environment-climate-news
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Senators Consider Renewable Fuel Standard Reform
Opinion -Several U.S. senators are working on legislation to reduce the cost of complying with the Renewable Fuel Standard requirement that U.S. oil refiners blend biofuels, mainly ethanol derived from corn, into gasoline and diesel fuel. -
Natural Gas Industry Has Little Effect on Global Temperatures, Study Finds
Opinion -A new study shows methane emissions from the oil and natural gas sector have a much smaller effect on atmospheric temperatures than previously thought. -
Another Carbon Dioxide Tax Proposal Fails in Washington State
Opinion -The state of Washington’s latest attempt to pass a carbon dioxide tax has failed. -
Wind Industry Subsidies Under Fire in Oklahoma
Opinion -State legislators and other elected officials in Oklahoma are beginning to roll back generous tax incentives previously given to the state’s wind-energy industry. -
Mass Transit Ridership Is Falling in Southern California, Study Finds
Opinion -A new study finds commuters are increasingly choosing to use cars over mass transit in Southern California. -
President’s Infrastructure Tax Idea Sparks Backlash
Opinion -President Donald Trump recently suggested increasing the federal gasoline tax by 25 cents per gallon to help pay for his proposed $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan. -
Feds Investigate Arizona Wind Farm for Killing Protected Species
Opinion -Federal authorities have opened a criminal investigation of a southern Arizona wind farm for the deaths of an endangered bat and a federally protected golden eagle. -
Legislative Pulse: Opposing ‘Cap-and-Swindle,’ ‘Ineptitude,’ Secrecy
Opinion -Two-term Oregon state Sen. Alan Olsen is fighting against a carbon tax and fighting for government transparency. -
EPA Review Could End California’s Vehicle Emissions’ Waiver
Opinion -Scott Pruitt, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, testified the agency was reexamining California’s waiver to impose stricter vehicle emission standards under the 1970 Clean Air Act than federal requirements. -
California, Activists Sue Trump To Enforce Obama Era Fracking Rules
Opinion -The state of California and others are suing the Trump Administration seeking to force it impose Obama-era rules regulating fracking on federal lands requiring operators to disclose chemicals used in fracking and setting standards for well construction. -
New York Gov. Cuomo Pushes Ambitious Offshore Wind Energy Plan
Opinion -New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo released a comprehensive “New York State Offshore Wind Master Plan” to guide the development of 2.4 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030. -
Colorado Supreme Court Takes Up Childrens’ Climate Lawsuit
Opinion -the Colorado Supreme Court hears opening arguments in a lawsuit pitting a group of six children backed by an environmental activist group against the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. -
Atlantic Coast Pipeline Plan Clears Key Regulatory Hurdles
Opinion -North Carolina and West Virginia have approved key environmental permits for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project. -
Overseas Companies Promise President Increases in U.S. Investments
Opinion -The tax reform bill advocated by President Donald Trump and passed by Congress in late December is encouraging overseas companies to increase their investments in the United States. -
Washington Governor Rejects Oil and Gas Terminal
Opinion -Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has rejected a proposal to establish a massive oil-by-rail terminal along the Columbia River. -
Park Service Considers Entrance Fee Increases
Opinion -The National Park Service has proposed increasing the fees charged to visit some of the nation’s most popular parks. -
Activist Groups Sue EPA Over Advisory Panel Reforms
Opinion -Various activist groups are suing the Environmental Protection Agency in an attempt to overturn its decision to end the policy of allowing people who receive research grants from EPA to serve on its scientific advisory panels. -
Governor Pushes New Jersey to Rejoin Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Opinion -Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey signed an executive order starting the process for New Jersey to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative -
EPA Ends ‘Once-in-Always-in’ Policy
Opinion -In a major policy reversal, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it was ending its “Once-in-Always-in” policy on pollution sources. -
Puerto Rico Moves to Privatize Troubled Electric Utility
Opinion -In response to ongoing problems, Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló announced plans to sell the insolvent Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. -
Peer-Reviewed Anti-Fracking Study Retracted Due to Errors
Opinion -A study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres was retracted in January after an “error in wind measurement” led the writers to overstate methane leakage rates. -
Carbon Dioxide Restrictions Bill Introduced in Congress
Opinion -United States Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) introduced companion bills to limit carbon dioxide emissions from major industries, under a national cap and tax system. -
Maine Gov. LePage Places Moratorium on New Wind Energy Projects
Opinion -Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) signed an executive order imposing a de facto moratorium on permits for new wind turbines in western and coastal Maine. -
Oregon Proposes Expensive Carbon Cap Legislation
Opinion -Oregon lawmakers unveiled draft companion bills in the state Senate and House designed to force reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.
