman Donna Drelick said. ACT encourages members to thank representatives on the Appropriations Committees for their hard work on this, and urge that this legislation move quickly with these funds included.

Washington, DC (September 18, 2008)- The Alliance for Community Trees (ACT) is pleased to announce the that the No Child Left Inside Act of 2007 (H.R.3036) passed the House today. This bill creates grant programs for schools to form partnerships with nonprofits and other agencies to improve environmental education in the classroom and introduce field experiences for K-12 students. ACT supports the No Child Left Inside Act as the furthest reaching environmental education bill teaching our students about urban forestry in the communities where they live and play. This is a great opportunity for ACT members to expand educational programs and become more involved with the youth in the communities you serve.

Washington, DC (September 16, 2008)- The House of Representatives passed the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act (H.R.6899). While the bill itself is very wide-reaching, unfortunately the majority of its focus (and debate) has gotten caught up in the issue of off-shore drilling, an issue that has been shown to have little impact (immediate or long term) on our national energy use and needs. While the bill did pass the house, and now moves to the Senate to be voted on, President Bush has threatened to veto the bill.

College Park, MD (September 15, 2008)- Alliance for Community Trees joined 47 national conservation leaders in urging Congress to find a better solution in how the nation funds its fire fighting efforts. For years, federal agencies have funded catastrophic fire fighting by borrowing funds from programs and projects that are necessary for long-term forest stewardship.

Washington, DC (September 1, 2008)- The Environmental Justice Renewal Act (S. 2549) requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator to establish an Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice to provide guidance to Federal agencies on the development of criteria for identifying disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority populations and low-income populations.

Washington, DC (August 20, 2008)- Last month, Rep. Michael Castle (R-DE), introduced the National Highway Chokepoint Congestion Relief Act (H.R. 6435) to create a grant program for State Departments of Transportation to make capital improvements to highways to relieve traffic congestion. The Alliance for Community Trees and Delaware Center for Horticulture jointly reached out to Rep. Castle to request that he amend the legislation to specifically include trees and green infrastructure as eligible capital improvements.

Washington, DC (August 9, 2008)- Your Congressional representatives will be home from August 9 through September 3 (Senate) or September 7 (House) for the August and Labor Day District Work Period. This is a great opportunity to schedule a meeting with your representative. As a constituent, your issues and concerns speak far louder than ACT can on your behalf. So call your representative's district office, and ask to schedule a meeting or invite him/her to an event. ACT has provided some talking points as follows.

Sacramento, CA (July 8, 2008)- At the US Conference of Mayors' summer meeting, Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo introduced three resolutions in support of urban forestry policy objectives. The Alliance for Community Trees is pleased to announce these resolutions, and thank Mayor Fargo for her continued work with ACT and support of urban forestry organizations around the country.

Washington, DC (June 16, 2008)- Your Congressional representatives will be home at the end of next week for the Independence Day District Work Period, which runs from June 28 through July 6. This is a great opportunity to schedule a meeting with your representative. As a constituent, your issues and concerns speak far louder than ACT can on your behalf. So call your representative's district office, and ask to schedule a meeting or invite him/her to an event. ACT has provided some talking points as follows.

Washington, DC (June 12, 2008)- House lawmakers kicked off the appropriations markup season yesterday by approving a $27.9 billion spending bill for the Interior Department, U.S. EPA, and Forest Service, more than $2 billion over President Bush's request.

Washington, DC (June 11, 2008)- Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter's (CO-07) G.R.E.E.N. Act (Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods) was heard in the House Financial Services Committee. H.R. 6078 provides incentives to lenders and financial institutions to provide lower interest loans and other benefits to consumers, who build, buy, or remodel their homes and businesses to improve their energy efficiency. This timely legislation reflects foresight and the considered input of a broad coalition of housing advocates, financial institutions, government leaders, developers, and the environmental community.

Washington, DC (June 5, 2008)- This afternoon, Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-05) was named to the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Energy and Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over a vast amount of issues, ranging from national policy on health care and energy, to interstate and foreign commerce and consumer safety.

Washington, DC (May 15, 2008)- Congressman Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) introduced H.R.6078, Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods Act of 2008 (GREEN Act). This act encourages energy efficiency and conservation and the development of renewable energy sources for housing, commercial structures, and other buildings to create sustainable communities. The Alliance for Community Trees has worked closely with Congressman Perlmutter (D-CO) to advocate for the inclusion of best practices in urban forestry and planned green development.

Washington, DC (May 1, 2008)- This new law authorizes specified programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy concerning, among other things, land conveyances, boundary adjustments, studies, memorials, commissions, and museums, national park natural resource protection, national trails and rivers, national heritage areas, and advanced energy technology transfer centers.

Washington, DC (April 25, 2008)- The Alliance for Community Trees provided written testimony to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies regarding the FY 2009 federal budget. ACT urged the Senate to 1.) Provide a total of $50 million to the Forest Service to deliver a successful and expanded Urban and Community Forestry Program to the nation's public. 2.) Increase the Forest Service's research investments for urban forest research across its Research and Development units.

Washington, DC (April 22, 2008)- Today, Earth Day, the Alliance for Community Trees celebrates the Energy Conservation through Trees Act being introduced by Rep. Matsui. ACT staff and board members worked closely with the Congresswoman to develop the proposed federal program, which would encourage utility companies to partner with local nonprofit tree planting organizations to plant trees to reduce residential energy demand. The purpose of the legislation is to help homeowners lower their electric bills (and help utilities lower their peak load demand) by reducing residential energy demand caused by the need to run air conditioners and heaters at a high level. Shade trees not only help mitigate the urban heat island effect, but also help to shield homes from sun in the summer and cold winds in the winter.

Washington, DC (April 18, 2008)- The Alliance for Community Trees is pleased to announce that U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, will unveil his G.R.E.E.N. (Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods) Act for affordable mortgages while delivering a keynote address during a forum at the Center for American Progress on Tues., April 22. ACT has worked closely with Rep. Perlmutter and his staff to craft a bill that provides incentives to lenders and financial institutions to provide lower interest loans and other benefits to consumers, who build, buy or remodel their homes and businesses to improve their energy efficiency, including with trees. This timely legislation reflects foresight and the considered input of a broad coalition of housing advocates, financial institutions, government leaders, developers, and the environmental community.

By Noelle Straub

Washington, DC (April 2, 2008)- Senators on the powerful Appropriations Committee vowed Tuesday to reverse proposed budget cuts to the U.S. Forest Service and toyed with the idea of moving the agency from the Department of Agriculture to the Interior Department.

Washington, DC (April 1, 2007)- Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Norm Dicks is co-sponsoring a bill that would address the need for better budgeting for fire suppression costs by the federal government. The bill is similar Congressman Goodlatte's Emergency Wildland Fire Response Act of 2008 in its goals, would establish a special federal fund to be used only for suppression of catastrophic, emergency wildland fires.

By Steven W. Koehn

Baltimore, MD (March 27, 2008)- The Bush administration's proposal to significantly cut the U.S. Forest Service's State and Private Forestry Program would harm communities throughout Maryland by virtually eliminating nearly 100 years of federal-state cooperation in forest conservation. Congress must not allow the federal government to leave state and local communities behind at a time when federal assistance is needed most.

The latest issue of the Alliance for Community Trees' Policy Alerts e-newsletter for friends and partners.

Washington, DC (April 25, 2008)- The Alliance for Community Trees is joining together with 15 national organizations in opposing the drastic cuts proposed for the Urban and Community Forestry Program (U&CF) in the President's FY 2009 federal budget. The proposed 82% cut would leave the national U&CF program with only $5 million in funds for FY 2009 to deliver assistance to all 50 states and territories.

Olympia, WA (March 11, 2008)- The state House sent the Evergreen Communities Act to Governor Gregoire's desk today with a final concurrence vote. "We hope this is the first step in a long-term state commitment to prioritize urban tree protection, management and canopy expansion" said Audubon Washington executive director, Nina Carter. "Trees are one of the most cost effective ways for cities to reduce stormwater runoff pollution, the leading source of pollution in Puget Sound. Trees clean our air, reduce energy through shade, absorb greenhouse gases and make our cities livable."

Washington, DC (February 27, 2008)- H.R. 5161 would direct the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to make grants to institutions of higher education to carry out research and development on green transportation infrastructure. Under the bill, the term green transportation infrastructure includes infrastructure that preserves natural processes, treats water close to its source, minimizes the use of impervious surfaces, and minimizes energy use and air pollution.

Washington, DC (February 7, 2008)- State foresters across the country reacted angrily this week to deep cutbacks in federal funding for state and private forestry programs within the U.S. Forest Service. The president's FY09 budget proposal cuts nearly 60 percent from current levels, with funding for some priority programs slashed as much as 80 percent.

Washington, DC (February 4, 2008)- The President's budget was released today. All State and Private Forestry programs experienced big cuts, with Urban and Community Forestry scheduled for an 82% reduction resulting in a $5 million budget. In the coming weeks, Alliance for Community Trees will work with its partners in the Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition to develop a response and recommendations for the FY 2009 budget. We will keep ACT members and other urban forestry advocates informed and invite state and local entities to add their support to the united message of support for urban forests in our nation's budget.

Washington, DC (January 24, 2008)- Today, Forest Service Chief, Gail Kimbell, addressed the Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition 2008 Annual Meeting.... 2007 was a winning year for the field of urban and community forestry, and I am so glad to be here today to congratulate you on your incredible accomplishments. We are proud to be a partner with you.

By Carly A. Mullady

Chicago, IL (January 22, 2008)- The emerald ash borer is doing more than bugging south suburban officials. Mayors from several suburban municipalities Tuesday joined arborists, tree enthusiasts and concerned residents to learn about plans to fight the destructive little creature. To help out with the battle, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Illinois is receiving $1.5 million in federal funding for emerald ash borer prevention measures.

Washington, DC (January 2008)- The House of Representatives passed a landmark green affordable housing bill by a wide bipartisan margin. The "HOPE VI Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2007" (H.R. 3524) provides $800 million annually from 2008-2013 for mixed-income communities that incorporate Green Communities Criteria. This is the first time the House has passed a bill authorizing holistic environmental principles in a major housing program. View segments of the floor debate.

Washington, DC (January 1, 2008)- The USDA Forest Service has provided a set of goals and objectives for Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) within the context of the National Redesign Themes for State and Private Forestry. These goals are intended to provide focus for the program and are not exclusive of local and state needs and opportunities. This document is draft only and was developed for conceptual review by a working group of state and federal urban forestry coordinators. All concepts described are still under active development by the Redesign Board.

Washington, DC (December 19, 2007)- President Bush signed the Green Jobs Act of 2007, authorizing $125 million for green job training programs across the country. The Green Jobs Act is part of the Energy Bill. For the first time in history, we have a U.S. law that addresses both the climate crisis and the poverty crisis by investing in green-collar job training.

Washington, DC (December 19, 2007)- President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Energy Bill) into law, along with key provisions which create new efficiency standards for an array of consumer products from light bulbs to new buildings. There are several opportunities of interest to ACT members.

U&CF Budget is $27.7 million

Washington, DC (December 16, 2007)- Congress announced details of an end of year combined appropriations act for FY 2008 to fund all federal agencies that have been operating under continuing resolutions since the fall. Many programs did not receive as much funding as was initially budgeted by the House and Senate during the summer. However, if approved, the omnibus would provide more funding to environmental programs than the President's 2008 budget would have provided.

