All articles tagged with #environment politics
President Trump withdrew the U.S. from a 2023 agreement aimed at restoring salmon populations in the Columbia River Basin, citing concerns over energy resources and climate change, despite opposition from tribes and environmental groups who see it as a setback for fish conservation and regional progress.
The Biden administration is expected to block the construction of the controversial Ambler Road in Alaska, which is crucial for accessing a planned copper and zinc mine, citing threats to Indigenous communities and wildlife habitat. This decision reflects the administration's selective approach to domestic mining of minerals for clean-energy technologies, balancing climate goals with the need to protect vulnerable communities and pristine wilderness. The move comes after a fresh review ordered by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland found that the road would significantly impact Alaska Natives and wildlife, despite the mining venture's claims of job creation and bolstering U.S. mineral supply chains.
The Biden administration has approved the construction of a $1.8 billion deepwater oil export terminal off the Texas coast, drawing criticism from environmentalists who argue that it contradicts President Biden's climate agenda and will lead to significant greenhouse gas emissions. The Sea Port Oil Terminal, developed by Enterprise Products Partners, received a deepwater port license after a five-year federal review, with the capacity to load two supertankers at once and export 2 million barrels of crude oil per day. Despite claims by the administration that the project will have minimal effect on overall U.S. crude oil supply chain emissions, environmental groups and critics argue that the approval is inconsistent with efforts to combat climate change and transition away from fossil fuels.
The EPA has awarded $20 billion in federal green bank grants to eight community development banks and nonprofit organizations to fund projects combating climate change in disadvantaged communities, as part of President Biden's climate agenda. Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled the funding in North Carolina, emphasizing the importance of empowering communities to decide on impactful projects. The grants are part of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund created by Biden's climate law, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. However, the taxpayer-funded green bank has faced opposition from Republicans in Congress, who have called it a "slush fund."
The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a rule to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from new trucks, delivery vans, and buses, benefiting communities disproportionately exposed to diesel exhaust. The rule will require manufacturers to slash emissions, but falls short of mandating zero-emission trucks by 2035. The truck industry has expressed concerns about the costs and disruptions, while some truck makers are supportive of the move towards zero-emission vehicles. The Biden administration has provided subsidies for electric trucks and charging infrastructure, aiming to build a national network of charging stations along freight corridors.
The new EPA rule sets strict limits on tailpipe pollution, potentially leading to over half of all car sales being zero-emissions by 2032 and avoiding 7 billion tons of CO2 emissions over 30 years. Despite potential opposition from a second Trump presidency, the significant investment in electric vehicles and related infrastructure may make it difficult to roll back the regulation. The transition to EVs is accelerating, with record sales and growing charging infrastructure, but potential policy uncertainty could slow down the industry's progress. Lawsuits from fossil fuel companies and Republican attorneys general may also challenge the new rule, but its legal basis is supported by longstanding EPA standards.
25 Republican-led states and business groups have filed lawsuits challenging the Biden administration's new EPA rule on soot pollution, arguing that it would raise costs and hinder economic growth. The rule, which tightens standards for deadly soot pollution, is facing legal opposition from industry groups and Republican-led states, who claim that the U.S. already has strict air quality standards. The EPA rule aims to reduce fine particle pollution and is expected to create significant health benefits, but opponents argue that it could put hundreds of U.S. counties out of compliance and harm the economy.
The Biden administration plans to delay final limits on emissions from gas-fired power plants to strengthen them, likely finalizing the rule after November, with its fate possibly resting on the 2024 election. This decision comes in response to pleas from environmental justice groups and aims to cover more pollutants, including climate, toxic, and criteria air pollution. The move is part of a broader effort to combat pollution from the power sector and address concerns of disadvantaged communities living near industrial pollution sources.
The Biden administration, tribal leaders, and governors of Oregon and Washington have celebrated the signing of a $1 billion plan to restore depleted salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest, which includes boosting clean energy production and offsetting benefits provided by controversial dams on the Snake River. The plan, known as the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative, aims to strengthen tribal clean energy projects and provide benefits for communities dependent on the Columbia Basin. While some environmental groups and tribal leaders have urged for the removal of the dams, the agreement represents a significant step towards eventually taking them down. However, congressional Republicans oppose dam breaching and have vowed to block it.
The European Commission has recommended a 90 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, but the proposal has faced criticism for its reliance on carbon capture and removal technologies and the omission of a clear plan to phase out oil and gas. The plan also includes a strategy to store 280 million metric tons of captured carbon dioxide annually by 2040, but the feasibility and cost of such technologies remain uncertain. The proposal is an interim goal following the EU's commitment to slash emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050, aligning with the Paris Agreement's goals.
The European Commission has unveiled a plan to reduce the EU's net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, aiming to become the world's first climate-neutral continent. The proposal includes targets for cutting emissions and capturing carbon, but some individual targets related to agriculture were scrapped due to protests from farmers. Environmental groups have expressed concerns about the reliance on carbon capture and the lack of ambition in tackling fossil fuel use and farming emissions.
The European Commission has recommended that the EU slash greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, aiming to achieve climate neutrality by mid-century in line with the Paris Agreement. The proposal, which includes significant changes to energy, transport, food, and industry, has sparked backlash from conservatives, farmers, and industry. The announcement comes amidst growing urgency from climate scientists and follows the EU's Fit for 55 package of laws to reduce emissions. However, environmental organizations criticize the 90% target, arguing that it leaves room for carbon removal technologies favored by fossil fuel producers.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has withdrawn the contentious Sustainable Use Regulation (SUR) aimed at reducing pesticide use in the EU, following fierce lobbying and protests from farmers. The decision marks a setback for the European Green Deal's environmental goals. Von der Leyen emphasized the need for a more sustainable farming model but faced criticism from environmental organizations, while receiving support from farming lobbies and some political leaders. The withdrawal of the pesticide law signals challenges in implementing ambitious environmental regulations in the agricultural sector.
President Biden announces a temporary pause on pending decisions of Liquefied Natural Gas exports, except for national security emergencies, to assess their impacts on energy costs, energy security, and the environment. The administration aims to address the climate crisis and prioritize clean energy jobs while rejecting complacency and special interests.