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U.S. Carbon Emissions Surged in 2018 Even as Coal Plants Closed
America’s carbon dioxide emissions rose by 3.4 percent in 2018, the biggest increase in eight years, according to a preliminary estimate published Tuesday. Strikingly, the sharp uptick in emissions occurred even as a near-record number of coal plants around the United States retired last year, illustrating how difficult it could be for the country to make further progress on climate change in the years to come, particularly as the Trump administration pushes to roll back federal regulations that limit greenhouse gas emissions. [ read more … ]
Policy & Politics
Trump Is Giving Oil Industry a Bye in Shutdown, Critics Allege
The partial U.S. government shutdown has docked fishing boats in Alaska, delayed public meetings on a proposed wind farm off the Massachusetts coast and blocked pharmaceutical companies from seeking approval for new drugs. But the Trump administration is working overtime to make sure the shutdown doesn’t halt oil drilling too — in ways critics say may flout federal law. [ read more … ]
New California governor promises to fight Trump on climate
New California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) today pledged to make the Golden State a leader in opposing the policies of the Trump administration on climate change and other issues. Newsom took the oath of office at the state Capitol in Sacramento with his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and their children at his side. He succeeds outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown (D), whom Newsom credited for leadership on fighting global warming. [ read more … ]
Washington state follows California lead on vehicle emissions
New vehicles in Washington will be required to meet the most stringent emissions standards in the country, regardless of whether the Trump administration is successful in rolling back those requirements, state officials announced on Wednesday. Under the new rule adopted by the Washington Department of Ecology, new vehicles licensed in the state will continue meeting California’s standards, which aim to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that cars and trucks emit through 2025. [ read more … ]
As climate change rises to top of Democratic agenda, New Jersey’s Frank Pallone gains a front-row seat
The Democratic congressman from the Jersey Shore passed on a chance to seize a Senate vacancy in 2002. He tried in 2013 but lost a primary race to Sen. Cory Booker. Now, more than 30 years after joining the U.S. House, he has landed one of the chamber’s most powerful positions, leading the Committee on Energy and Commerce. [ read more … ]
MidAmerican Wind X11 site locations unknown
MidAmerican Energy has proposed an additional investment of $922 million for its Wind XII project expected to be completed in late 2020 “somewhere in Iowa.” Over the past three years, MidAmerican Energy has moved forward with its Wind XI project, that when combined with Wind XII, will provide customers with 100 percent renewable energy on an annual basis. And, like MidAmerican’s previous wind projects, Wind XII will be accomplished without the need to ask for an increase in customers’ rates [ read more … ]
Justices reject Exxon appeal in Mass. climate case
The Supreme Court will not help Exxon Mobil Corp. fend off part of an investigation by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. The justices today declined Exxon’s request that they review a state court order requiring the oil giant to hand over documents as Healey looks into whether the company illegally misled investors about climate change impacts. [ read more … ]
Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.