Washington, DC (December 14, 2007)- After a protracted struggle, the U.S. Senate finally passed the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (H.R.2419) by a vote of 79 to 14. During debate, 12 amendments to the bill were considered. None passed. Among these failed attempts were amendments by Senator Lugar (R-IN) and Senator Dorgan (D-ND), both seeking to reform agricultural payments by replacing subsidies with crop insurance and fixing income caps on payment eligibility, respectively.

Albany, NY (December 10, 2007)- State governments play a crucial role in determining where growth and development occur. Local governments designate land use, but they do so in a context of state investments and policies. It is the rare state, however, that requires individual departments to coordinate those decisions. As a result, the DOT, say, might propose a highway through farmland or natural areas that the Department of Natural Resources has marked for preservation. Or the state health department might build a clinic out from town, beyond the reach of transit, and therefore out of reach of the poor and elderly. New York Governor Eliot Spitzer broke the mold by creating a new Smart Growth Cabinet to review "state agency spending and policies to determine how best to discourage sprawl and promote smart land use practices."

Washington, DC (December 6, 2007)- Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell today announced the release of the Forest Service's Open Space Conservation Strategy. The Open Space Conservation Strategy is the product of extensive public comment and collaboration, with over 22,000 comments received. The public also expressed strong support for open space conservation during USDA's Farm Bill listening sessions. Open space benefits American citizens by providing clean air, abundant water, outdoor recreation, connected fish and wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, improved human health, renewable resource products, and quality of life.

Seattle, WA (November 1, 2007)- This report is about U.S. cities' efforts to conserve energy and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that threaten our planet. It is based on information submitted by mayors who applied for the First Annual Mayors' Climate Protection Awards and by mayors who participated in the Seattle Summit. For Alliance for Community Trees members there is an opportunity to target our greenest mayors with suggestions about how to use this Guide.

Washington, DC (October 11, 2007)- The following is an excerpt of a letter sent to Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (Chairman, Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security and Water Quality) and David Vitter (Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security and Water Quality).

Washington, DC (October 4, 2007)- The Senate Finance Committee approved the "Heartland, Habitat, Harvest, and Horticulture Act of 2007" by a vote of 17-4. The bill addresses many farm programs, and includes tax breaks for disaster assistance, endangered species projects, farmland conservation, and wind and cellulosic energy development.

The latest issue of ACT's Hill Leaflet for members, Hill staff, and conservation professionals.

Washington, DC (September 20, 2007)- Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Emerald Ash Borer Municipality Assistance Act of 2007 (S. 1717) in response to requests for support from Illinois municipalities in the path of EAB. Senate co-sponsors include Senators Barack Obama, IL; Richard Lugar, IN; Carl Levin, MI; Debbie Stabenow, MI; Benjamin Cardin, MD; Sherrod Brown, OH; Robert Casey, Jr., PA. The funding bill is in the House is H.R. 2419.

By Catharine Richert and Gregory L. Giroux

Washington, DC (September 20, 2007)- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns resigned Thursday amid reports he will run for the Senate in his home state of Nebraska. "I couldn't have asked for a better secretary of agriculture," President Bush said in accepting Johanns' resignation. "He worked hard to put in motion a good farm bill. ... He set the framework for success, and I'm confident we can get a good bill passed."

Washington, DC (September 20, 2007)- As a tree farmer and honorary co-chair of NeighborWoods Indianapolis, Senator Richard Lugar understands that trees play a major role in creating healthy and sustainable communities. Trees sequester carbon, clean the air, contribute to efficient stormwater management, and deliver energy savings and higher property values. Moreover, research demonstrates a clear correlation between tree cover and income; the lower the income, the less tree cover. It is these neighborhoods that may have the most to gain by planting trees.

Washington, DC (September 17, 2007)- Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) introduced S. 2054 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to assist cities with a vacant housing problem, and for other purposes.

Washington, DC (August 23, 2007)- In late June, the House of Representatives passed Interior and Environment Appropriations for fiscal year 2008 that would restore funding to a wide array of conservation and environmental protection programs. The House provided $355 million above the President's budget request to the U.S. Forest Service, including a small budget increase for the Urban and Community Forestry Program, which would result in a $31,130,000 national budget for U&CF.

The latest issue of ACT's Hill Leaflet for members, Hill staff, and conservation professionals.

Washington, DC (August 4, 2007)- The House passed a wide-ranging energy bill on Saturday that will require most utilities to produce 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar power. President Bush has vowed to veto the energy bill because it does nothing to encourage increased domestic production of oil and gas. The Energy Efficiency Through Trees legislation crafted by Rep. Doris O. Matsui was not introduced.

Washington, DC (August 3, 2007)- Energy legislation remained in limbo Friday, stalled by tight vote counts, partisan squabbling and fresh veto threats from the White House. Floor consideration was likely to be delayed until Saturday at best. Democrats at midday were considering making changes to the energy tax package (H.R. 2776) to placate oil-state Democrats upset about treatment of the oil and gas industry.

Washington, DC (August 2, 2007)- House Democrats face a tough call on whether to go forward with an energy policy bill paired with a contentious, separate package of energy tax measures targeting the oil and gas industry. Democrats are confident they will have the votes Friday to pass an energy measure (H.R. 3221) to provide incentives for energy efficiency, spur research and investment in new technology, and tighten regulation of the oil and gas industry.

Washington, DC (July 27, 2007)- The 2007 Farm Bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives today. The bill, passed by a vote of 231-191, increases funding for conservation, nutrition, and renewable energy. Conservation spending is increased by $4.6 billion, nutrition program spending by $4 billion, and renewable energy efforts by $2.5 billion.

Washington, DC (July 18, 2007)- The House passed the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill of 2008 (H.R. 2641, H. Rept. 110-85) on July 17 by a vote of 312-112. The House Bill appropriates $1.98 billion for Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE/RE) programs for FY 2008, $742 million (60%) more than the Administration's FY 2008 request of $1.23 billion and $504 million more than FY 07 enacted. Congressionally directed activities were funded by the House at $104.3 million.

Washington, DC (July 12, 2007)- House appropriators approved a report to the fiscal 2008 Energy-Water spending bill Thursday containing almost $1.1 billion in earmarks requested solely by members. The Appropriations Committee quickly approved the report by voice vote with no discussion or debate. The report is expected to be folded into the $31.6 billion spending bill (HR 2641) on the House floor early next week.

Washington, DC (July 12, 2007)- A broad bi-partisan coalition from both chambers of Congress will join together today to celebrate the first "green" building on Capitol Hill and talk about legislative efforts to advance green building construction in the United States.

Washington, DC (July 11, 2007)- Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Montana) has introduced legislation to provide an $800 million emergency trust fund for the Forest Service and Interior Department to fight wildfires without diverting funds from other agency programs, a practice that has become commonplace in recent years. The money, to be supplemented in future years, would be used to cover 80 percent of firefighting costs above the annual appropriated amount.

Washington, DC (July 1, 2007)- The US Forest Service has released information about the redesign and reorganization of the agency's State and Private Forestry division, responsible for assistance to non-federal forest lands, including urban forests.

Washington, DC (June 28, 2007)- House Democratic leaders proclaimed a goal of "energy independence" today. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said energy-related bills reported out of 11 committees would steer the nation in a "new direction" by spurring research and investment in new technologies, increasing energy efficiency, reducing costs for consumers and creating "good green jobs."

Washington, DC (June 28, 2007)- This week Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (CA-32), introduced the Green Jobs Act of 2007 (H.R. 2847). The Green Jobs Act represents a smart, far-sighted effort to fight poverty at the same time by creating federally-funded job training within the green economy. On Wednesday, the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee passed her bill by a bipartisan vote of 26 to 18. This is the first step in the House toward providing job training every year for about 35,000 U.S. workers (and would-be workers) in green and clean industries.

Washington, DC (June 28, 2007)- H.R. 2895, introduced by Barney Frank (D-MA), would establish the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the Treasury of the United States to provide for the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of decent, safe, and affordable housing for low-income families. Such assistance would include grants, loans, and interest rate buy-downs. Budgetary resources for the new trust fund would be provided by other legislation.

By Catharine Richert

Washington, DC (June 28, 2007)- The farm bill's funding squeeze has divided the typically bipartisan House Agriculture Committee and is threatening to drive a wedge through the Democratic Caucus. Party leaders are concerned the money crunch will incite an intraparty squabble on the House floor because the bill is not likely to satisfy many Democrats outside of the Agriculture panel, aides say.

Washington, DC (June 27, 2007)- By a vote of 26 to 18, the House Education and Labor Committee passed legislation today to help train American workers for jobs in the renewable energy and energy-efficiency industries, industries that are key to U.S. and world efforts to combat global warming.

Washington, DC (June 27, 2007)- The Democratic Blue Dog Coalition unveiled an endorsed set of principles, the "Blue Dog Energy Principles," to guide Congress as it works to rewrite the nation's energy policy. The principles were endorsed by the Coalition as a moderate and comprehensive approach to our nation's energy policy that emphasizes a focus on national and economic security. The principles represent a broad range of stakeholders, with the underlying belief that our country's current reliance on foreign energy supplies threatens our national security and our ability to compete in the global marketplace.

Washington, DC (June 25, 2007)- The full House of Representatives is scheduled to consider H.R. 2643, The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008. It would fund various bureaus in the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Agriculture, including the US Forest Service.

Washington, DC (June 22, 2007)- The Draft Forest Service Open Space Conservation Strategy is now available for public review and comment. A Federal Register Notice inviting public comment was published on June 22nd, and comments will be accepted until July 23rd.

Washington, DC (June 21, 2007)- Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) secured amendments to the Clean Energy Act (H.R. 6) that help small businesses increase their energy efficiency. The amendments also hold the Bush Administration accountable for failing to provide tools that will help small businesses reduce their dependency on fossil fuels.

Washington, DC (June 19, 2007)- Senators Snow (R-ME) and Kerry (D-MA) introduced S. 1656 to authorize loans for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency projects under the Express Loan Program of the Small Business Administration, and S. 1657 to establish a small business energy efficiency program which will provide grants for newly established Small Business Development Centers and a small business telecommuting support program.

Washington, DC (June 18, 2007)- ACT is working with Congresswoman Matsui (D-CA) to create a program in the Department of Energy (DOE) to help utilities and nonprofit organizations plant shade trees for energy efficiency. Modeled after Sacramento Municipal Utility District's successful partnership with Sacramento Tree Foundation, Rep. Matsui's bill would provide focused support from DOE to plant trees in locations where direct energy savings can be achieved.

Washington, DC (September 26, 2007)- U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-7), lead the charge to include more energy efficiency standards in a bill reauthorizing the HOPE VI public housing program (H.R. 3524). In the September 26, 2007, House Financial Services Committee markup, Perlmutter, as chair of the Financial Services Committee Energy Efficiency Task Force, spearheaded the inclusion of provisions requiring public housing authorities to institute Green Communities, LEED, or other similarly approved energy efficiency building standards, in all new public housing developments built in accordance with the HOPE VI public housing program. This ACT sponsored legislation is the first time federal legislation has referenced Green Communities.

Washington, DC (June 11, 2007)- This week, the Senate will debate H.R. 6, The Clean Energy Act of 2007, which is intended to reduce the United States' dependency on foreign oil a number of ways. It would spend money on clean, renewable, and alternative energy resources, on promoting new emerging energy technologies, and on developing greater efficiency.

Washington, DC (June 11, 2007)- A bill recently passed by the House of Representatives (H.R. 1427) that strengthens the federal financial oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac includes a provision giving the companies extra credit toward meeting their affordable housing goals for purchasing mortgages on properties that are energy efficient or otherwise environmentally sustainable.

