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Today, we will be looking at the comments of the president on a possible Russian invasion and how it could affect energy prices. We will also discuss a possible suspension of the gas tax and a push for green manufacturing from the White House.
Rachel Frazin, Zack Budryk and I are The Hill’s editors. Send us tips to [email protected] or [email protected] Follow us on twitter: @RachelFrazinAnd @BudrykZack.
Let’s get going.
President warns about rising energy prices
Tuesday was a day of warning for President Biden There will be consequences for Americans back homeRussia could invade Ukraine by raising gas prices.
“I will not pretend that this will go smoothly, there could be an impact upon our energy prices. Biden spoke at the White House and stated that we are taking active measures to increase pressure on our energy markets to offset rising prices.
These steps include coordination with major energy consumers and producers, and working with Congress to identify additional measures to address the impact on gas prices.
A fresh warning:In his remarks, the president warned Vladimir Putin not to invade Ukraine. He said it would be a “self inflicted wound” for Russia. He urged Russia not to invade Ukraine, citing the efforts of the Biden administration to deter the Kremlin. U.S. officials warned that an attack could occur at any moment.
“To be clear: if Russia decides it is time to invade, it would also have consequences at home. Biden stated that the American people know that defending democracy is not always without cost.
The background information…According to the U.S Energy Information Administration, Russia was the third largest supplier of foreign petroleum to the U.S. in 2020. It also contributed 7 percent of all imported oil. In 2019, Russia exported $13 billion worth of mineral fuels to America, which was more than half the total goods shipped to America.
Dems’ holiday plan for gas tax holidays is met with pushback
A group of Senate Democrats has proposed to suspend the gas tax amid high prices. This is facing bipartisan resistance, underscoring the difficulty in passing the legislation.
Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Maggie Hassan, Raphael Warnock(Ga.), and Catherine Cortez Masto(Nev.), all of whom are up for reelection this November along with Democratic Sens. Debbie Stabenow (Mich.), Jacky Rosen (Nev.), introduced legislation that would suspend the 18-cent-per-gallon fuel tax until 2023.
However, the idea is facing resistance from GOP senators. The legislation would need their support, as well some Democrats who are showing early skepticism.
What did the Republicans say?“I think it’s just an easily understood political move to give political coverage to a handful Democrat that are up in States this year where gasoline prices are going to become a big problem,” said Senator John Thune (S.D.).The No. 2 Senate Republican.
Senator Lisa Murkowski (Republican from Alaska) stated that a temporary suspension to the gas tax was not sufficient to address the larger problem.
Murkowski stated, “My view is the bigger problem is we need be producing more of what’s here, rather than relying upon it for others.”
The Washington PostOn Tuesday, it was reported that the Biden administration as well as Democrats are considering suspending the gas tax for the remainder of the year. The White House stated that all options are open to them. On Tuesday, Senate Democrats discussed the idea in a closed-door caucus lunch. This was to discuss economic issues at the “kitchen table” and keep an eye on the midterm elections.
“We are focused to getting costs down, so you’re going see a lot more activity in March…from us on that issue,” Senator Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D.N.Y.) stated to reporters.
Schumer said that Democrats are having a “caucus conversation” about the gas tax, but that they have not yet taken a position as a caucus.
However, the idea has been resisted by some Democrats.
And what about Democratic skeptics. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), warned that suspending gas tax would “just not make sense” as it could negatively affect federal highway funds.
Manchin stated, “People want their roads and bridges, we have an infrastructure bill that we just passed this year, and they want it all taken away.”
Continue reading from The Hill’s Jordain Cartney.
ON THE RISE
According to a Tuesday report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, sea levels along the coasts of the United States are expected to rise up to one foot between now and 2050. This is an increase equal to that seen over the past century.
Gina McCarthy, White House climate advisor, said that the finding was a “reconfirmation of our climate crisis…is blinking code red”.
NOAA projects that sea levels will rise 10 to 12 inches over the next 30 years, with regional variations. The report projects that the Gulf Coast will see the largest increase, with a 14-18 inch increase. It is followed by the East Coast, which is expected to see an increase of 10-14 inches. NOAA forecasts a 4-8 inch increase on the West Coast. However, 8-10 inches is expected for the Caribbean.
It also stated that major flooding events will occur on average once every five years, which is a sharp increase over current levels.
Find out more about the most recent findings here.
COMING SOON FROM THILL
Introduce NotedDC: The HillA commentary on the beat of Beltway. Subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here.
Officials from Biden try to reduce industrial emissions
Tuesday was the Biden administration’s day. It announced a host of actions to promote green manufacturing and combat climate change.
The White House has released a new fact sheet that outlines its plans to achieve this goal through a number of initiatives, including boosting clean hydrogen energy and using federal government purchasing power to support climate goals.
Wait…why does federal buying sound familiar?The Postal Service’s decision to largely replace its fleet by gas-powered rather than electric vehicles is the reason for the purchase.
Louis DeJoy is the leader of the Postal Service, which Biden cannot replace. DeJoy stated that the mostly gasoline-powered fleet is the more economical option, much to the dismay of congressional Democrats and administration officials.
The hydrogen specifics…The Energy Department announced that it will make a move towards carrying out the programs initiated by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on Clean Hydrogen – which is when hydrogen is produced using clean energies – by issuing new information requests from stakeholders.
According to the White House’s factsheet, hydrogen efforts will be especially important for sectors and processes that are difficult to decarbonize, such as steel manufacturing.
$8 billion initiative to establish regional hydrogen hubs to promote hydrogen production, storage, and use is the largest hydrogen program in bipartisan legislation.
A $1 billion initiative to support research and development will be requested. This will help to cut costs and increase efficiency.
The buying details…Its purchasing efforts include efforts by the General Services Administration (GSA) to purchase low-carbon concrete, asphalt. It also includes efforts to use cleaner material in federal transportation projects at Department of Transportation, including a pilot program that incentivizes the acquisition of low-carbon materials and the creation of a DOT Working Group that will assess and take action to reduce emissions from construction materials used for transportation infrastructure.
It will also expand an effort by the State Department known as the First Movers Coalition. This coalition aims to help companies leverage their purchasing power to drive demand and supply clean goods to include the carbon, chemicals, and aluminum removal sectors.
So what’s the deal?The large-scale green manufacturing effort is also important as the U.S. industrial sector (which includes manufacturing and construction) accounts for almost a quarter of all the country’s contribution to climate change. Steel and cement are among the most difficult industries to reduce emissions due to technological or cost-related issues.
Learn more about the push by the administration here.
TAP FOR TOMORROW
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The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will vote to approve two nominees for the EPA, and then hold a hearing. HearBiofuels
WHAT WE’RE READING
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White House Takes a Strike at Environmental Racism, But Won’t Mention Racism (The New York Times)
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AP FACT CHECK: Biden takes half steps on electric vehiclesThe Associated Press)
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Alberta will increase oil sands emissions standards to reward Canadian polluters (Reuters)
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Red Hill housing in Hawaii is no longer under water advisory by the Hawaii Health Department (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
ICYMI
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New study casts doubtClimate benefits of ethanol
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Senate Bill passedTo make an ex-internment camp national historic location
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UN report: Pollution causing more deathsMore than the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic
And last but not least, something totally offbeat but ON-beat Did you catch the EV Superbowl ads this weekend?
This is it for today. Thanks for reading. Check out The Hill. Energy & Environment pageFor the most recent news and coverage. We’ll be there Wednesday.
