State regulators now may participate more fully in the long-term regional transmission planning process under newly adopted modifications to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC’s) Order No. 1920 rule. “I applaud my colleagues for helping us achieve this bipartisan, unanimous compromise, which will benefit all Americans,” FERC Chairman Willie Phillips said Thursday. Approved on Nov....
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Biden proposes to restrict pollution from new gas plants
The Biden administration has proposed a rule that it says will reduce pollution stemming from new gas-fired power plants and other industrial facilities. The proposal would require these plants to cut their emissions of pollutants known as nitrogen oxides, which can lead to smog formation and contribute to asthma in people with long-term exposure. The agency said the regulation...
Why Going Nuclear Is Vital to America
Production of clean, safe, and reliable nuclear energy is a vital part of America’s energy future. Once a reactor is built, it becomes a lasting part of America’s energy infrastructure. An insightful new book by Jack Spencer, “Nuclear Revolution: Powering the Next Generation” (Optimum Publishing International) describes what America has to do to ramp up...
Addressing the National Park Service’s Maintenance Backlog
However, despite the increased federal investment into these parks, the National Park Service (NPS) faces a significant deferred maintenance backlog, with numerous projects behind schedule or overdue.
LNG is stepping up to solve Europe gas woes, but at a price
Concerns that Europe is facing a natural gas supply crunch this winter are overblown, with the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market already stepping up to avoid any shortfall, albeit at higher prices. European natural gas prices climbed to the highest level in two years last week, with the benchmark front-month contract at the Dutch TTF...
As Holiday Travel Kicks Off, Sustainable Aviation is Gaining Momentum
The holiday season is a time for family and friends. It’s also a time of busy travel, as Thanksgiving and Christmas are among the busiest travel days of the year. With that comes grumbling about congested airports and steep ticket prices. In an effort to reduce costs and reduce the environmental impact of air travel,...
Trump taps loyalist Rollins for USDA chief in surprise pick
If confirmed, Rollins will also oversee the country’s largest anti-hunger program, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It provides food aid benefits to more than 40 million low-income Americans and Republicans are eyeing ways to rein in future spending on the program as part of a major 2025 reconciliation package, as POLITICO has reported. She...
Manchin, Capito Announce Progress Empowering West Virginia to Permit Carbon Storage Projects
Today, Senator Joe Manchin III (I-WV), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed granting West Virginia the authority to oversee and administer the Class VI well...
In North Carolina, conservative clean energy supporters aren’t worried
Mark Fleming has a prediction for those terrified about the impact of a second Trump administration on the clean energy transition: “It’s going to work out better than folks think.” Fleming is head of Conservatives for Clean Energy, a Raleigh-based nonprofit that brings together lobbyists, consultants, and politicians on the right who support clean energy. The group formed a decade ago,...
Air Pollution Will Probably Still Decline Under the Second Trump Presidency
Given President-elect Donald J. Trump’s critical rhetoric about environmental regulation, it is natural to wonder what the future of pollution reduction will look like under his next presidential term, as regulations are the primary policy mechanism by which air pollution is managed in the United States. Although it would be understandable to assume that pollution...