Washington, DC (May 23, 2007) - House appropriators approved the fiscal 2008 budget for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies in a voice vote today. The measure provides $2.6 billion for the USDA Forest Service, including a $31.1 million budget item for the Urban and Community Forestry Program. For U&CF, that amounts to a $1 million increase from last year's enacted budget and $13 million more than the budget proposed by the President in the 2008 Administration budget released in February.

Towanda, PA (May 23, 2007)- A proposal in pending new farm legislation, with co-sponsorship in the House by Rep. Chris Carney of the 10th District, and in the Senate by Sen. Bob Casey Jr., would provide for more equitable funding while promoting cleaner water and air through conservation measures.

Washington, DC (May 22, 2007)- House Agriculture Subcommittees began marking up several titles in the upcoming farm bill including conservation, energy, and credit. Chairman Peterson (D-MN) plans full committee markup of the whole bill before the July 4th break. The Senate has held several hearings and has seen many marker bills on the farm bill, but has not started markup. Many groups have predicted that the Senate will start markup of its version of the farm bill in June.

Washington, DC (May 18, 2007)- The High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2007 (S.506), introduced by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) with eight co-sponsors, seeks to establish an Office of Green Building Performance within the General Services Administration (GSA) to develop and implement a consistent green building standard for use by federal agencies. Similar bills and their sponsors include:
* Green Buildings Act of 2007 (S.489)- Sen. John Warner (R-VA)
* High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2007 (H.R. 121)- Reps. Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Mary Bono (R-CA)
* Reductions for Energy Efficient New Buildings Act (S. 1207)- Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
* Buildings for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 539)- Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA)

Washington, DC (May 7, 2007)- Actions expected soon by the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Housing and Urban Development should encourage more affordable housing developers to incorporate cost-saving, energy- and water-efficient technologies, systems and appliances into their developments.

Washington, DC (April 27, 2007)- Five retired Forest Service Chiefs spoke out this week to Congress regarding the need for better budgeting to protect the nation's forests from fire risk. As forest fires have become more intense and costly, the Forest Service has had to borrow money from other programs, such as Research and State and Private Forestry to cover fire-fighting expenses. Former Chiefs heading the agency from 1979 to 2007 urged Congress to finance emergency firefighting outside of the FS discretionary budget, and expressed concern with the Administration's FY 2008 budget for non-fire related programs.

Washington, DC (April 17, 2007)- Senator Collins (R-ME) introduced Suburban and Community Forestry and Open Space Program Act of 2007 to amend the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to establish a program to provide assistance to States and nonprofit organizations to preserve suburban forest land and open space and contain suburban sprawl through forest management and value-added forest products industries.

Washington, DC (April 12, 2007)- The U.S. Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program is at risk this year of receiving a 38% budget cut, affecting all state agency programs delivered to localities.

Deadline for action is April 30, 2007.

Washington, DC (March 30, 2007)- Senator Durbin of Illinois has issued a bipartisan letter of support, cosigned by 23 other Senators, urging adequate funding for the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service to contain and eradicate exotic and invasive pests.

Washington, DC (March 29, 2007)- The House of Representatives approved H.Con.Res. 99, the House Budget Resolution, by a vote of 216 to 210. The Resolution, which presents a total federal budget of $2.9 trillion, provided for an increase of $2.6 billion over the President's budget for Natural Resources (known as Function 300), which includes programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund (federal and state-side), the Forest Legacy Program, the Cooperative Endangered Species Fund, and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.

Take Action Now

Washington, DC (March 19, 2007)- The President's budget for the Forest Service includes a cut of 38% to the popular Urban and Community Forestry Program (U&CF). If enacted, this would provide only $17.4 million nationwide for the U&CF program, far less than at any time in the program's history since 1990.

Washington, DC (March 5, 2007)- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released a memo to all of its regional water division offices emphasizing the value of green infrastructure as a tool for addressing water quality.

By Matthew Daly
Associated Press

Washington, DC (February 14, 2007)- New Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell received a less than gracious welcome Tuesday as she appeared before Congress for the first time as chief. Defending the president's spending request for the next budget year, Kimbell came under fire from all sides.

Urban and Community Forestry Cut by 38%

Washington, DC (February 5, 2007)- The President's budget was released today. State and Private Forestry programs received an overall 11% reduction. Several cooperative forestry programs received sharper cuts, including Urban and Community Forestry, which received a 38% cut in the Administration's budget. If enacted, this would result in a $17.4 million national budget for the U&CF program. The budget in FY 2006 and 2007 was roughly $28 million.

Washington, DC (February 1, 2007)- The House passed a joint resolution (HJ Res20) on January 31, providing $463.5 billion in appropriations for fiscal year 2007. The package funds most programs at 2006 levels with several exceptions, including increases in education, housing, and health programs.

Washington, DC (January 31, 2007)- The House is expected to vote on a continuing resolution funding through the end of fiscal year 2007, all federal government programs and agencies whose appropriations bills have yet to pass. This includes the Interior budget, which funds all Forest Service programs, including Urban and Community Forestry.

Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth Announces his Retirement

Washington (January 12, 2007)- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the selection of Abigail Kimbell as the 16th chief of the Forest Service. Kimbell succeeds Chief Dale Bosworth, who is retiring on Feb. 2 after 41 years with the Forest Service.

Washington, DC (December 26, 2006)- The Forest Service recently announced a request for comments on its Open Space Strategy and Implementation plan. ACT filed comments that centered on the value of the agency's Urban and Community Forestry Program as a source of expertise that will be critical to the agency's success in tackling the issue of open space fragmentation and loss.

Washington, DC (December 18, 2006)- At the state level, partners are anticipating continued pressure on the federal budget for urban & community forestry, which has suffered five years of steady cuts. The outlook for next year's FY 2008 federal budget is also poor. State urban forestry programs, in an effort to grow, are looking to state governors and general assemblies for budget support.

Washington, DC (December, 9, 2006)- Both the House and Senate approved and the President signed a continuing resolution (HJ Res102), which would fund those federal agencies whose appropriations bills have yet to pass, at the lowest of FY 2006, House passed, or Senate passed levels until February 15th.

Washington, DC (December 11, 2006)- The outlook for the FY 2008 budget for Urban and Community Forestry is expected to be poor. State and Private Forestry programs are thought likely to receive sharp cuts in the FY 2008 budget, which the President will officially release in early February.

Cooperative programs including Forest Stewardship, Forest Legacy, and Urban and Community Forestry may receive significant budget reductions. While it is still too early to say how sharp the cuts may be, state agencies are preparing for the worst. Last year, the President's budget request for the FY 2007 U&CF Program was $26.8 million.

Washington, DC (November 27, 2006)- Congress may not pass appropriations legislation until next year, when newly elected members will join the 110th Congress on January 4th. Only two FY 2007 budgets - defense and homeland security - were passed during the current session. All other agencies are now operating under continuing resolutions, which fund federal programs in the absence of FY 2007 appropriations.

Washington, DC (November 13, 2006)- Last week's election will change the composition of the appropriations committees that fund federal forestry programs, including the USDA Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry program. Several senior appropriators were not re-elected, resulting in vacancies, and additional openings may be created if current members take on new committee assignments.

Washington, DC (September 29, 2006)- The Senate approved the FY 07 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill (HR 5631), including a continuing resolution to keep the federal government running until the respective appropriations bills are passed. Only Defense and Homeland Security spending bills have been enacted. The continuing resolution sets funding at the lowest of the House-passed, Senate-passed or fiscal 2006 levels. Included in the bill is $200 million in emergency wildfire suppression funding that will help repay borrowed funds within the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior. To date, over 9 million acres have burned and spending to suppress these fires has exceeded $1.265 billion, exhausting both regular appropriation of $760 million and $500 million in emergency funds carried over from last year. Interior has spent $365 million.

Washington, DC (August 23, 2006)- Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced that Arlen Lancaster, a former Republican Hill staffer, will take over the management of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which oversees most of the farm bill conservation programs. Lancaster takes over for Bruce Knight, who was promoted last month to be USDA's undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs.

Washington, DC (July 18, 2006)- The full Senate will soon vote on Appropriations for the Interior and Related Agencies. This bill includes the FY 2007 budget for the US Forest Service. Senate appropriators have budgeted $27.6 million for the Urban and Community Forestry Program.

Washington, DC (July 18, 2006)- The full Senate will soon vote on Appropriations for the Interior and Related Agencies. This bill includes the FY 2007 budget for the US Forest Service. Senate appropriators have budgeted $27.6 million for the Urban and Community Forestry Program.

Once the Senate passes its bill, the Senate and House will form a conference committee to finalize the FY 2007 Appropriations for Interior and Related Agencies. The conference committee's job is to come up with a joint compromise between the House and Senate versions.

We need your help to reach members of the Senate as well as the Chair and Ranking Member for both the House and Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittees.

Washington, DC (June 29, 2006)- The Senate Subcommittee for Interior Appropriations met Tuesday to mark up their version of the Forest Service budget. Early word is that the Senate provided $27,596,000 for the Urban and Community Forestry Program Budget in FY2007. That is above the President's request of $26.8 million, but below the FY2006 enacted budget of $28.9 million. The full Senate appropriations committee meeting is June 29th, so there may be minor changes or earmarks.

(June 27, 2006) The Senate Interior and Related Agencies Subcommittee (Chairman Burns, R-MT) of the Senate Appropriations Committee will mark up the 2007 appropriations bill for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies. This appropriations bill includes funding for the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the EPA. The Appropriations Committee set the subcommittee's budget allocation at $26 billion.

At the June 2006 US Conference of Mayors conference in Las Vegas, the nation's mayors passed two resolutions that recognize the importance of urban forests. Thanks to the efforts of Tree New Mexico and Tree Trust of Minnesota, Mayor Chavez of Albuquerque and Mayor Rybak of Minneapolis both sponsored the budget resolution in support of increasing the federal budget for urban forestry. This is the first time that the US Conference of Mayors has passed a resolution that specifies budget targets for federal investments in urban forest health.

(May 4, 2006) The USDA-Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program (U&CF) received $29.513 in the FY 2007 House appropriations bill that funds the Forest Service.

For urban forestry practitioners, Chief Bosworth's Earth Day speech at UC Berkeley contained encouraging signs about the Forest Service's vision for the future. Bosworth commented, "Where ecosystems are in trouble, our role is to restore them to health." The chief recognized the increasing role that the agency will need to play to address the health of non-federal forest lands. Private forest lands are increasingly falling under development, resulting in forest fragmentation and net loss to the nation's forest resources.

The federal budget for the Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry program is at stake - we need your help.

For the last five years, the Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry program has steadily lost funding. The President's budget for Fiscal Year 2007 proposes just $26.8 million for the U&CF Program -- that's nearly $10 million less than the FY 2003 budget. This is a tough budget year - we need to let lawmakers know that the Urban and Community Forestry Program is important to us.

On March 29th, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced that the USDA completed a summary of the public comments submitted verbally and in writing during USDA's Farm Bill Forum listening tour. The agency conducted 66 hours of listening sessions across the country in 52 forums and accepted additional comment in writing. The summaries will serve as a basis for USDA policy review and analysis in preparation for the 2007 farm bill.

On February 6th, the President released his FY 2007 budget recommendations to Congress. The budget proposes $2 million in cuts to the national Urban and Community Forestry program operated by the USDA-Forest Service.

(Washington, DC, June 20, 2005) The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2006 Interior and Related Agencies appropriations bill on June 9 (HR 2361).

(Washington, DC, August 16, 2004). This past winter, Congress conducted a national investigation of the Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry program.

Washington, DC (April 16, 2001)- The National Alliance for Community Trees is a national network of urban conservation organizations dedicated to urban forest protection and care. Our testimony focuses on the Urban and Community Forestry Program within USDA FS State and Private Forestry. We support this program because it provides critical financial and technical assistance to urban communities struggling to address environmental health and ecosystem management issues at the landscape level.

