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World Awaits Trump Decision on U.S. Future in Paris Accord
Momentous arguments inside the West Wing over the future of the Paris climate accord became a messy public spectacle on Wednesday, with some aides saying that President Trump had decided to abandon the landmark global warming agreement while others insisted that no decision had been made. Three administration officials with direct knowledge of the intense White House debate said early Wednesday morning that Mr. Trump was expected to withdraw the United States from the 2015 climate change accord that committed nearly every nation to take action to curb the warming of the planet. In addition, three other officials said later Wednesday that they expected him to withdraw from the agreement, though they said that decision could still change. Hours later, Mr. Trump said on Twitter that he had made his decision and would announce it in the Rose Garden at 3 p.m. Thursday. [ read more … ]
Renewable Energy Expected to Continue Growth, Despite Trump
President Donald Trump may abandon U.S. pledges to reduce carbon emissions, but global economic realities ensure he is unlikely to reverse the accelerating push to adopt cleaner forms of energy. Around the world, coal-fired power plants are being shuttered as governments and private companies invest billions in wind turbines and solar farms. Even in regions of the U.S. where coal is plentiful, electric utilities are increasingly shifting to cheaper, cleaner-burning natural gas. In the absence of federal action to address climate change, some left-leaning states such as California and New York are moving ahead with ambitious clean-energy policies of their own. [ read more … ]
States, Cities Pledge Action on Climate Even Without Trump
Dozens of states and many cities have policies intended to reduce emissions of greenhouses gases and deal with the effects of rising temperatures. And plans for more are in the works. In left-leaning locales, it’s good politics. Even in red states where resistance is strong to the idea that humans are causing the planet to heat up, flood prevention and renewable energy are considered smart business. [ read more … ]
Exxon and Conoco Reiterate Support for Paris Climate Deal
Utility owners including Consolidated Edison Inc. and the energy unit of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. said Wednesday that they would continue investing in gas, wind and solar power as they seek to cut emissions. “Energy industry economics and investments have been moving for many years toward more renewables, smart technology, energy efficiency, and we expect that direction to continue,” said Michael Clendenin, a spokesman for New York-based ConEd. [ read more … ]
California Senate passes package to offset Trump on environment
California’s Senate yesterday stepped up promised efforts to push back against the Trump administration, passing a package of bills to protect federal standards in the Golden State, even if rules are repealed or softened nationally “We won’t allow Californians to suffer the consequences of Donald Trump’s reckless slash-and-burn approach to the environment,” state Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de León (D) said in a statement. “These measures safeguard public health and ensure we continue to make policy based on the best available science, not ‘alternative facts’ or polluter propaganda.”
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E.U., China to make major climate announcement
The European Union and China will issue a statement Friday declaring climate change “an imperative more than ever” in the face of expected U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. A final draft statement seen by E&E News, prepared for a meeting Friday, is the first-ever bilateral agreement on climate change between the European Union and China. It will be backed by all 28 E.U. member states, including the United Kingdom. [ read more … ]
Governor to lead first all-Iowa farm trade mission to China
Gov. Kim Reynolds will lead a first-ever, all-Iowa agricultural trade mission to China in July with the goal of bolstering exports of the state’s farm commodities. Reynolds, who became the state’s chief executive last week after former Gov. Terry Branstad became U.S. ambassador to China, said Tuesday that the 10-day trip will be significant because all of Iowa’s farm groups have not previously joined together for overseas trade mission.
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Musk says he’ll leave adviser’s role if Trump exits pact
Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk is threatening to leave his role as a White House adviser if President Trump exits the Paris climate agreement. In a tweet this afternoon, Musk said he had done all he could to persuade Trump and White House officials on staying in the international pact. When a follower asked him directly what he would do if Trump decides to leave, Musk wrote: “Will have no choice to depart councils in that case.” [ read more … ]
Merricourt Wind Farm will yield value for customers
Together with new, state-of-the-art natural gas-fired generation (with natural gas sourced partly from North Dakota’s Williston Basin and Dakota Gasification Company’s plant near Beulah), Merricourt is part of our company’s two-part plan to reliably and economically meet our customers’ energy needs, replace expiring capacity purchase agreements, and prepare for the 2021 retirement of the 1950s-era 140-megawatt Powder River Basin coal-fired Hoot Lake Plant in Fergus Falls, Minn. [ read more … ]
Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.