The RISE Stronger Energy & Environment Policy Working Group tracks and analyzes government actions that affect our nation's energy policy and environment. Through education, collaboration, and action we engage citizens and organizations at the federal, state, and local levels to combat climate change, protect natural resources, and encourage a responsible energy mix.
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Nov 13, 2017
The Week in Energy & Environment: Threats to Wind and Solar, Ignoring Climate Change, and Considering ANWR Drilling GOP Tax Plan Puts Wind Power at Risk. The House Republican tax plan released last week endangers wind power projects by retroactively rewriting Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance on the meaning of "construction." Wind projects often rely on the production tax credit (PTC), which provides a tax credit based on electricity production from the facility. Projects that qualified for the PTC by beginning construction in 2016 are currently slated to receive the full amount of the PTC ($24/MWh), which is being phased out in the next several years. The bill would make it more difficult for projects that qualified for the PTC in 2016 to maintain their qualified status. As a result, many wind projects currently in development would likely lose an important tax credit and may be scrapped. The bill also threatens to reduce the incentive amount for wind projects qualifying for the PTC from $24/MWh to $15/MWh. Leaked DOI strategic plan favors oil and gas companies, ignores climate science. A...READ MORE |
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Oct 3, 2017
The Week in Energy & Environment: DOE Props Up Coal; Environmental Effects of Harvey; Oversight Gaps; EPA Funding Cuts; Threats to the Solar Industry What you can do: Call your member of Congress and ask him or her to ensure Superfund enforcement is funded. Submit written comments to FERC asking the agency to reject the Department of Energy's proposed rule. DOE proposes additional compensation for coal, nuclear Plants. The Department of Energy (DOE) sent a proposed rule to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the independent agency charged with oversight of the nation's wholesale electricity markets. DOE's proposal and an accompanying letter from Energy Secretary Rick Perry cite the many recent retirements of coal and nuclear plants as a problem for the resiliency of the nation's electric grid. To prevent further retirements, DOE asked FERC to require that wholesale electricity markets provide additional compensation to coal and nuclear plants to compensate them for "reliability, resiliency, and on-site fuel assurance." DOE's proposal drew swift criticism from industry participants for favoring one fuel source over READ MORE |
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Aug 9, 2017
Week 28 in Energy & Environment Delay to Ozone Limiting Regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency announced on Wednesday that it would not delay implementing an Obama era regulation on smog-forming pollutants from smokestacks and tailpipes. In June, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced he would extend the October 1 deadline to implement the regulations, which lower the maximum acceptable ozone emissions, a major component of smog. Pruitt reversed the decision this week, the day after 16 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit challenging the delay. However, the EPA did leave open the possibility of extending the deadline again. Pruitt's reversal is likely an acknowledgement that he would lose a court case challenging the delay in light of two recent Federal Court rulings against the EPA's attempt to delay implementing methane regulations without going through the normal administrative process. The recent court rulings against EPA merely slow the process of repealing regulations, but the EPA can still re...READ MORE |
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Jul 20, 2017
Week 25 in Energy & Environment RISE Stronger has teamed up 500 Women Scientists, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), and the Engaging Scientists and Engineers in Policy (ESEP) Coalition to launch an exciting op-ed writing campaign. Join us, and speak up for science by writing an op-ed in support of government funding for science, technology, and the programs that improve our society in general. Learn more here. Environment Wins as EPA Loses. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia recently halted the Trump administration's efforts to roll back the EPA's Obama-era rule limiting methane emissions from oil and gas operations. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced in June that he would delay implementation for two years so the agency could reconsider the rule. Six environmental groups filed suit against the EPA, and the Court agreed that the EPA had no legal authority to prevent the regulations from taking effect. If the agency wishes to undo the rule, then it must go through the normal admini...READ MORE |