Washington, DC (October 30, 2000)- Improving livability was a goal of citizens in many communities in the last election cycle. Even greater voter interest in livable communities and growth-related issues can be expected in the 2000 elections. The increasing presence and success of smart growth candidates and ballot initiatives indicate that voters have become more aware of and educated about growth-related issues and the impact they have on our lives.

Washington, DC (September 15, 2009)- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced that Senate Democrats may wait until 2010 to take up climate change legislation because of the competing priorities of health care and financial regulatory reform. Reid said, "We are going to have a busy, busy time the rest of this year, and, of course, nothing terminates at the end of this year. We still have next year to complete things if we have to."

By Suzanne Goldenberg

Washington, DC (July 9, 2009)- Barack Obama hit a snag in his ambitious climate change agenda today when Senate Democrats pushed back their deadline to produce a draft bill until September. Barbara Boxer, the chair of the environment and public works committee who is spearheading the Obama environment agenda, said she had scaled back plans of writing a first draft of a climate change bill before Congress goes on its August recess.

By Christopher Doering

Washington, DC (June 12, 2009)- The climate change bill being drafted in the U.S. House is ripe for improvement, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Thursday, but he vowed farms and forests will play a central role in controlling greenhouse gases despite skepticism among lawmakers. U.S. farm groups, along with Democrats and Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee, have been sharply critical of the bill they say threatens to leave farmers in the lurch.

Washington, DC (April 21, 2009)- The House Energy and Commerce Committee began hearings to debate a bill that would cap greenhouse gas emissions at 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and at 83 percent by 2050. The draft proposal by Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA) provides for a cap and trade program and includes measures such as efficiency standards, a national renewable electricity standard and a low-carbon fuel standard.

Washington, DC (December 20, 2008)- President-elect Barack Obama announced his selection of John Holdren as the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Jane Lubchenco as the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "It's time we once again put science at the top of our agenda and worked to restore America's place as the world leader in science and technology," said Obama.

Chicago, IL (December 10, 2008)- An official with the Obama transition team announced the President-elect has chosen candidates for the posts of Energy Secretary, Adminstrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and new senior post within the White House on climate and energy policy. Nobel prize-winning physicist Steven Chu will head the Department of Energy, while former head of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Lisa Jackson will lead the EPA and former EPA administrator Carol Browner will be the in-house expert.

Washington, DC (December 3, 2008)- The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions rose 1.3 percent in 2007 after a 1.4 percent drop in 2006. The increase in emissions was attributed to a rise in fossil fuel use in 2007 due to a warmer summer and colder winter, which increased the demand for air conditioning and heating.

Washington, DC (December 2, 2008)- The United States General Accountability Office (GAO) released a report that questioned the effectiveness of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by wealthy countries investing in clean-energy projects in poor nations. The European Union has utilized this offset strategy through the UN Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) program and has found little success according to the report, Lessons Learned from the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme and the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism.

Washington, DC (November 21, 2008)- Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced she would reauthorize the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming for the 111th Congress. Chaired by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), the panel held over 50 hearings on the impacts of climate change in many sectors, from national security to job creation. While the committee does not have legislative authority, its role is "to investigate, study, make findings, and develop recommendations on policies, strategies, technologies and other innovations, intended to reduce the dependence of the United States on foreign sources of energy and achieve substantial and permanent reductions in emissions and other activities that contribute to climate change and global warming."

Washington, DC (November 20, 2008)- Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) replaced Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) as Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 137-122 in a meeting of the House Democratic Caucus. The transfer of power is likely to lead to accelerated passage of climate legislation. Waxman represents Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and areas of West Los Angeles, and has long been a supporter of clean air legislation. "I went before the caucus and argued we needed a change in leadership and the public was clamoring for the change," Waxman said.

Washington, DC (November 15, 2008)- ICELI and SaveOurEnvironment recently unveiled climate action funding recommendations, while their Policy TaskGroup also compiled a broader list of requests, many of which specifically cite urban and community forestry and green infrastructure.

The following editorial from today's BBC news online talks about climate legislation currently being considered in the UK. Interestingly, it also discusses the importance of local communities to achieving carbon reduction goals. This article is relevant to issues here with how city forestry can be engaged more to count toward climate goals. This same discussion and debate about the role of local communities in addressing climate change is also underway in the United States. Perhaps there are opportunities for experiential and knowledge exchange between us and our friends across the pond. Thanks to American Forests for their work on this.

Washington, DC (September 24, 2008)- U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter and the New Democrat Coalition's Energy Task Force have unveiled the 21st Century Energy Technology Deployment Act to establish a Clean Energy Investment Bank. With soaring energy prices and consumers feeling the pain at the gas pump, the New Democrat Coalition's Energy Task Force introduced legislation that will help diversify the nation's energy portfolio and bring down energy prices.

Sacramento, CA (September 17, 2008)- California state regulators released an economic analysis of the state's global warming plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions down to 1990 levels and concluded that by 2020, there would be an increase in the state's gross product by $4 billion, 100,000 additional jobs, and an increase in per capita income of $200.

Washington, DC (September 16, 2008)- Both presidential candidates say that if they are elected in November, they will fight global warming by reducing carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020, using methods that include a cap-and-trade system, but then their positions begin to diverge. The candidates gave answers in response to 14 questions posed by a new organization ScienceDebate2008 that is attempting to raise the profile of science in this presidential election.

Washington, DC (August 10, 2008)- The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability announced a partnership with 21 US cities to assist in the reporting of their greenhouse gas emissions and other relevant data. New York City is among the cities participating, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, "The City of New York joins the world's leading corporations in providing a complete, accurate accounting of its carbon emissions, the strategies it is employing to mitigate those emissions, and the results of its efforts through the Carbon Disclosure Project and ICLEI... Working together, and with the best data, we can manage this problem, and leave our children and grandchildren a healthier and more sustainable planet."

Washington, DC (June 6, 2008)- By a vote of 48-36, the Senate failed to invoke cloture (cut off a filibuster) on the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008 (S. 3036). Sixty votes are required to achieve cloture and limit debate- 16 Senators were not present to vote. The vote was specifically on cloture for Senator Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) substitute amendment (S.A. 4825) to the bill. The legislation would cap emissions of greenhouse gases from covered sources at 19 percent below current levels by 2020 and 71 percent below current levels in 2050. It would set up a market-based trading program for businesses to meet the cap.

Washington, DC (May 28, 2008)- Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), Chair of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, announced he will introduce a climate change bill to reduce global warming pollution according to scientific targets, reinvest any revenue back to American workers and technology, and re-establish America as a leader in addressing climate change. The Investing in Climate Action and Protection Act (iCAP) caps greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at 85 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.

Washington, DC (May 21, 2008)- Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee released energy and climate principles that they believe will allow the United States to continue to prosper while moving toward fuel diversity and clean energy. The principles are the product of the Energy Security and Climate Change Task Force convened by Rep. Joe Barton (R-T) and headed by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI). The six principles are: Lower Gasoline Prices; Unlock Domestic Energy Resources Immediately; American Economy and American Jobs Come First; More Clean Energy; Get Smart about Energy Efficiency; and Share Technology with Developing World.

Washington, DC (May 8, 2008)- The House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming held a hearing entitled "Negawatts: The Role of Efficiency Policies in Climate Legislation." It examined the potential role of complementary efficiency policies, particularly for the electric power sector, in promoting low-cost emission reductions under a federal greenhouse gas (GHG) cap-and-trade system. The five witnesses stressed the importance and need for the Federal government to bring all states together and to include energy efficiency in any carbon program that is adopted.

Washington, DC (May 8, 2008)- Environment America released a report showing that the United States could meet all of its current electricity needs with large central concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. The report, "On the Rise: Solar Thermal Power and the Fight Against Global Warming," finds that these solar thermal power plants, covering a 100 by 100 mile area in the Southwest- slightly more than what's already been excavated in the United States for coal strip mining- could power the entire nation while cutting global warming emissions.

Washington, DC (May 6, 2008)- Nobel Peace laureates and co-founders of the Nobel Women's Initiative, met to discuss their vision of 'climate justice'- an approach to climate change that recognizes differential responsibilities for developed and developing countries, and puts the rights of people, especially women, at the center of the climate debate.

Washington, DC (April 30, 2008)- A poll was released showing that two-thirds of all U.S. adults (66 percent) believe it is important that the next US president have a policy which addresses climate change, 44 percent believe it is extremely or very important and 14 percent believe it is not at all important. Sixty-three percent say it is important that the new president initiates strong action to address global warming and climate change soon after taking office.

Washington, DC (April 9, 2008)- About 40 Republican Senators met privately to discuss their views on climate change and related legislation. The meeting started efforts to find a common position among the party on global warming, an issue on which Republicans have been sharply divided. Climate change has taken on a greater urgency within Republican circles now that all three major presidential candidates support mandatory controls of greenhouse gases. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, said, "We need to take climate change and clean air on as an urgent issue."

Washington, DC (March 14, 2008)- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a 189-page analysis of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008 (S. 2191). The analysis includes ten different scenarios to evaluate a range of assumptions and key parameters. EPA found that under S. 2191 total US GHG emissions are approximately 40 percent lower than reference case emissions in 2030 (11 percent below 1990 levels) and 56 percent lower in 2050 (25 percent below 1990 levels). S.2191 covers 82 percent of total US GHG emissions in both 2030 and 2050.

By J.R. Pegg

Washington, DC (January 10, 2008)- Concern about environmental degradation is beginning to impact the global economy, according to a new report by an international environmental research group. The Worldwatch Institute details a lengthy and distressing list of environmental problems caused by the global economic system, but finds some evidence that the world is taking small steps toward a sustainable future.

Washington, DC (January 8, 2008)- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a workshop to examine the emerging market for carbon-offsets in the United States. Carbon-offsets are generally classified as money pledged to reduce carbon emissions through different means, such as planting trees. With these programs growing so quickly, "There's a heightened potential for deception," said Deborah Platt Majoras, the FTC chairwoman.

Washington, DC (January 2, 2008)- Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship urged the Bush Administration to invest more resources to help small businesses become more energy efficient and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Des Moines, IA (December 21, 2007)- Four out of five Iowans believe energy conservation and fuel efficiency should be the focus of state efforts to meet electricity demand before new coal-burning power plants are built, according to a new public opinion poll. Iowa officials are contemplating two coal-fired facilities proposed for construction near Waterloo and Marshalltown. The majority that supports the "conservation/energy efficiency first" approach includes 69 percent of Republicans, 86 percent of Democrats, and 79 percent of Independents, the survey found.

Washington, DC (December 18, 2007)- The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), a nonpartisan environmental group, released its 2008 Presidential Primaries Voter Guide. The report and related website are based on the contenders' responses to an environmental questionnaire- and also whether they've made public a plan to address climate change. According to the survey, the top Democratic presidential candidates and Republican John McCain (R-AZ) are leading on the issue of energy security and climate change.

Washington, DC (December 12, 2007)- The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform issued a report that alleges the White House manipulated scientific information regarding climate change to downplay its threats and effects. Specifically, the Committee concluded that the White House censored statements and congressional testimony made by federal scientists regarding climate change. Additionally, media requests to speak with scientists on the subject of climate change were sent to the White House Council on Environmental Quality, a different policy compared to other media requests, said Kent Laborde, a career public affairs officer at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Washington, DC (December 12, 2007)- The World Bank announced that it is launching a $300 million forest carbon fund aimed at preventing the destruction of the world's forests. "Deforestation and changes in land use are the second leading cause of global warming," World Bank President Robert Zoellick said. "If we don't focus on retaining the world's remaining tropical forests, we drastically narrow the options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

Washington, DC (December 12, 2007)- The House of Representatives passed the Defense Authorization Bill, including for the first time a provision requiring that the effects of global warming be taken into consideration for future defense planning. The provision, Section 951, was derived from the Markey-Bartlett Global Climate Change Security Oversight Act (H.R. 1961), which was introduced in spring 2007.

Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia (December 11, 2007) - A new multi-million dollar fund to compensate developing countries for the value of their living forests was launched today by the World Bank at the United Nations climate conference in Bali. The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility was developed because forests are more important left standing than cut down, said World Bank Group President Robert Zoellick, introducing the new facility. As a natural function, trees absorb carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas.

New York, NY (December 2007)- A study carried out and published in the McKinsey Quarterly, based on a survey of 2,192 executives from around the world, shows that while business leaders consider climate change important, little is being done to reduce company greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Washington, DC (November 28, 2007)- The House Climate Change Caucus held a Congressional briefing on America's Climate Security Act (S. 2191) and discussed changes that have been made to the bill under the Chair's markup of the bill. The Chair's mark was released by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chairwoman of the Environment and Public Works Committee. Senators on the Environment Committee will likely vote on the bill when it is marked up in committee on December 5-6.

New York (November 28, 2007)- The New York City Council passed a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction bill that puts into law carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions goals that were laid out in Mayor Michael Bloomberg's sustainability plan last April. The Climate Protection Act requires that CO2 from city government buildings and vehicles be cut 30 percent from current levels by 2017. Moreover, it requires that carbon emissions from the entire city, including privately owned buildings, be reduced by 30 percent by the year 2030.

New York (November 26, 2007)- The United Nations may change its rules beginning in 2013 regarding eligible technologies for emissions trading in an effort to convince the United States to join international efforts to address climate change. Halldor Thorgeirsson, the head of emissions trading at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said he is unsure which technologies would be backed by the United Nations, but one potential candidate could be carbon capture and sequestration, which could "allow for significant scaling up" of emission trading.

New York (November 19, 2007)- According to a study commissioned by the United Nations Foundation, leading industrial nations- the G8 and Plus 5 countries in particular- could avert the most serious climate effects by reducing carbon levels, simply by cutting wasted energy.

Washington, DC (November 15, 2007)- Congress is now taking climate change fairly seriously. To see how the mood in Congress is changing on global warming, look no further than America's Climate Security Act (ACSA). This is a bill that seeks to limit and ultimately slash America's emissions of greenhouse gases. For one thing, it is sponsored by John Warner, a Republican who once opposed all such measures. For another, it has won the support of Max Baucus, a senator from Montana, whose coal-mining constituents hate the idea. It has already cleared more legislative hurdles than any of the many previous bills on global warming.

Washington, DC (November 13, 2007)- The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its "National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency Vision for 2025," which provides a framework for states, utilities and other stakeholders to consider when seeking policies and programs to achieve all cost effective energy efficiency measures. More than 60 energy, environmental, and other organizations- including 30 electric and gas utilities and 17 state agencies-collaborated on the report, which says energy efficiency measures could save Americans more than $500 billion in energy costs over 25 years and reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 90 million vehicles.

Geneva (November 12, 2007)- UN officials reported that millions of jobs could be lost due to climate change, but that in the meantime jobs will be created in the environmental technology sector as industries work to avoid and lessen the effects of climate change.

Washington, DC (November 6, 2007)- The Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee met November 1 for markup of "America's Climate Security Act," S.2191, a bill introduced by Senators John Warner (R-VA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through a cap-and-trade program. A manager's amendment was approved, which added restrictions for GHG emissions from natural gas supplied to residential and commercial buildings, as well as a provision for a mandatory EPA review at least every 5 years to ensure emission levels are meeting recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences.

Washington, DC (November 1, 2007)- This Vision for the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency establishes a goal of achieving all cost-effective energy efficiency by 2025, presents ten implementation goals for states, utilities, and other stakeholders to consider to achieve this goal, describes what 2025 might look like if the goal is achieved, and provides a means for measuring progress. It is a framework for implementing the five policy recommendations of the Action Plan, announced in July 2006, which can be modified and improved over time.

Washington, DC (October 31, 2007)- The Senate held a hearing to look at the financial risks and opportunities posed by climate risk disclosure. Chairman of the Securities, Insurance, and Investment subcommittee Jack Reed (D-RI) began the hearing by noting that while many businesses regard climate change as posing both a commercial risk and an important business opportunity, climate risk disclosure is very rare. "Markets work best when they have accurate information," Sen. Reed stated. "Informational transparency is therefore vitally important if financial markets are to price climate risks and opportunities efficiently."

Washington, DC (October 23, 2007)- The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing to investigate the human health risks associated with global warming. The witnesses included Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who testified that it is not a question of whether there will be health effects from global warming, but rather "it's a question of who, where, when and how."

Victoria, Canada (October 6, 2007)- A study published in Geophysical Research Letters finds that global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to zero by 2050 in order to remain within a 2°C rise in the average global temperature due to global warming. An increase of 2°C above pre-industrial temperatures has been cited by the European Union as the threshold beyond which the world will face "dangerous" climate change.

New Haven, CT (October 3, 2007)- Recent polls have found there is a growing concern among Americans regarding global warming, and the majority of people would be willing to pay more in taxes to support local government efforts to help. In a September poll conducted by the Associated Press and Yale University, most Americans said they would be willing to pay more in property taxes, home costs and utility fees to support initiatives to encourage people to use less energy and rely on alternative sources for their energy.

Washington, DC (October 3, 2007)- Representative John Dingell (D-Michigan), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rick Boucher (D-Virginia), chairman of the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee released the first in a series of climate change white papers. The papers are intended to focus discussion in the Committee as they move towards development of comprehensive climate change legislation.

Washington, DC (October 2, 2007)- The EPA released a report that compares the long-term impacts of three different climate change bills being proposed in the Senate. By the end of the century, the EPA reports, each of the three bills will reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere by 23 to 25 parts per million (ppm). The three bills, one proposed by Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Arlen Specter (R-PA), another by Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-VT) and John McCain (R-AZ), and the third by Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), each call for a cap on CO2 emissions for cars, industry, and power plants with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 60-65 percent by mid-century.

Washington, DC (September 18, 2007)- Progress in the House on a global warming bill could be delayed as lawmakers struggle to complete separate energy policy legislation, according to the chairman of a House subcommittee drafting a climate-change measure. The House and Senate are working to resolve differences between comprehensive energy bills they passed earlier this year (HR 6, HR 3221). Meanwhile, lawmakers in both chambers are expected to introduce global warming legislation that will be considered later this year.

Washington, DC (September 8, 2007)- U.S. Forest Service Chief, Abigail Kimbell, has proposed using national forests to fight global warming in two ways: using wood waste as a biofuel and planting more trees to absorb CO2. The Forest Service estimates that U.S. forests, which include both public and private lands, offset about 10 percent of the nation's carbon emissions. Kimbell suggested doubling that amount by 2020.

Washington, DC (September 6, 2007)- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report detailing the changes made to the nation's parks, forests, marine sanctuaries, and monuments as a result of global warming. Some effects cited in the report include increased glacier melting in Glacier National Park, sea level rise and coral bleaching in the Florida Keys, and non-native grasses replacing shrubs in the Mojave Desert, fueling hotter and larger wildfires in Arizona.

Washington, DC (September 4, 2007)- While a number of climate change bills have been introduced in both the House and the Senate, it appears the Senate will be the first to act on cap and trade climate change legislation. In the weeks leading up to the August recess, Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Connecticut) and John Warner (R-Virginia) took the lead in drafting a framework for legislation to be introduced to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection, of which they are chairman and ranking member, respectively.

By Craig Hanson and Diana Profir

Washington, DC (August 20, 2007)- There are many benefits motivating businesses in Europe to switch to renewable energy. The World Resources Institute explores those reasons in further detail, making the case to businesses, why green power markets make sense.

By Craig Hanson

Washington, DC (August 3, 2007)- Taxing carbon while reducing payroll taxes is a simple and efficient way to address global warming and stimulate the economy. In the coming months, Congress will consider several policy approaches to address global warming. While cap and trade policies have been most prominent thus far, there is another approach that also deserves serious consideration: green tax reforms, such as a green employment tax swap. Green tax reforms can work hand-in-hand with other approaches (like cap and trade) to create a comprehensive policy framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Washington, DC (August 1, 2007)- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that a proposal by Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and John McCain (R-AZ) to cap U.S. greenhouse gas emissions would reduce US GDP by no more than 1.6 percent by 2030. The proposed legislation, the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007 (S.280), aims to cut CO2 emissions to 35 percent of 1990 levels by 2050.

Washington, DC (July 30, 2007)- Chairman Edward Markey (D-MA) of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming sent a letter to Chairman Platt Majoras of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as a first step towards regulating the growing market in voluntary carbon offsets. The $100 million/year commodities market is still largely unregulated.

Washington, DC (July 18, 2007)- Congressional hearings began Tuesday on what may be the most important Clean Water Act legislation in 30 years. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee scheduled two committee hearings this week on the current state of the Clean Water Act in light of two recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions as well as administrative actions that are jeopardizing federal protections for the majority of the nation's streams, rivers, and wetlands.

Washington, DC (July 12, 2007)- Researchers at Resources for the Future have prepared a detailed comparison of major market-based climate change proposals currently under consideration in the 110th Congress. The design focuses on five major provisions of each bill/proposal: who is regulated; allocation of emissions allowances; price stability mechanisms; offset provisions; and technology incentives.

Sydney (July 12, 2007)- Australian Prime Minister John Howard promised in June to release targets for cuts in greenhouse emissions by 2008 and impose a carbon-trading program by 2012. The move is likely to increase the cost of coal-fired electricity, which will impact the carbon intensive companies that process and export Australia's natural resources.

Miami (July 12, 2007)- Florida Governor Charlie Crist, a Republican, welcomed over 600 participants and 200 members of the media to the Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change, held in Miami on July 12-13. Keynote speakers for the summit included California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Theodore Roosevelt IV, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems.

Trenton, NJ (July 6, 2007)- New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine signed the "Global Warming Response Act," distinguishing his state as the third in the union to enact a comprehensive greenhouse gas reduction law. The legislation requires the state to reduce global warming gases to 1990 levels by 2020, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 2006 levels by 2050.

Honolulu (July 5, 2007)- The Hawaii state legislature has passed The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2007, distinguishing Hawaii as the second US state after California to place a cap on greenhouse gases (GHGs). The law, which took effect on July 1, establishes a state policy to bring Hawaii's greenhouse gas emissions down to 1990 levels by 2020. The legislation contains strong language linking climate change to GHGs.

Washington, DC (July 3, 2007)- Health officials from more than a dozen countries from the Asia-Pacific region met in Malaysia to outline health problems they are experiencing related to climate change. They discussed ways to work together to limit the impact in a region expected to be hit hard by flooding, drought, heat waves, and mosquito- and waterborne diseases.

Tallahassee, FL (July 2, 2007)- A consortium of Florida utilities abandoned plans to construct the Taylor Energy Center, a controversial 800 megawatt coal-fired power plant, because of concerns about global warming. The decision was announced by Florida Governor Charlie Crist during a news conference where he promised to "identify specific actions" that Florida can take to address climate change. "We've got to have power. We know that," Crist said. "But to continue to rely on foreign oil and coal, I don't think is in the best interests of our state."

