CCL Confrence, Saving Grace Food Rescue, and more
SFS Updates
By Evalina Sain
Three of our very own SFS members—Evalina Sain, Tori Bogatz, and Scout Walker—are heading off to Washington, D.C. this week to participate in the 2025 Citizens’ Climate Lobby Conference: Making Moves and Moving Congress. From attending national trainings to coordinating meetings with our local chapter to researching representatives, we’ve been preparing to ensure that our conversations at the Capitol are genuine, impactful, and reflective of the diverse voices of the Great Plains. This year, we plan to meet with Sen. Deb Fischer (NESR), Sen. Pete Ricketts (NEJR), Rep. Mike Flood (NE01), Rep. Don Bacon (NE02), and Rep. Adrian Smith (NE03). With the passage of the Reconciliation Bill in the Senate, clean energy development is at risk of being stalled due to large-scale disincentivization and cuts to solar and wind tax credits. Considering that the United States is the second-largest energy consumer in the world and holds unprecedented influence on the global stage, ushering in clean energy policies is pivotal to securing energy independence and modernizing sustainable energy technologies to meet exponentially rising demand (Bloomberg, The Business Council for Sustainable Energy, 2025).
Readers of this newsletter likely don’t need to be convinced of the environmental benefits of clean energy. However, America reaps the benefits of clean energy technology in far more than just this capacity. Let’s examine this within our home state of Nebraska. In 2022, state grant awards fueled energy-saving initiatives that led to a 4% increase in clean energy jobs—twice the growth rate of the overall economy (Nebraska Public Media). Employment in clean energy spans multiple industries, including manufacturing, construction, regulation, and agriculture. These projects also directly invest money back into local communities, promoting small-scale growth—often in rural areas. Take the Salt Creek Solar Project, for example: a utility-scale solar farm in Lancaster County projected to generate $20 million in tax revenue to fund local schools, public safety services, and other critical infrastructure (Salt Creek Solar).
So, what is holding the U.S. back?
According to CCL, “Right now, it takes an average of 4.5 years for federal agencies just to complete environmental impact statements for major energy projects.” Combine this with Congressionally proposed cuts to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), and stripped clean energy tax credits—sustainable development is being obstructed by a policy obstacle course.
It’s like possessing the cure to someone’s worsening chronic illness but requiring them to complete six different clinical trials, wait five years for insurance approval, and prove they can pay for the treatment. Our planet is crippling under rising temperatures caused by intensive fossil fuel reliance, and while clean energy may not be the 'cure,' it certainly is a remedy. Our climate clock is ticking, and it's time Congress checks their watches.
Interested in supporting clean energy permitting reform?
Write your member of Congress and spread the word: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/get-loud-take-action/
SFS would like to take a moment to acknowledge all of our supportive partners, sponsors, and those who engage with our work. Without your contributions, opportunities like this would not be possible—thank you.
Flashing Forward: Upcoming Events
by Alyssa Osborn
Join BisonHeartGroup for ‘Community Impact Night: Empowering Nonprofits, Inspiring Change’
An evening for bringing awareness to missions around the region. See showcases of nonprofit works, and ask questions directly about what they're doing for the community. The panelists provide a unique opportunity to learn new things, and get ideas of your own!
Panel Includes:
• Nebraska Interscholastic Cycling League
• Outlook Enrichment
• Golden Gen Movement
• Esther’s Miracle, Inc.
• Girls Inc.
📅 July 21
🕑 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 Spare Time Omaha
Free Tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bisonheartgroup-community-impact-night-nonprofits-connecting-inpsiring-tickets-1303380619519?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Try a Taste of Fontenelle Forest's ‘Foodie Food Truck Fridays’
With local food trucks throughout the summer, Fontenelle Forest has drawn attention on the importance of nature, and fueling up through local vendors. Use the last two chances of the summer as a way to reconnect, and invest time to you!
📅 July 25
🕑 12:00-6:00 PM
🌮🚚 The Papillion Taco Guy
📍Fontenelle Forest
July 25th Vendor:
https://m.facebook.com/papilliontacoguy/
📅 August 29
🕑12:00-6:00 PM
🍧🚚 Big O Sno
📍 Fontenelle Forest
August 29th Vendor:
https://thebigosno.com/
Experience the ‘Mulhalls Wild Plant Party’
Shop native plants, enjoy food and beverages, experience one of a kind local pop-ups, and meet with experts in your area to learn about the native plant community! Join Mulhalls Farms in their educational event and expand your knowledge on the region's environment.
📅 July 19
🕑 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
📍3616 N 120th Street, Omaha NE
Specialty Growers:
•Midwest Natives Nursery
•Prairie Legacy Inc.
•Mulhalls Farms
Food and Drink:
•Dante
•Tipico Helado
•Hardy Coffee Co.
•Great Plains Vintage
•Julia M Illustrates
•Lisa Harnack Art
•Justin Grabenschroer
‘Ask an Expert’ Station Attendees:
•Lauritzen Gardens
•The Nature Conservancy of Nebraska
•Bellevue Native Plant Society
•Fontenelle Forest
•Keep Omaha Beautiful
•Nebraska Monarchs
•The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
Community Spotlight: Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue
By Steven Dickerson
Photo from Saving Grace
Based in Omaha, Saving Grace is tackling both food waste and hunger with one powerful solution: food rescue. Instead of letting surplus perishable food go to waste, Saving Grace picks it up from grocery stores, restaurants, and caterers, then delivers it same-day to local nonprofits and food pantries that feed those in need. In June, they collected 83,184 lbs of food. In all of 2025, they've rescued 478,542 lbs, with just over 9.6 million pounds diverted from landfills since starting out in 2013. It’s a simple, elegant model that nourishes people, protects the planet, and builds a more equitable food system right here in our community. Find out more about them at the website:
https://savinggracefoodrescue.org/.
Collecting Rainwater
By Claire Bossman
Harvesting and using rainwater for things such as watering your plants or washing your car can help conserve water and help the environment.
Photo from farmers’ almanac
Pollution- 90% of rainwater often ends up as runoff due to sealed surfaces such as buildings and pavement. As runoff travels to storm drains it carries with it litter, oil, and pesticides. These pollutants get carried untreated into streams and rivers.According to the US Environmental Protection Agency storm water pollution is the greatest threat to our nation's surface waters.
Floods- collecting rainwater helps with flooding and erosion by spacing out the use of rainwater.
Drinking water- by harvesting rainwater you can reduce the amount of drinkable water used for gardening. The average American family uses 320 gallons of water per day; about 30% of which is used for lawns and gardens. That’s 96 gallons! Why not save this water and use the water falling onto your roof.
Energy conservation- conserving drinking water also saves energy. It takes a lot of energy to treat the water that we drink. Letting a faucet run for 5 minutes uses about as much energy as keeping a 60-watt lightbulb turned on for 14 hours.
Harvesting rain water- collecting rainwater prevents these effects from happening by keeping the good rainwater and using it instead of treated tap water. You can buy a rain barrel to save large amounts of water or simply use a large bucket.
Sources:
https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/fish-water/chapter-1-benefits-of-rainwater-harvesting/
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Hot Take is produced by Omaha Students for Sustainability.