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Jun 27, 2017
Energy and Environment Summary of Trump’s Week 22 The room where it happens. Power industry executive met with U.S. Environmental Protection Administrator Scott Pruitt. Many of the executive said that if EPA is considering withdrawing the Clean Power Plan rule, they should instead replace it with a less stringent carbon regulation to provide regulatory certainty when making new investments. EPA has sent its proposed review of the Clean Power Plan to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). EPA is expected to rescind the Obama-era rule regulating carbon pollution from existing power plants. Goodbye scientific advisory board. Dozens of scientists on EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) have been informed that they will not be renewed for their roles advising the agency. The move dismisses 38 out of the 49 remaining subcommittee members, and leaves the board for "complete reappointment." The BSOC advises EPA's Office of Research and Development — which has been targeted by this administration for extreme budget cuts |
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Jun 20, 2017
Energy and Environment Summary of Trump’s Week 21 EPA's Disastrous Agenda. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this week that it will reassess an Obama-era chemical safety rule, delaying its implementation until at least 2019. As is, the rule would require companies to take more steps to prepare for accidents and would expand the EPA's investigative and auditing powers. The delay comes at the request of industry, unsurprisingly. In 2015, the Gold King Mine in Colorado leaked millions of gallons of toxic metals and acids. This week, the EPA's Office of the Inspector General concluded that EPA, which did not have standards at the time for collapsed mine portals, was not at fault. More shockingly, the report made no recommendations for how the agency could improve. EPA officials have repeatedly stated that their priorities are to promote "clean air and water." EPA is proposing a two-year delay of an Obama-era rule aiming to reduce methane emissions from oil and natural gas operations. Many oil and gas companies argued that the rule was costly and duplicative, though industry was somewhat split on the issue. What is most concerning is that industry does not need to meet the standards while the EPA's review moves forward — a problem environmental groups are looking to contend in court. BLM suspends methane rule. Earlier this year, Congress failed to pass a Congressional Review Act measure aimed at revoking a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulation restricting methane emissions from drilling operations on public lands. Following the vote, BLM indicated they will start reviewing the rule. And now, BLM has suspended key parts of the methane rule while internal review and litigation plays out. The postponed requirements include a mandate to capture a certain amount of waste gas produced during production, along with storage tank vapors; measure flared gas; upgrade or replace some equipment; and have in place leak detection and repair programs. Pruitt Cowers at G7. The Group of Seven (G7) environment ministers made a statement Monday on climate change. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, representing the United States, abstained from large sections of the statement. Pruitt's detest for international cooperation and skepticism of climate change led to there being only a footnote in final text, reading: "The United States will continue to engage with key international partners in a manner that is consistent with our domestic priorities, preserving both a strong economy and a healthy environment." Energy Dominance is the Energy Independence. Since the oil embargoes in the 1970s, the policy of the United States has been to conserve energy and reduce foreign energy imports in order to be more "energy independent." The Trump Administration has started using a new term: energy dominance. According to the Washington Post, this essentially means "to promote as much oil, gas, and coal development as possible." The March 28 Executive Order on Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth is written so broadly that it can be read as anti-energy-efficiency and pro-energy-dominance. The administration claims to want the free market to run without interference, but continues to set policies that are boons to specific industries. Bears Ears Follow Up. Thank you, Risers, for voicing your support for Bears Ears National Monument. Although Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is not recommending its revocation, he is recommending downsizing it to protect only the "smallest area" needed to cover important sites.Environmental and Native American advocacy groups announced their intent to sue should the administration follow Zinke's recommendations. What you can do!