Chilton, UK (July 1, 2007)- A study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A confirms that the Sun is not the cause of recent global warming. The study, performed by Mike Lockwood, a physicist at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Chilton, UK, and Claus Frohlich of the World Radiation Center in Davos, Switzerland, shows that neither an increase in solar radiation nor a decrease in the flux of galactic cosmic rays could have caused the warming observed since 1985.

Washington, DC (June 27, 2007)- Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and John Warner (R-VA) announced that they have begun drawing upon existing proposals and new ideas, including those from the private sector, to draft a comprehensive bill to address global climate change. The new bill will aim to structure an economy wide "cap-and-trade" program that provides maximum flexibility to the marketplace to meet a level of attainable emission reductions that are environmentally credible. It will provide federal investment in new technologies, include cost-containment provisions, and ensure international participation by developing nations.

Washington, DC (June 27, 2007)- The House of Representatives, aiming to put an end to the debate over whether global warming is actually occurring, passed H.R. 2643, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008. The bill recognizes the "reality" of climate change and provides money to work on the problem.

By David L. Levy and Charles A. Jones
The Canada Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Washington, DC (June 26, 2007)- Business, especially large multinational corporations (MNCs), have de facto become a key part of the fabric of global environmental governance. In their role as investors, polluters, innovators, experts, manufacturers, lobbyists, and employers, corporations are central players in environmental issues.

Los Angeles (June 25, 2007)- Cities throughout the country, regardless of size, have initiated a host of actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, without significant support from their state and federal partners, finds a new survey released Friday during the U.S. Conference of Mayors' 75th anniversary meeting in Los Angeles.

By Rep. Ed Perlmutter

Washington, DC (June 20, 2007)- The United States has reached a point in history in which we must seek out energy independence. Although the President claims that he is committed to reducing our dependence on foreign oil, his budget greatly underfunded energy efficiency programs and stood in the way of progressive energy legislation. It is the duty and responsibility of this Congress, on behalf of the American people, to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk when it comes to energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. That is why I support H.R. 2641, the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill.

Washington, DC (June 18, 2007)- Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released a statement in response to the announcement by the leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee of revisions to their draft energy legislation.

By J.R. Pegg

Washington, DC (June 15, 2007)- A Congressional debate over energy took center stage in Washington this week, revealing deep partisan differences over the nation's energy future as well as splits within the Democratic majority on climate change and fuel economy. The Bush administration pushed plans to assess the dangers of some toxic chemicals, measure factory farm air pollution, and reduce protected habitat for the spotted owl, while federal courts rebuked the White House for a trio of environmental policies.

Washington, DC (June 11, 2007)- Congress says it is going to join the war against global warming by reducing its own emissions. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has set a goal of making House operations carbon neutral during this session of Congress, and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) has sponsored legislation with the long-term aim of making the entire Capitol complex, 23 buildings where some 15,000 people work, carbon neutral by 2020.

Deadwood, SD (June 10, 2007)- The Western Governors Association at their Annual Meeting released a report entitled "Clean Energy, a Strong Economy, and a Healthy Environment," detailing the progress states have made on the clean-energy front in just over two years. The report states that with appropriate state, regional, and federal policy support and future growth that stays consistent with the clean energy activity seen since 2004, the West will have over 80,000 megawatts of clean and diverse energy generating capacity by 2015. Western Governors have set a goal of bringing on-line 30,000 megawatts of new clean energy by 2015, increasing energy efficiency 20 percent by 2020 and providing adequate transmission for the region.

Washington, DC (June 8 2007)- The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works looked into the religious aspects of combating global warming on June 7, with witnesses on both sides of the issue championing the need to protect the world's poor. Representatives of the Episcopalians, Catholics, Southern Baptists, Reform Jews, and the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) gave testimony. Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA) said that the witnesses represented "over 100 million Americans of faith who are joining together to protect God's Creation from global warming."

Washington, DC (June 6, 2007)- Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) introduced the "Energy Independence, Clean Air and Climate Security Act" to provide an integrated approach to reducing America's dependence on foreign oil, clean the air, and address climate change. Senator Collins said, "This legislation takes an integrated approach that is much needed and long overdue if we are to address the inseparable issues that are crucial to our nation's economy, security, and to the health of our people and planet."

New York (June 1, 2007)- A stern warning that global warming is nearing an irreversible tipping point was issued today by the climate scientist who the Bush administration has tried to muzzle. James Hansen, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, today published a study showing that greenhouse gases emitted by human activities have brought the Earth's climate close to critical tipping points, with potentially dangerous consequences for the planet.

Washington, DC (May 25, 2007)- The Senate Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 includes a provision to require the Department of Defense to consider the national security risks posed by global warming in the National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy and Quadrennial Defense Review. Senator Clinton (D-NY) offered the provision as an amendment to the bill during committee markup May 24, and it was approved by a 19-6 vote.

Washington, DC (May 21, 2007)- Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) announced that he will co-sponsor the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act (S.280). The legislation, authored by Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT), will reduce the nation's greenhouse gas emissions to prevent global warming, and cap greenhouse-gas emissions of the electric power, industrial, transportation, and commercial sectors of the economy at year 2004 levels by 2012 before lowering the cap gradually to achieve one third of 2004 emissions by 2050. S.280 also would fund large-scale technology deployment, including a construction loan program for three advanced coal power plants with carbon sequestration, three nuclear reactors, and three large scale biofuels facilities that maximize cellulosic biomass use.

Chicago (May 18, 2007)- The American Bar Association has just published a new book that presents comprehensive coverage of U.S. law as it relates to global climate change. "Global Climate Change and U.S. Law," is edited by Michael Gerrard, a partner in the New York office of Arnold & Porter, where he heads the environmental practice group.

By S. Heather Duncan

Macon, GA (May 16, 2007)- Georgia's owners of forest land have long argued that they somehow should get credit for the public service their trees provide: Cleaning the air by absorbing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Now the state of Georgia is helping create a market for this invisible commodity. Tree growers and farmers could receive payments for storing carbon.

Washington, DC (May 16, 2007)- The U.S. National Academy of Sciences joined 12 other national science academies in calling on world leaders- particularly G8 leaders who will meet in June 2007- to address global climate change and energy-access issues by promoting low carbon-emission energy systems and more efficient use of energy.

New York (May 15, 2007)- Mayors, business leaders, and environmental experts from global cities gathered in New York City from May 14 to 17 for the 2007 C40 Large Cities Climate Summit to pursue joint efforts to combat global warming while insuring economic benefits for cities.

Washington, DC (May 14, 2007)- Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) introduced bipartisan legislation that would lay the foundation for a national greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program. This legislation would establish the first national greenhouse gas registry- a comprehensive and uniform system to track greenhouse emissions by major industries.

Washington, DC (May 12, 2007)- In a letter to the House Intelligence Committee, the Director of National Intelligence, Michael McConnell, supported the National Intelligence Council (NIC) assessing the national security implications of global climate change.

Washington, DC (May 8, 2007)- The United States Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) announced that it has doubled its membership to include new members: American International Group (AIG), Alcan, Boston Scientific, ConocoPhillips, Deere & Company, The Dow Chemical Company, General Motors Corp., Johnson & Johnson, Marsh, PepsiCo, Shell and Siemens, along with The Nature Conservancy and the National Wildlife Federation.

Washington, DC (May 8, 2007)- Thirty-one states, representing over 70 percent of the U.S. population, today announced that they are charter members of The Climate Registry, marking the largest national effort to take action on climate change.

Olympia, WA (May 3, 2007)- Washington's Governor Chris Gregoire signed SB 6001 into law. The new state law sets a goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 50 percent below 1990 levels over the course of the next four decades.

Washington, DC (May 2, 2007)- The House of Representatives adopted an amendment offered by Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) to improve global warming and climate science education. The National Science Foundation (NSF) Authorization Act of 2007 (H.R. 1867) is the first direct vote on global warming in the House of Representatives, and will likely serve as a bellwether for future policy development on the issue.

Washington, DC (May 2, 2007)- The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee reported out S.1115 a bipartisan bill on efficiency, renewable fuels, and research on carbon sequestration on a 20-3 vote. The bill which is headed to the Senate floor is drawn from the text of bills: S. 731, S.962, S. 987, and S. 1115 and has been renumbered S.1419. Several amendments on efficiency standards, research, and demonstration are included in the bill.

Deadline: May 18, 2007

Washington, DC (May 1, 2007)- The United States Government has prepared an initial draft of the fourth national communication of its Climate Action Report (CAR) for public review. The purpose of this announcement is to notify interested members of the public of the opportunity to submit input on the draft text before the final document is completed. Written comments should be received on or before noon, Friday, May 18th.

Albany, NY (April 24, 2007)- New York Lt. Governor David Paterson will tour the state this week to promote the government's new clean energy agenda. He will inspect current renewable energy facilities and report on how this industry can be expanded. Last week, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced a comprehensive plan for reducing energy costs and curbing pollution in New York State.

Dearborn, MI (April 23, 2007)- Alan R. Mulally, Ford Motor's CEO, said that global warming is real, manmade and caused in part by auto emissions. He said, "I clearly believe the vast majority of data indicates that the temperature has increased. And I believe the correlation and analysis that it's mainly because of greenhouse gases."

Annapolis, MD (April 20, 2007)- Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley announced two initiatives that address global warming and the impacts of sea level rise in Maryland. He signed the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and issued an Executive Order creating the Maryland Commission on Climate Change.

Keene, NH (April 19, 2007)- Presidential candidate Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) says the best way to cut pollution and curb global warming is to tax corporations for their carbon dioxide emissions. "You have to have a price-driven strategy if you are going to succeed in this thing," Dodd said in a telephone interview Wednesday with the Associated Press. "Otherwise, I'm afraid it's just a lot of talk. People are trying to avoid the difficult decisions."

Washington, DC (April 19, 2007)- Representatives Shays (R-CT) and Hinchey (D-NY) introduced the Energy For Our Future Act to improve the energy efficiency of the United States. The bill includes the following provisions: oil savings, heavy duty vehicle fuel economy requirements, reductions in heat and electric bills, tax incentives and renewable energy research and development.

Washington, DC (April 19, 2007)- Senator Alexander (R-TN) introduced the Alexander-Lieberman Clean Air Climate Change Act of 2007 to amend the Clean Air Act to establish a regulatory program for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, and carbon dioxide emissions from the electric generating sector. The bill would place carbon caps only on power plants that produce electricity.

Washington, DC (April 19, 2007)- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi today said Democrats would start to operate the House buildings "in a carbon neutral manner" at the earliest possible date with a deadline of the end of this Congress in late 2008 or early 2009.

Washington, DC (April 17, 2007)- A new poll conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner and the Center for American Progress found that a majority of Americans are demanding that their government take immediate action to tackle global warming and achieve energy independence, and they are asking for clean and alternative energies.

New York (April 16, 2007)- Climate change threatens to prolong the war on terrorism and foster political instability that some governments will be unable to cope with, an influential panel of 11 retired US generals has warned.

Boston (April 12, 2007)- Boston Mayo, Thomas Menino put a 15-point plan to counter global warming into immediate effect. Menino's plan requires Boston's city government to cut its greenhouse gas emissions seven percent by 2012 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050. To accomplish that, Menino's policies include the following: exceed federal government energy efficiency standards by at least 14 percent and seven percent for all new and renovated municipal buildings, respectively; buy at least 15 percent of electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources by 2012; increase the amount of recycled materials by at least 10 percent by 2012; and reduce fuel consumption by city vehicles five percent by 2012.

New York (April 11, 2007)- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg Tuesday released the first comprehensive inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in New York City's history and announced that New York will host mayors from large cities around the world at a C40 Large Cities Climate Summit in May.

