For Biden administration, ‘it’s go time’ on climate

CLIMATE: Federal regulators are scrambling to implement policies to cut heat-trapping emissions and meet U.S. climate obligations in case the White House changes hands after the 2024 election. (Bloomberg)

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ALSO:

• The SEC has reportedly weakened a proposed emissions disclosure rule amid pushback from business interests. (Reuters)
• A judge rules in favor of Texas cryptocurrency companies’ challenge to efforts by the U.S. Department of Energy to collect data on the sector’s energy consumption. (International Business Times)

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HYDROGEN: An anticipated Supreme Court ruling could help hydrogen producers in their challenge to the 45V tax credit, which aims to ensure “green” hydrogen is produced from new clean energy resources. (E&E News)

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OIL & GAS:

• A warm winter and increased U.S. production have pushed natural gas prices to their lowest levels in more than 30 years. (Wall Street Journal, subscription)
• Environmentalists say Pennsylvania’s abandoned oil and gas well plugging project needs more oversight, as much of the funds going toward the effort aren’t being used on the worst wells. (Spotlight PA)
• An Ohio judge dismisses environmental groups’ request to halt a state commission’s plan to start accepting bids for oil and gas drilling under state park and wildlife areas. (Energy News Network)

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WIND:

• The sight of wind farms and other renewables in West Virginia coal country still stir emotions in residents who grew up grounded in coal culture and are uncomfortable with the clean energy transition. (NPR)
• The mayor of Ocean City, Maryland, rejects the community incentive package offered by US Wind in exchange for a commitment to not speak negatively about the developer’s local plans. (Salisbury Daily Times)

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UTILITIES: A new Virginia commission to provide state lawmakers more guidance on increasingly complicated utility and energy bills could give new life to stalled proposals to restrict utilities’ spending and introduce more competition for wind and solar. (Energy News Network)

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POLLUTION: Chicago environmental justice advocates score a “significant” victory as the U.S. EPA directs Illinois to make sweeping changes to its permitting process for polluting industries in neighborhoods. (Grist)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A nascent movement of moms across the country is pushing for schools to transition to electric buses amid mounting evidence on the health harms of childrens’ exposure to diesel buses. (Associated Press)

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COAL: Arizona regulators reject a utility’s proposed coal community transition fund aimed at helping the Navajo Nation weather mine and power plant retirements in the northern part of the state and New Mexico. (NM Political Report)

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POLITICS: Utah lawmakers pass legislation amending state energy policy to prioritize dispatchable power sources, including fossil fuel generation, over clean energy. (Utah News Dispatch)

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HYDROPOWER: The Biden administration and four Northwest tribal nations sign an agreement opening the door to breaching four hydropower dams in Washington state to restore fish populations. (Tri-City Herald)

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