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Jun 15, 2017
Week 20 in Energy & Environment: Fallout From Paris and Rolling Back Environmental Protection Defense of Paris. Since Trump decided to withdraw without honor from the Paris Climate Agreement, over 1,400 governors, mayors, businesses, attorneys general, investors, and colleges and universities joined an open letter to the international community, declaring their support for the agreement. In a tandem effort, Michael Bloomberg submitted a letter to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) saying he will "work with U.S. subnational and non-state actors over the coming months" to quantify these aggregate actions, which constitute "America's Pledge" to the world in fulfilling our responsibility to lead the world in reducing emissions. In addition, a bipartisan group of 12 states and Puerto Rico have joined the U.S. Climate Alliance, which is committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement within their borders by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 — the original U.S. commitment. |
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Jun 9, 2017
Trump & the Paris Agreement What is the Paris Agreement? The Paris Climate Agreement is a landmark agreement signed in 2015 by 195 countries to combat global climate change. Its central aim is to strengthen the global response to climate change by keeping a global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Under the Agreement, countries voluntarily put forward their self-defined emission reduction goals through "nationally determined contributions" and to regularly report their emissions and implementation efforts. The United States pledged to cut domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 and was already halfway towards its goal, having cut emissions by 14 percent. The United States joined Syria and Nicaragua as the only countries not participating in the Agreement. Nicaragua did not sign because it did not think the Agreement did enough to combat climate change; Syria was in the midst of a civil war. |
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May 24, 2017
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May 24, 2017
WEEK 17 IN ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT: PUBLIC OUTCRY AND EPA REGULATIONS AND A MONUMENTAL CALL TO ACTION MAY 23, 2017 1:54 PM EDTEPA Regulations. In response to an executive order requiring agencies to reexamine burdensome regulations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested public comments regarding which regulations might be applicable. Instead of the expected laundry list of industry requests, EPA got an earful from nearly 100,000 commenters, many urging the agency not to remove regulations. Commenters from manufacturing and mining communities to urban areas shared stories of dirty air and water. Rise Stronger partnered with several groups to assist in preparing comments defending the environment, and many Rise Stronger members submitted their own comments to EPA. Transportation joins the anti-climate game. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published a rulemaking at the end of the Obama administration, requiring state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to measure and set targets for highway reliability, freight movement, congestion, greenhouse ... READ MORE |
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May 24, 2017
WEEK 16 IN ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT: WHIPLASH ON THE PARIS AGREEMENT AND THE SENATE UPHOLDS OBAMA'S METHANE RULE MAY 16, 2017 7:46 AM EDTWhiplash on Paris. Trump officials were scheduled to meet this past Tuesday to discuss the Paris Agreement but rescheduled their meeting again for a yet to be announced date. As the Trump administration works its way to a decision on the Agreement, the business and financial communities are voicing their support for staying in the Agreement. A number of companies and CEOs have signed public letters and taken full-page ads in newspapers that Trump reads. Even Trump's favorite jeweler and namesake of his youngest daughter, Tiffany & Co., posted on Instagram urging the president to support the agreement. In addition, foreign leaders, such as France's president-elect Emmanuel Macron, have called Trump urging him to stay in the agreement. Reportedly, Trump will not decide whether to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change until after the May 26–27 G7 summit in Italy. Arctic declaration. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson joined seven other foreign ministers at the Arctic C... READ MORE |
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May 24, 2017
WEEK 15 IN ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT MAY 9, 2017 8:55 PM EDTMidnight for Paris II. Trump administration officials delayed a meeting to discuss whether the United States should remain in the Paris Agreement that had been planned for May 9th. The decision may hinge on Article 4.11 of the agreement which states that a nation "may at any time adjust its existing [emission reduce pledge] with a view to enhancing its level of ambition." Critics of the agreement have argued that the United States cannot reduce its "level of ambition" and that pro-climate advocates would use remaining in the Paris Agreement as an argument in court when fighting the administration's efforts to undo climate regulations. Almost all experts agree that the Paris Agreement imposes few legal obligations on the United States. However, a new leaked internal memo from the State Department's legal office outlines legal justification for the United States to exit the Agreement. Reports of the White House seesawing on the Paris Agreement has increased outreach efforts by pro-Par... READ MORE |