Washington, DC (April 11, 2007)- ConocoPhillips and American International Group (AIG) both announced they would be joining the US Climate Action Partnership, an alliance of big businesses and environmental groups that have been urging Congress to enact legislation to cut U.S. greenhouse gas levels by 10 to 30 percent within 15 years and reduce the emissions by as much as 80 percent by 2050.

Washington, DC (April 10, 2007)- Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) met in Washington to debate climate change. Many expecting a verbal altercation instead witnessed a consensus regarding the existence of global warming, although there was some disagreement on solutions to the problem.

Washington, DC (March 29, 2007)- According the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the United States and Canada have enough geological storage capacity to sequester some 3500 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth, equivalent to approximately 900 years of CO2 emitted by power plants.

Oslo (March 29, 2007)- A report from the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Sustainable Construction and Building Initiative (SBCI), entitled "Buildings and Climate Change: Status, Challenges and Opportunities," finds that significant gains can be made in efforts to combat global warming by reducing energy use and improving energy efficiency in buildings. Better use of concrete, metals, and timber in construction and less use of energy for everything from air conditioners to lighting in homes and offices could save billions of dollars in a sector accounting for 30-40 percent of world energy use.

Washington, DC (March 28, 2007)- Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE) introduced bipartisan legislation that would require a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) to assess the security challenges presented by the world's changing climate.

Washington, DC (March 28, 2007)- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed Sen. Joe Biden's (D-DE) and Sen. Richard Lugar's (R-IN) bipartisan resolution (S.Res.30) calling for the United States to return to international negotiations on climate change. According to Sen. Biden's press release, this is the first legislation on climate change to move out of any Committee in the 110th Congress.

Washington, DC (March 28, 2007)- Senators Durbin (D-IL), Hagel (R-NE), and Feinstein (D-CA) introduced the Global Climate Change Security Oversight Act to address security risks posed by global climate change. The bill would require the creation of a National Intelligence Estimate on global climate change. The bill has been referred to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

St. Louis, MO (March 26, 2007)- People who have purchased green homes say they are happy with their investments, with 85 percent saying they are more satisfied than they were with their previous, traditionally built homes, according to a home buyer survey released today.

Sea Change in Public Attitudes Toward Global Warming Emerges

New Haven, CT (March 23, 2007)- A new Yale research survey reveals a significant shift in public attitudes toward the environment and global warming. Fully 83 percent of Americans now say global warming is a "serious" problem, up from 70 percent in 2004. More Americans than ever say they have serious concerns about environmental threats, such as toxic soil and water (92 percent, up from 85 percent in 2004), deforestation (89 percent, up from 78 percent), air pollution (93 percent, up from 87 percent) and the extinction of wildlife (83 percent, up from 72 percent in 2005).

Montreal (March 23, 2007)- In a new Angus Reid Strategies survey, 77 percent of Canadians responding say they're convinced global warming is occurring. The online survey, billed as Canada's largest climate change study, found 69 per cent of respondents think global warming estimates are backed by "real science."

Washington, DC (March 23, 2007)- Environmentalists today praised the House Budget Committee and its chairman John Spratt (D-SC) for beginning to reverse years of budget cuts to programs that protect the environment and natural resources.

Washington, DC (March 22, 2007)- Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Ranking Member Pete Domenici (R-NM) introduced the "DOE Carbon Capture and Storage Research, Development and Demonstration Act of 2007" (S.962) which would amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize and improve the carbon capture and storage research, development and demonstration program of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Detroit (March 22, 2007)- General Motors Corporation announced it would reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its domestic plants 40 percent by 2010. This pledge is a result of GM's voluntary partnership with the US Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Leaders Program in which industry representatives and the government develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies.

By J.R. Pegg

Washington, DC (March 22, 2007)- U.S. lawmakers should stop bickering about the science of global warming and take aggressive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, former Vice President Al Gore told members of Senate and House committees today. Speaking Wednesday afternoon before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Gore said global warming presents a "challenge to our moral imagination."

Washington, DC (March 20, 2007) Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and 127 cosponsors introduced new climate legislation known as the "Safe Climate Act of 2007." The bill would effectively freeze greenhouse gas emissions in 2010; cut emissions by roughly 2 percent a year until reaching 1990 levels by 2020; cut emissions by another 5 percent a year after 2020, thus reaching an overall 80 percent reduction of GHG's from 1990 levels by 2050. These reductions would be realized under an economy-wide national cap-and-trade system.

Sydney, Australia (March 20, 2007)- ExxonMobil submitted a report to the Prime Ministerial Task Group on Emissions Trading in Australia arguing that a carbon tax has more advantages than a carbon trading system. The report states, "The main benefit of a tax is that it offers certainty and transparency about the price of the outcome. ExxonMobil believes that stability and transparency of costs will be essential to maintain public support for long-term, uncertain efforts to address risks over many decades."

Washington, DC (March 20, 2007)- Rep. Waxman (D-CA) introduced the Safe Climate Act of 2007. It has 137 cosponsors. The bill would reduce GHG emissions and protect the climate by amending the Clean Air Act to include a greenhouse gas emissions title, including a market-based cap on emissions, and also amending the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to include both national renewable energy and national energy efficiency standards.

Chapel Hill, NC (March 16, 2007)- As part of his efforts to combat global warming, Senator John Edwards announced Thursday that he will make his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination "carbon neutral."

Washington, DC (March 8, 2007)- The House approved the creation of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming March 8 on a vote of 269 to 150, with 44 Republicans voting in favor. The Committee will hold hearings and recommend legislation, but will not write legislation. The Committee's official duties will end with the conclusion of the 110th Congress.

Madison, WI and Hartford, CT (March 3, 2007)- Wisconsin State Senator Mark Miller (D) introduced a Global Warming Solutions bill requiring greenhouse gas emissions to return to 1990 levels by 2020. On March 5, Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell announced legislation that will create a regulatory structure for incentives and penalties designed to reduce carbon emissions statewide.

Washington, DC (March 1, 2007)- Reps. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), John Lewis (D-Ga.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), and Wayne Gilchrest (R-Md.) introduced the High Performance Buildings Act of 2007. The bill encourages the development of affordable housing that is energy efficient, healthier, and environmentally sustainable over time.

Washington, DC (February 28, 2007)- Representative John Dingell (D-MI), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Representative Rick Boucher (D-VA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, sent separate letters relating to climate change policy to various leaders of the energy industry and the environmental community. The letters request these distinguished organizations to provide policy recommendations on a series of questions focusing on details relating to cap-and-trade frameworks as well as other strategies to address greenhouse gas emissions.

Washington, DC (February 28, 2007)- In his February 28 testimony before the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, House Committee on Appropriations, Jim Wells, US Government Accountability Office (GAO) Director of Natural Resources and Environment said, "In the wake of increasing energy costs with the attendant threat to national security and the growing recognition that fossil fuel consumption is contributing to global climate change, the nation is once again assessing how best to stimulate the deployment of advanced energy technologies. However, it is unlikely that DOE's current level of R&D funding or the nation's current energy policies will be sufficient to deploy advanced energy technologies in the next 25 years."

Washington, DC (February 26, 2007)- The Governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington have announced the formation of the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative to implement a joint strategy to reduce greenhouse gases. This agreement builds on the West Coast Global Warming Initiative between California, Oregon, and Washington and the Southwest Climate Change Initiative between Arizona and New Mexico.

Washington, DC (February 5, 2007)- Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) announced an initiative that will make his congressional offices in Vermont and Washington carbon neutral. By providing financial support for two Vermont renewable energy projects, Welch will offset the greenhouse gas emissions related to his office activities so they will not contribute to global warming.

Austin, TX (February 7, 2007)- Mayor Will Wynn announced a major plan that would make the city of Austin the nation's leader in the fight against greenhouse gases. Specifically, he stressed the importance of individual efforts to fight global warming at a local level. The plan will go before the city council next week for approval.

Washington, DC (February 7, 2007)- After a three week long compromise, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) have reached an agreement to create a select committee on global warming which will be chaired by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA). Although the committee has been created, a letter written to Pelosi- signed by both Dingell and Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA)- specifically states that the select committee will have no legislative authority and will expire on October 30th of this year. In addition, the letter outlines a measure that the Energy and Commerce Committee will have first choice to call witnesses when potential conflicts may arise, but does not clarify whether or not the select committee will have the authority to subpoena witnesses.

Washington, DC (February 5, 2007)- President George W. Bush today sent Congress a $2.9 trillion budget package for the fiscal year starting in October that includes big increases for defense spending, cuts in conservation programs, and assumptions that tax revenues will increase and that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge will be leased for oil and gas development. Yet the administration said reducing U.S. dependence on petroleum imports and expanding incentives for clean energy technologies are central to the President's energy budget proposal.

Washington, DC (January 31, 2007)- Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who now chairs the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee, held her first hearing on January 30 addressing global warming. Boxer began the hearing by stating, "The debate over whether there is global warming, for the majority of us, is over."

Washington, DC (January 18, 2007)- On January 18, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, sent a "Dear Colleague" letter to her fellow Senators offering them the chance to present their views on global warming in an EPW hearing to take place January 30.

Washington, DC (January 23, 2007)- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)- a group established in 1988 to assess scientific, technical and socio-economic information on climate change from around the world- is set to release its fourth assessment summing up the latest research on global warming.

Washington, DC (January 25, 2007)- Over 260 of the nation's mayors wrapped up the 75th Winter Meeting of the US Conference of Mayors with a call for a $4 billion Energy and Environmental Block Grant to help cities combat global warming by increasing community energy efficiencies. This action stems directly from the creation of the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in 2005, which now consists of more than 393 mayors from all 50 states including the District of Columbia. Mayors affiliated with this group have pledged to take actions to cut their emissions in line with the Kyoto Protocols.

Washington, DC (January 18, 2007)- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has created a special committee on climate change to recommend legislation for cutting greenhouse gases. It is called the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. She has tapped Rep. Markey (D-MA) to head the panel. Though the panel has no legislative authority, its formation is opposed by several senior Democratic House members, who argue that it would duplicate and even complicate ongoing efforts to explore the same subjects, and curtail the power of committee chairmen who have decades of expertise in their areas.

Boston, MA (January 18, 2007)- Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed an agreement committing Massachusetts to the nation's first multistate program to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is designed to curb carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by 10 percent by 2019. It has already been signed by governors from Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont.

Washington, DC (January 17, 2007)- Six major energy companies announced their endorsement of legislation sponsored by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Tom Carper (D-DE) to establish a national program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector. The companies supporting the bill are Calpine, Entergy, Exelon, Florida Power & Light, PG&E Corp. and Public Service Enterprise Group. They are members of the Clean Energy Group, which has advocated for a carbon cap in the past.

Washington, DC (January 16, 2007)- Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) re-introduced the global warming bill first introduced last year by now retired Senator Jim Jeffords (I-VT). The bill is the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act of 2007, which seeks to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

By Gilbert E. Metcalf
Brookings Institute

Washington, DC (January 1, 2007)- This report highlights the potential economic and environmental benefits of a revenue neutral tax reform where a national tax on carbon emissions is paired with a reduction in the payroll tax so the reform is both revenue and distributionally neutral.

By Eric Toder
Brookings Institute

Washington, DC (January 1, 2007)- Eliminating or scaling back tax expenditures that promote production and consumption of fossil fuels would reduce the budget deficit, promote economic efficiency, and be a step towards more environmentally friendly tax law. Tax expenditures are provisions in the U.S. federal tax code that provide special tax benefits for selected economic activities or taxpayers. A number of tax expenditures add to greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging production and consumption of fossil fuels.

