CLIMATE: The U.S. and other wealthy western countries are the best-equipped to curb pollution and build out renewables, but have still committed to fossil fuel projects that could release 12 billion tons of planet-warming emissions over their lifetimes. (The Guardian)
ALSO:
- Republican state attorneys general ask the Supreme Court to temporarily block the U.S. EPA’s power plant emissions rule after a federal appeals court declined to do so. (CNN)
- The U.S. and China announce preliminary details of a collaborative crackdown on ozone-depleting nitrous oxide. (Inside Climate News)
- Scientists say Sunday marked the Earth’s hottest day on the books — until an even hotter Monday broke that record. (Axios)
POLITICS:
- Former President Trump has suggested he’d undo electric vehicle-boosting emissions rules if he’s elected, but has “surprisingly” not said much about solar power, observers note. (E&E News)
- Trump straddles a line between complimenting electric vehicles — Tesla in particular — and railing against EV incentives and mandates. (New York Times)
- Ohio advocates work to leverage federal clean energy funding as soon as possible, fearing a potential second Trump administration could scale back the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. (Energy News Network)
BUILDINGS: The U.S. General Services Administration, which runs the nation’s federal buildings, is using Inflation Reduction Act funding to decarbonize its infrastructure and derisk new technologies that can help other buildings cut their emissions. (Canary Media)
RENEWABLES: While new state measures and federal funds are helping smooth the way for substantially more solar in Pennsylvania, “fossil fuels aren’t going anywhere” amid pro-carbon capture and hydrogen production policies. (Spotlight PA)
CARBON CAPTURE: Members of a Louisiana task force won’t discuss why the group is five months late issuing a report on the impacts of building out carbon capture, leading critics to charge that the state has embraced the fledgling industry without due diligence. (Floodlight)
OIL & GAS:
- California lawmakers and advocates slam regulators for allowing an oil company merger without requiring new reclamation bonds, saying it could leave taxpayers with a $2.4 billion cleanup bill. (ProPublica)
- Georgia regulators consider Georgia Power’s request to fast-track the construction of three natural gas-fired units at a power plant to meet escalating demand, which critics say perpetuates fossil fuels instead of advancing renewables. (Georgia Recorder)
PERMITTING: Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich steps behind the latest attempt at permitting legislation, saying it would speed the buildout of transmission lines, geothermal power, and other renewable energy. (E&E News)
COAL: Ratepayers in grid operator MISO’s territory paid $1.1 billion more for electricity than they should have over the past three years as utilities ran coal plants to meet demand instead of cheaper, cleaner alternatives, according to a Natural Resources Defense Council report. (E&E News, subscription)
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