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May 24, 2017
WEEK 14 IN ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT: THE PARIS AGREEMENT AND ONGOING REGULATORY BATTLES MAY 1, 2017 9:54 PM EDTMidnight for Paris? Senior Trump administration officials were unable to come to an agreement on whether the United States should remain in the Paris Agreement during a Thursday meeting at the White House. Some officials (e.g., Steve Bannon, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt) want Trump to keep his campaign promise and withdraw from the Agreement while other officials (e.g., Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, David Banks, Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner) want the United States to remain. A number of Congressional Republicans and businesses have also argued the United States should should remain in the Agreement. While no decision was made, there was consensus among senior officials that the United States should only stay in the Paris Agreement if they can negotiate new terms. Officials are expected to meet again in May for a final meeting ahead of the G7 Summit in Italy.Trump on Paris. In an interview, President Trump hinted... READ MORE |
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May 24, 2017
WEEK 12-13 FOR ENERGY & THE ENVIRONMENT: YOUR COMMENTS NEEDED TO PROTECT EPA REGULATORY PROTECTIONS APR 25, 2017 12:12 PM EDTSlashing Environmental Regulations. The Department of Commerce recently solicited comments from manufacturers, asking broadly which regulations the government could cut that would benefit domestic manufacturing. Nearly half of the 168 comments submitted in response targeted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including 48 targeting regulations promulgated under the Clean Air Act and 29 under the Clean Water Act. More recently, EPA issued a separate request for comment (due May 15) seeking input on regulations "that may be appropriate for repeal, replacement, or modification." It is likely that many of the industry comments calling for rollbacks of environmental regulations filed with Department of Commerce will be repeated in response to the EPA's request. For example, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce proposed extending the EPA's period for review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) from every 5 years to every 10 years. The EPA sets NAAQS for air pollutants such...READ MORE |
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May 24, 2017
WEEK 11 IN ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT: 25% PROPOSED CUTS TO EPA WORKFORCE, PRUITT AND CARBON DIOXIDE APR 10, 2017 2:52 PM EDTDeeper Cuts at EPA. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed a detailed plan to achieve a 31 percent budget cut, as outlined by President Trump's budget blueprint. EPA plans to lay off 25 percent of its workforce and scrap 56 programs, including those related to pesticide safety, water runoff control, and climate protection programs. The Administration defended the cuts, noting they are devolving authority to the states, localities, and in some cases, corporations. But with many states dependent upon federal programs and grants, their elimination could create a situation where no one is protecting our environment.Fox News pushes Pruitt on climate science. During an interview with Chris Wallace, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt walked back his claims last month that carbon dioxide is not a primary driver of climate change, and said, "human activity contributes to the change in some measures. The real issue is how much we contribute to it and measuring that with precisio... READ MORE |
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May 24, 2017
WEEK 10 IN ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT: PROPPING UP FOSSIL ENERGY PRODUCTION APR 5, 2017 5:27 PM EDTAs part of his America First Energy Plan, this week, President Trump signed an Executive Order on Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth aimed at increasing domestic fossil-fuel production while attacking Obama-era climate actions. This broad executive order:Directs federal agencies to to begin review discretionary actions (i.e, those not required by statute) that "potentially burden" domestic energy production, and to submit their draft findings within 120 days and finalized within 180 days. The OMB Director (Mick Mulvaney), in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy (Ashley Hickey Marquis), will oversee this process.Repeals climate- and energy-related presidential and regulatory actions issued by President Obama:Executive Order 13653, Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change (2013)Power Sector Carbon Pollution Standards (2013)Mitigating Impacts on Natural Resources from Development and Encouraging Related Private Investm... READ MORE |
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May 24, 2017
