View this email in a web browser.
Wind makes record strides, but trouble lies ahead
Wind energy surged to provide 6.3 percent of electricity last year, but tax shifts and low natural gas prices could put a “damper” on future growth, according to three reports released today by the Department of Energy. The sweeping reports from three national labs assess the status through 2017 of U.S. utility-scale wind, offshore wind and distributed wind. [ read more … ]
EPA’s new ACE rule is a coal lifeline ‘disguised as a GHG regulation,’ critics say
The Environmental Protection Agency’s new carbon emissions rule for the power sector could end up increasing greenhouse gas pollution more than if there was no regulation at all, critics of the plan said Tuesday. “In many ways, this proposal is a way to extend the life of coal plants disguised as a greenhouse gas regulation,” said Meredith Hankins, a professor of Environmental Law and Policy at UCLA [ read more … ]
Policy & Politics
Agency could ditch key part of ACE if courts rule against it
EPA’s plan to make it cheaper for power plants to become more efficient could also lead to legal headaches for the agency’s newest climate rule. The source of the trouble is EPA’s proposal to loosen certain permitting requirements when operators make significant improvements to their facilities. The measure is an important part of the proposed Affordable Clean Energy rule. [ read more … ]
Dems question FERC over chief of staff role in coal, nuke bailout
Two prominent Congressional Democrats asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Wednesday for an explanation for statements made recently by its chief of staff, Anthony Pugliese, saying they “call into question the impartiality and independence of the Commission.” Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wa., and Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said in a letter to FERC Chair Kevin McIntyre that Pugliese’s recent statement that FERC is helping the Trump administration with a bailout for coal and nuclear plants raises questions about his “independence from political pressure.” The Democrats are the ranking members on energy committees in the Senate and House, respectively. [ read more … ]
Why The US Army Looks to Wind Energy for Veterans Jobs
The Department of Defense’s push for renewable energy has taken a back seat during the Trump* Administration, but new programs are still getting under way. One development of interest to the business community is located at Fort Benning in Georgia. This summer, the post launched a new training course that qualifies graduates for entry-level positions in the wind power industry and related fields. [ read more … ]
Apple Buys Rights to Series Based on New York Times Climate Change Article
LOS ANGELES — A recent New York Times Magazine article about climate change and the political forces that have stymied efforts to combat the phenomenon will become an Apple television project. [ read more … ]
Audi Unveils Electric PB18 e-tron Supercar During Monterey Car Week
The PB18 e-tron follows another electric concept, the Audi Aicon, which debuted in 2017. But where that one was designed as a fully automated, long-distance luxury vehicle, like a self-flying business jet for the road, the PB18 e-tron is supposed to be a radical machine for the racetrack. [ read more … ]
Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.