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Race is on to define ‘Green New Deal’
The decision by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to bring up the “Green New Deal” for a Senate vote is prompting a rush to define the terms of progressive Democrats’ ambitious proposal to tackle climate change. GOP lawmakers are scrambling to highlight the possible side effects of the deal, outlined last week by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), in some cases relying on a document distributed and later disavowed by the New York Democrat’s office [ read more … ]
Policy & Politics
Los Angeles ditches plan to invest billions in fossil fuels, Mayor Eric Garcetti says
Los Angeles is abandoning a plan to spend billions of dollars rebuilding three natural gas power plants along the coast, Mayor Eric Garcetti said Monday, in a move to get the city closer to its goal of 100% renewable energy and improve air quality in highly polluted communities. The mayor’s decision marks an abrupt change of course for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, where top staffers have argued in recent months that the gas plants are critical to keeping the lights on in the city. Environmental groups have urged DWP to replace the aging facilities with cleaner alternatives, saying the gas-fired plants need to go because they contribute to climate change and local air pollution. [ read more … ]
NYC weighs plan to shut down all fossil fuel plants
New York City officials want to explore exactly how soon renewables and battery storage could displace natural gas as the Big Apple’s core source of backup power. A bill under consideration by the City Council’s environmental committee calls for sustainability authorities to study the storage potential of six battery types and whether they could allow renewable power to supplant all fossil fuel power plants — including 21 gas-fired ones — located in the city.
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Solar jobs drop for second straight year
Employment at U.S. solar companies declined in 2018 for the second year in a row, as the hangover from a nasty tariff battle outweighed overall growth in the economy. The Solar Foundation reported in its annual census that the nation employs 242,000 people in solar jobs, far more than the coal or nuclear industries but 18,000 fewer than two years ago. [ read more … ]
Solar industry urges Trump to reverse tariffs after job losses
“The impact these unnecessary tariffs are having on America’s economy and its workers should not be ignored,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “The damage, from a decline in jobs to a decline in deployment, far outweighs any potential benefits the administration intended.”
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The Energy 202: ‘There’s no reason for us to wait.’ Four more Dem governors join alliance to uphold Paris climate goals
Some states aren’t waiting around for Congress to pass a Green New Deal to tackle climate change. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) plans to announced yesterday that he’s joining the U.S. Climate Alliance. Evers is the latest of four newly elected Democratic governors to join the group of states that have pledged to meet the goals outlined in the Paris climate accord, even though Trump vowed to withdraw the United States from the global pact meant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, New MexicoGov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced their participation in recent weeks. [ read more … ]
States are already working on ‘Green New Deal’
The outlines of a carbon-free electric sector are already becoming apparent outside the nation’s capital. Minnesota, New Mexico, New York and Washington state are all considering legislation this year to decarbonize their power sectors. With the exception of Minnesota, where Republicans control the Senate, those bills stand a reasonable chance of passing. The states offer a potentially important blueprint for national climate hawks. Each bill proposes dramatic increases in renewable energy generation. Yet they also leave the door open to traditional low-carbon resources like nuclear and hydro, as well as potential new technologies. [ read more … ]
Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.