Welcome to Friday’s Overnight Environment & Energy.The latest news about energy, environment and everything in between. Subscribe hereAnd You can view the entire edition here.
Today, we look at a new EU/European power deal, FERC backtracking regarding pipeline requirements, and another offshore wind power announcement.
Rachel Frazin, Zack Budryk and I are The Hill’s editors. Send tips to [email protected], [email protected].
Let’s get going.
USA and EU work together to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russia
Friday’s announcement by the United States of America and the European Commission was part of a series of steps to wean European nations from Russian gas. This is the latest effort to punish Russia’s economy following its invasion in Ukraine.
Both sides A task force was establishedAfter a meeting between President Biden, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, “to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian fossilfuels and strengthen European Energy Security”
The goal is for European countries to be prepared for next winter. They will need to have a steady supply of energy, not rely on Russia’s natural gas. Russia’s natural gas has given Moscow considerable leverage and has been a key component of Russia’s economy.
How does it work?The agreement will see the United States working with international partners to provide more liquefied petroleum gas (LNG) to the rest of the world. The United States and its partners will supply at most 15 billion cubic meters of LNG by 2022. However, it is not yet clear how much will be supplied from the United States.
The European Commission committed to working with EU member states to ensure that demand for LNG from the U.S. is at least 50 billion cubic meters by 2030.
The task force will also be focusing on steps to reduce greenhouse gas dependence and build renewable energy infrastructure in Europe.
The task force will focus on reducing Europe’s demand for natural gas by improving infrastructure to reduce reliance on natural gases in favor of solar and renewable energy.
Brett Samuels, The Hill’s editor, has more.
Pipeline effects are being reassessed by the regulator
Thursday night, a federal energy regulator voted unanimously to withdraw a policy that would have assessed the climate effects of existing natural-gas pipelines.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, (FERC), stated in its Thursday meeting that the proposal would be treated only as a draft. It will not be used for any future pipeline projects.
“Over the past month, I’ve had talks with many pipeline and oil companies. [liquefied natural gas]Chairman Richard Glick was appointed by President Biden to chair FERC and was nominated by former President Trump. “What I heard was that policy statements raised additional questions that could be clarified.”
Glick stated that FERC’s approach in recent years to natural gas pipeline regulation “hasn’t been consistent with [our legal responsibilities], and the courts keep telling us that,” citing the D.C. Circuit Court has contradicted FERC regarding pipeline or liquefied gas (LNG), certificates.
The story so far:After years of criticism from environmental groups who had accused the agency of rubber stamping pipelines without regard to their environmental impact, the FERC approved this policy in February. The 2020 House Oversight and Reform Committee investigation found that the agency has approved almost 99 percent of pipeline projects within the last 20 years.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), however, and Republicans strongly criticized the policy, especially in light of rising gas prices and volatility within the energy market following Russia’s invasion. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.The ranking member of Senate Energy Committee was John Barrasso (R.Wyo). He stated in a statement that the agency should “return to the drawing board and begin over with these harmful proposals.”
Learn more about the reverse here.
Officials announce wind power lease in Carolina
Friday morning saw the Biden administration announce the first offshore lease sale of wind energy off the coasts of the Carolinas. This was part of a larger goal of installing 30 gigawatts.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, (BOEM), will auction off two lease areas covering 110,091 acre in the Carolina Long Bay on May 11. After development, the Interior Department estimates that the area could produce 1.3 gigawatts offshore energy.
“The Biden–Harris administration is committed towards supporting a robust clean-energy economy, and the upcoming Carolina Long Bay off-shore wind energy auction provides yet an excellent opportunity to strengthen clean-energy industry while creating good paying union jobs,” Interior Secretary Deb Haland stated in a statement.
“This is a historic moment for domestic offshore wind energy development. We will continue to use all the tools in our toolbox to address the climate crisis, reduce our emissions and reach the bold goals of the President, and advance environmental justice.”
The goal of 30 gigawatts is part of the larger goal of the Biden administration to reduce America’s carbon emissions by half by 2030. The administration released a roadmap to offshore wind power in autumn 2020. It envisions installations along the east and west coasts of America, as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
You can read more about the announcement here.
ON TAP NEAREST WEEK
Tuesday:
Thursday:
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The Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee will host a HearingTo examine the challenges and opportunities facing domestic critical mineral mining, processing and refining, as well as reprocessing.
Friday:
VIRTUAL EVENT INVITATION
Driving Tomorrow: Electric Vehicles & AutoVets-Tuesday, February 29 at 1:00 PM ET
The world of automobiles is changing rapidly due to climate change, technological advances and innovation. How can we design an infrastructure framework that supports sustainability as batteries, chips and charging stations become increasingly important? How can electric vehicles be made affordable and accessible for all drivers? Are autonomous vehicles possible to make roads safer? Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., Rep. Bob Latta (R.Ohio), EVgo CEO Cathy Zoi. Marc Bedard, Lion Electric.For more information, join The Hill. RSVP now
WHAT WE ARE READING
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Colleges that train drillers or miners are under fire from climate changeE&E News)
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Alaska air pollution has clues for other Arctic climatesThe Associated Press)
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Treasury Secretary Yellen: The United States should have moved more quickly toward renewable energy (CNBC)
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According to a report, streams and rivers in Delaware, Maryland, and Maryland are the most polluted.The Delaware News Journal)
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New Mexico’s Methane Leaks Exceed Current Estimates. Study suggests (The New York Times)
ICYMI
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American Indian communities benefit lessStudy: Air Pollution Trends in the Downwards
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Russia destroys Chernobyl laboratory, and gains ‘highly active’ samples
And last but not least, something a bit offbeat and a little on-beat A heavy bird-en
This concludes today’s post. We appreciate your reading. Visit The Hill’s website. Energy & Environment pageGet the latest news and coverage. We will see you Monday.