WEEK 9 IN ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT: KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE PERMIT APPROVED AND ETHICS ACTION AGAINST SCOTT PRUITT MAR 27, 2017 10:36 PM EDTBudgets. An analysis released this week shows that spending on federal contracts related to the environment in fiscal year 2016 reached 423 congressional districts. Almost half of the $5.9 billion went to districts represented by Republicans, which may present challenges when the Administration tries to pursue major spending cuts that affect these districts.Permits. Friday, the Trump administration approved a permit authorizing construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. This doesn't yet clear the path for TransCanada's $8 billion project, which still requires regulatory approval from the Nebraska Public Service Commission. That decision won't likely come until fall 2017. The State Department approved the project with an environmental impact assessment (EIA) conducted in 2014 and opponents argue both the project and energy markets have changed so much since then that a new EIA is needed. The Nebraska State government and organizations like the NRDC and Sierra Club are ready to challen... READ MORE |
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May 24, 2017
WEEK 8 IN ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT: TRUMP PROPOSES CUTTING EPA BUDGET BY ONE THIRD MAR 20, 2017 12:46 PM EDTBudgets. To much attention, this week the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released its proposed budget for the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year, which is none too friendly to environmental programs. The White House recommends a 31 percent cut to the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some of these cuts include slashing all funding for "the Clean Power Plan, international climate change programs, climate change research and partnership programs, and related efforts" and "regional efforts such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the Chesapeake Bay, and other geographic programs," as well as "Energy Star; Targeted Airshed Grants; the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program; and infrastructure assistance to Alaska Native Villages and the Mexico Border." There are a myriad of reasons why cutting funding for these programs would be a disaster. For example, over the last 22 years, the Energy Star program has helped save consumers more than $362 billion on utility bills. O... READ MORE |
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May 24, 2017
WEEK 7 FOR ENERGY & THE ENVIRONMENT: PRUITT AND CARBON DIOXIDE, REGULATION ROLLBACKS, AND THE PARIS AGREEMENT MAR 14, 2017 12:29 AM EDTU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt told CNBC this week he doesn't believe carbon dioxide is a primary contributor to climate change, and called for continued debate, review, and analysis. Though Pruitt has previously questioned the science of climate change, views contrary to established climate science coming from an EPA Administrator are still shocking. Pruitt's comments were met with widespread criticism and outrage from scientists, businesses, former EPA administrators, and the public. In an unusual display of furor over the Administrator's comments on climate science, Pruitt's office faced such a deluge of angry calls to his main line that by Friday, the EPA was forced to set up a temporary call center before forwarding calls to a voice mailbox by Saturday, which is also now full and not accepting new messages.In an attempt to appease different White House factions, the Trump administration is reportedly considering a plan to remain in the Par... READ MORE |
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May 24, 2017
WEEK 6 FOR ENERGY & THE ENVIRONMENT: EPA CUTS, METHANE REGULATIONS, AND INTERIOR & ENERGY DEPT. CONFIRMATIONS MAR 6, 2017 5:20 PM ESTThe Trump administration has proposed to cut the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) annual budget by 25 percent, from $8.2 billion to $6.1 billion. This would reduce EPA's staff by 25 percent, cut grants to states -- including some air and water programs -- by 30 percent, and eliminate several programs including those dealing with climate change. Although Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) called the proposal, "dead on arrival," the budget proposal gives an idea of the drastic shift in priorities of this administration.On Wednesday, the Senate voted to confirm Ryan Zinke to be the next Secretary of Interior. As secretary, Zinke will have to balance conservation with resource extraction. He describes himself as a "conservative conservationist." Zinke is expected to support federal control of public lands, and has outlined three main priorities: 1) addressing National Park Service's estimated $12.5 billion deferred maintenance backlog; 2) increasing employee morale; and 3) emphasiz... READ MORE |
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May 24, 2017
WEEK 5 FOR ENERGY & THE ENVIRONMENT: PRUITT'S EMAILS, DAPL PROTESTS, AND ANTI-ENVIRONMENT REGULATIONS FEB 27, 2017 1:53 PM ESTComplying with a court order, newly confirmed EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt released nearly 7,000 emails this week from his time as Oklahoma Attorney General. The emails demonstrate a cozy relationship between Pruitt and energy companies, reaffirming a 2014 New York Times report on Pruitt's close ties to fossil fuel companies. His relationship with Devon Energy, which donated $10,000 between Pruitt's 2010 and 2014 campaigns, was apparent in the emails. In one exchange, a Devon Energy executive offered to draft a letter for Pruitt to sign about the Bureau of Land Management's proposed rule on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. In another, a utility company executive sent an email thanking Pruitt after the EPA rescinded a federal compliance plan on Oklahoma for the EPA's regional haze rule.Trump for America, Inc., the non-profit formed to handle Trump's transition to office, raised approximately $6.5 million in private contributions, according to recently-released U.S. government fin... READ MORE |