Washington, DC (October 25, 2006)- House and Senate appropriations staff are reportedly now working, pre-conference, to develop joint budgets for the FY 2007 federal budget for Urban and Community Forestry and other key Forest Service programs. For advocates, the biggest challenge right now is to make an impact in the Senate. From what we hear, Senate members generally have not been vocal in their support for the Urban and Community Forestry program, with the exception of a small handful of lawmakers.

By Craig Hanson and David Sandalow
Brookings Institution

Washington, DC (January 1, 2006)- This policy brief examines fiscal instruments that both raise revenue and help improve environmental quality. The paper analyzes several different types of pollution taxes, considers current tax expenditures with adverse environmental impacts, discusses ways of integrating these instruments into tax reform packages and suggests directions for further research.

By Craig Hanson and James R. Hendricks Jr.

Washington, DC (January 1, 2006)- In this issue brief, the World Resources Institute and Duke Energy explain how instituting a carbon tax would simultaneously support federal tax reform initiatives, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and promote sound energy policies. Reforming the federal tax code could advance economic growth as well as help the United States address a number of its environmental and energy challenges.

By Robert Repetto and Duncan Austin

Washington, DC (January 1, 1997)- This brief provides readers a tool by which to form their own judgment about the likely economic impact of climate protection policy. The United States and other nations are committed under the Framework Convention on Climate Change to prevent greenhouse gases from accumulating in the atmosphere, but the economic impacts of limiting greenhouse gas emissions are almost as uncertain as the impacts of climate change themselves.

By Robert Repetto, Roger C. Dower, Robin Jenkins, and Jacqueline Geoghegan

Washington, DC (January 1, 1992)- This brief demonstrates how shifting the tax burden can reduce environmental damages, increase economic production and income, and increase economic welfare overall. The authors estimate the economic gains from shifting a significant chunk of the tax burden from income, profits, and payrolls onto congestion, pollution, and waste generation.

By Shelly Banjo and S. Mitra Kalita

New York, NY (February 2, 2010)- Hit by a drop in donations and cuts in government funding, nonprofits of all types and sizes are being forced to make painful choices, including cuts in services, restructuring, mergers, collaborations, and/or closing, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Washington, DC (July 9, 2009)- Sixty environmental, conservation, and Native American organizations sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee members today expressing their support for confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The letter was delivered ahead of Sotomayor's Senate confirmation hearing, which is scheduled to begin next Monday, July 13.

Washington, DC (July 2, 2009)- President Barack Obama has pledged that his administration will do its part to support grassroots organizations that are successful in their efforts to improve communities. While announcing the launch of the Community Solutions Agenda at a White House gathering on Tuesday, Obama issued a challenge to government, business, foundations, and average citizens to come together to identify and invest in promising solutions to the nation's toughest problems.

Washington, DC (May 7, 2009)- President Obama sent to Congress his Fiscal Year 2010 budget request for the Corporation for National and Community Service and its programs. The President is requesting $1.149 billion, $259 million (29% increase) over the FY09 enacted level. The budget proposes funding levels for many existing and new initiatives authorized by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and lays the foundation for others.

Washington, DC (March 31, 2009)- Senators Kennedy (MA-D) and Hatch (UT-R) introduced the "Serve America Act," a bill to expand national and community service opportunities for all Americans. Passage of this Act, along with the reauthorization bill for the Corporation for National and Community Service and implementation of President Obama's Service Agenda will allow nonprofits, service organizations, and social innovators to respond to our current economic crisis.

Washington, DC (March 17, 2009)- Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (MT-D) introduced the Nonprofit Capacity Building Act of 2009 (S.609). The bill would strengthen small and midsize nonprofits by creating an innovative $25 million fund in the budget of the Corporation for National and Community Service to make matching grants to intermediary nonprofit training and technical assistance entities.

Washington, DC (March 10, 2009)- President Obama has proposed significant expansion of AmeriCorps and other service programs. His 2010 proposed budget includes a $261 million increase for AmeriCorps, with a goal of putting AmeriCorps on a path to expand from its current 75,000 members to 250,000 members in future years.

By Jonathan Alter

Washington, DC (March 6, 2009)- An idea that began with Franklin D. Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps 76 years ago and extends through several presidents in both parties (including Bill Clinton and George W. Bush) is about to get turbocharged.

Washington, DC (March 1, 2009)- The Communities Committee of the Seventh American Forest Congress and American Forests have worked together to produce a number of "Quick Guides" on relevant policy issues for community forest practitioners.

By Stephanie Strom

Washington, DC (February 27, 2009)- Wealthy donors and the nonprofits they support have raised concern over the Obama administration's proposal, included in the president's recently announced budget, to limit the value of deductions for charitable gifts, the New York Times reports. Under the administration's proposal, taxpayers earning more than $250,000 will have their ability to deduct contributions to charities reduced to a rate of 28 percent from 35 percent.

Washington, DC (February 26, 2009)- President Obama published "A New Era of Responsibility: Renewing America's Promise," providing a description of the Administration's Fiscal Year 2010 budget expected to be released this spring. Supporting the call to service in his first address to Congress, the President recommends $1.13 billion for the Corporation for National and Community Service and its three core programs - AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Learn & Serve America. This request includes $261 million above the amount included in the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act passed by the House yesterday. The additional funding aims to give more Americans the opportunity to serve and to build the capacity of the nonprofit sector to find innovative solutions to social problems.

By Suzanne Perry

Washington, DC (February 25, 2009)- The Senate and House are both likely to move quickly to adopt legislation to expand the country's national-service programs following President Obama's call last night to send him a bill, a key House Democrat said today. "I expect we will both pass it very shortly," said Rep. George Miller, chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, which is about to consider a new bill to increase participation in the programs operated by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Washington, DC (February 24, 2009)- Speaking to a Joint Session of Congress tonight, President Obama declared, "And to encourage a renewed spirit of national service for this and future generations, I ask this Congress to send me the bipartisan legislation that bears the name of Senator Orrin Hatch as well as an American who has never stopped asking what he can do for his country- Senator Edward Kennedy."

Washington, DC (January 16, 2009)- Senators Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) today introduced the "Serve America Act," a bill to expand national and community service opportunities for all Americans. Senators Mikulski, McCain, Dodd, Cochran, Reid, Gregg, Durbin, Wicker, Murray, Snowe, Kerry, Lincoln, Cardin, Rockefeller, Schumer, Whitehouse, Menendez, Bayh and Landrieu are also sponsors of the legislation.

This New York Times Editorial Observer column makes the case for a major call to service. Many of the points made in the article represent the ideas and ideals of ServiceNation that the Alliance for Community Trees has signed onto.

By Lawrence Downes

New York, NY (November 10, 2008)- Last week many Americans stopped to savor a moment of such beauty and amazement that the thought of it, even now, is enough to draw tears. But never mind that now. It's time to pack away the Obama glow. Young people should save it for when they're old. The men who landed at Normandy spent no time thinking about what an awesome invasion they had just pulled off; they had to go liberate Europe. Postgame celebration and analysis are fine, for a game, but this country's challenges are not recreational.

Washington, DC (August 19, 2008)- For the first time in almost thirty years the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has revised the tax Form 990. The completed 2008 Form 990 instructions are now posted, along with three new background documents explaining the new form and instructions. The new changes, which include numerous questions asking reporting organizations to describe their operations, reflect a desire by the IRS to monitor tax-exempt organizations more closely and allow the public greater insight into their practices. The 2008 Form 990, released by the IRS in December 2007, is effective for 2008 tax years (returns filed in 2009).

Washington, DC (January 16, 2009)- The GIVE Act of 2008 (S.3429) has been reintroduced in both Houses of Congresses. The GIVE Act addresses the adverse impacts on volunteers of high gas prices and discriminatory tax policy towards nonprofits by eliminating the disincentives that prevent charitable volunteers from doing what they really want to do, which is to help the needy in their communities. The bill directs the Treasury Department to determine the charitable mileage deduction for volunteers.

College Park, MD (June 10, 2008)- This year, the Alliance for Community Trees is serving on the organizing committee of a national, bipartisan campaign to greatly expand service opportunities for Americans, elevate service as a core element of citizenship, and create targeted service corps to address our nation's most important challenges. The campaign is called ServiceNation.

Washington, DC (June 2, 2008)- A new report highlighting promising policy innovations for the nation's social sector was released today by the Aspen Institute's Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy Program. The report, Mobilizing Change: 10 Nonprofit Policy Proposals To Strengthen U.S. Communities, puts together in one place the proposals of leading thinkers in the field who are working to address social problems and improve the lives of those in need through improved nonprofit-government policies. The report calls for a bipartisan commission that would study the relationship between nonprofits and government and make recommendations for increasing social sector capacity.

Washington, DC (March 1, 2008)- Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, or the GIVE Act, amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (NCSA) and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (DVSA) to revise their programs and reauthorize appropriations for them through FY2012.

Washington, DC (February 7, 2008)- The College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008 (H.R. 4137), which has passed the House and Senate with overwhelming support, overhauls and renews the Higher Education Act of 1965 for the first time since 1998. Its college loan forgiveness provisions hold special interest for all nonprofits, as it provides for forgiveness to employees working in "an area of national need" in amounts up to $2000 a year, each year for five years.

Washington, DC (October 23, 2007)- A new rule of the Federal Election Commission allows nonprofits to run issue ads during election periods that mention federal candidates under certain conditions including urging a candidate to take a particular position or action with respect to an issue. Disclosure rules regarding sources of funding and donors must be followed. The rule implements the Supreme Court decision, FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life that had overturned a ban on such ads.

Washington, DC (September 11, 2007)- IRS has announced its priority issues for the next year, which include several topics related to nonprofits: forthcoming regulations on the new Form 990, the e-Postcard, new requirements for supporting organizations under the Pension Protection Act of 2006, and revocation standards for nonprofits that engage in excess benefit transactions. A full listing of the 2008 IRS agenda is available on their website.

Washington, DC (September 7, 2007)- On Friday, both houses of Congress approved a conference committee report including employees of 501c3 organizations as 'public sector' employees for purposes of a new loan forgiveness provision. Among numerous other provisions, the legislation defines employment by 501c3 tax exempt organizations as a 'public sector job' making the individual eligible for loan balance forgiveness after 10 years of payments under an income contingent repayment plan.

By Fraser Nelson, David W. Brady, & Alana Conner Snibbe

Washington, DC (April 1, 2007)- Most nonprofits don't know how to lobby and, worse, think that it entails cutting shady deals with sleazy characters. Yet lobbying is nothing more than educating legislators - a right that our democracy guarantees. To make the changes they want to see in the world, nonprofits must learn to lobby. And who knows? They may even learn to love it.

Washington, DC (August 10, 2006)- Charitable Reforms Legislation Update

Last week Congress passed H.R.4 - major pension reform legislation that also included a package of charitable giving incentives and reforms of charitable practice or governance.

Washington, DC (August 10, 2006)- Charitable Reforms Legislation Update

Efforts by Congressional leaders to package a near repeal of the estate tax with a minimum wage increase failed last week when Democratic leaders called for a 'no' vote - deciding that the revenue impact of estate tax reductions, and other tax break extensions in the bill (H.R. 5970) outweighed the benefit of the minimum wage increase. Minimum wage efforts may continue after the August recess.

By Bob Smucker

Washington, DC (January 1, 1999)- This is a handbook for volunteers and staff of charitable organizations, especially new volunteers and staff, to help them take advantage of the liberal rules for lobbying by charities. These rules make it possible for charities to lobby freely for their causes and clients.