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May 24, 2017
WEEK 4 IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT: PRUITT AND MULVANEY CONFIRMATIONS, STREAM PROTECTION OVERTURNED FEB 21, 2017 7:05 PM ESTIn a mostly party line vote, on Friday, the Senate confirmed Scott Pruitt as the next Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) broke with Democrats and voted for Pruitt, while Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) was the lone Republican who voted against him. (Senators Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and John McCain (R-AZ) did not vote.) Pruitt's vote comes on the heels of wave of protest by EPA employees and the day after a District judge in Oklahoma ruled the state's attorney general's office has until Tuesday to turn over thousands of documents related to Scott Pruitt's communications with oil, gas and coal groups. Pruitt refused to release the emails for more than two years and despite their imminent release, Senate Republicans ignored calls for additional time to consider Pruitt and pushed the vote through. With Pruitt in place, the White House is expected to issue several Executive Orders in the next week related to EPA and env... READ MORE |
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May 24, 2017
WEEK 3 FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT: THE DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE, PRUITT AND PITCHING A CARBON TAX FEB 13, 2017 4:49 PM ESTThe Trump administration approved the final permit, a 30-year easement under Lake Oahe in North Dakota, to allow the completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, whose reservation sits less than a mile from the pipeline route, vowed to fight the decision in court. The tribe objects to the pipeline's path running through sacred lands and so close to the source of the tribe's drinking water, fearing that any spill would poison their drinking water and water downstream. Environmentalists and other activists gathered last year to protest the pipeline in North Dakota and around the country, and national protests are ongoing. Additionally, the cities of Seattle, WA, and Davis, CA, moved to cut ties with Wells Fargo, in part because of the bank's status as a financier of the pipeline.A group of Republicans led by former Secretaries of State James Baker III and George Schultz and former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, met with senior White House officials to pi... READ MORE |
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May 24, 2017
WEEK 2 FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT: FERC CHAIR STEPS DOWN, REPUBLICANS ATTACK ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION REGULATIONS FEB 6, 2017 2:25 PM ESTLast week, high-level changes occurred at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), where Trump named Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur acting chair of the Commission. Meanwhile, Commissioner Norman Bay, an Obama appointee, announced that he would step down on Friday, February 3. Commissioner Bay's exit leaves just two commissioners on the five-member commission. Without a quorum, FERC will not be able to issue rules and orders, assess penalties for market manipulation, issue show-cause orders to propose penalties, or approve settlements. No one knows when a new commissioner will be nominated or confirmed, with estimates ranging from weeks to several months.Highlighting FERC's problems in the absence of a quorum, Senators Warren and Markey submitted a letter asking the Commission to rescind a recently issued order approving a new pipeline construction project that spans New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The senators raised concerns about the fairness of FERC's process in th... READ MORE |
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May 24, 2017
STAY INFORMED ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT: TRUMP'S FIRST WEEK FEB 2, 2017 1:01 AM ESTIn its first week, the Trump Administration has taken a number of actions addressing energy and environmental issues, including efforts aimed at curbing the EPA's work, promoting oil pipelines, and potentially eliminating pending regulations.Shortly after being sworn into office, President Trump's White House removed almost all mention of climate change from its website and replaced it with an America First Energy Plan page that emphasizes increasing production of fossil fuels and eliminating climate change policies.Later that day, Reince Priebus issued a memorandum freezing pending regulations for further review. This delays 30 EPA actions, including numerous state air plan approvals.On Tuesday, President Trump issued a series of executive actions pertaining to climate and energy. These actions:Provided expedited and simplified procedures for the Dakota Access Pipeline;Invited TransCanada to resubmit their application for the Keystone XL Pipeline using streamlined procedures;Direct...READ MORE |