A new federal program invests more than $6 billion to reduce emissions from transportation. The EPA is currently looking at cutting emissions from natural gas plants, and the General Services Administration announces a milestone in emissions.
This is Overnight Energy & EnvironmentThe latest news on energy, the environment, and beyond is available at. For The Hill, wereRachel FrazinandZack Budryk.Register here
Transportation Dept. $6B is allocated to combat emissions
The Federal Highway Administration will contribute more than $6 billion to state carbon reduction efforts, according to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Wednesday, April 12, 2009
The Carbon Reduction Program (CRP), which is funded by the bipartisan legislation on infrastructure, will be used to fund local and state projects that aim to reduce road-based carbon dioxide emissions. These could include infrastructure improvements to improve the cycling environment or electrify freight vehicles.
What is in the program The program will provide $6.4 trillion in formula funding for states and localities over a period of five years. It would be contingent on reducing transportation based emissions.
Buttigieg stated in a statement that transportation is the largest sector in the U.S. that produces the most carbon dioxide. The President’s ambitious goal to reduce emissions by half by 2030 will be met through the Carbon Reduction Program.
How is this different to other transportation programs? On Wednesday, a Transportation Department official confirmed that the program was distinct from other transportation initiatives with similar goals such as the Highway Safety Improvement Program.
The idea behind the program is to provide funding to states but also flexibility so that they can make investments that will meet the primary purpose. However, the program should allow for flexibility. [the fact that]Each state may have a different mix or investments they wish to make, according to the official. There may be overlap with other programs, but each program has its rules and eligibility.
Learn more about the program.
EPA floats emissions cuts to gas plants
As it waits for a Supreme Court decision that could limit its regulatory powers, the Environmental Protection Agency is exploring ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from gas-fired power plants.
The agency on Thursday issued a new technical white paper that laid out potential ways to limit the plants contributions to climate change.
These include efficiency improvements, cofiring natural gas and other fuels like hydrogen, and implementing carbon capture technology. This prevents the plants emissions from heating the planet and going into the atmosphere.
In a statement, the agency stated that while its paper isn’t targeted at any particular policy, it expects that the paper will inform its future rulemaking efforts.
This paper is published ahead of a Supreme Court ruling that could limit its authority to regulate climate contributions from power plants.
The court is weighing whether the agency can attempt to reshape parts of the economy like the energy sector through regulation, or if its powers are confined to the source of the climate pollution.
Michael Regan, EPA administrator, indicated to Congress that he was awaiting the decision to proceed with regulations regarding power plants.
Were going to be ready to go as soon as the Supreme Court rules, he said.
The story so far: A major partisan battle has been fought over regulations for power plants. The Clean Power Plan, which sought to limit both coal and gas plant emissions, was proposed by the Obama administration.
It also sought to set emission targets, aiming to move away primarily from coal plants.
Trump’s administration has only proposed regulations for coal plants and repealed the Obama plan. The Trump plan was expected not to have as many climate benefits as the Obama plan.
Learn more about the plan.
GSA ANNOUNCES CUT MILESTONE EMISSIONS
The General Services Administration, a federal agency that oversees government products and services, announced Thursday a significant milestone towards its climate goals.
The agency stated that federal building leases and owns have reduced their emissions by 51 percent compared to 2008’s baseline level. The agency estimates that this is a savings of 1.1million tons per year compared with 2008.
GSA stated that this puts it more a decade ahead than the government’s goal to cut emissions by half by 2032.
Robin Carnahan (GSA Administrator) stated in a statement that they are thrilled to have reached this milestone. She also stated that she will continue pushing for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
Carnahan stated that America must continue to improve and invest in its over 1,500 federally owned properties in order to create a cleaner, more sustainable future.
President Biden has asked the federal government to reduce its emissions as part of his overall strategy for reducing the country’s contribution towards climate change. He also called on it to reach carbon neutrality in 2050, the same time as the rest.
He has also advocated that the federal government purchase greener products such as electric cars, but this has run into difficulties at the Postal Service. The Postal Service is a major buyer of government vehicles and is led by an appointee from former President Trump.
Learn more about the announcement.
DARK GREEN
According to a new report, dominant social media companies have failed to disclose their policies against climate misinformation.
The report was released by Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace. It ranked the public policies regarding climate misinformation from Pinterest and YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.
The report stated that the companies are largely keeping the public ignorant about their efforts to combat misinformation.
This lack of transparency is evident as these companies conceal a lot of information about the digital climate dis/misinformation epidemic and any internal measures taken in order to stop it spreading. The report states that Pinterest and YouTube have made notable progress in addressing climate disinformation. Facebook, TikTok and Twitter are far behind.
Twitter was ranked the worst based on the criteria used by the groups to assess the transparency and scope of the platforms policies.
TikTok ranked second and Facebook was just above it. Pinterest and YouTube were both at the top, but only 14 of 27 points were used by the report for assessing the policies.
Learn more from The Hills Rebecca Klar.
NEWS YOU NEED, NAMES THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
WatchHill.TVs new show, “Rising Fridays,” an in-depth look at politics that previews the candidates about to make headlines.Tune-in for Friday’s debut here.
WHAT WE’RE READING
ICYMI
Finally, something a little offbeat and unorthodox:A little bit.
This concludes today’s post. We appreciate your reading. For the latest news and coverage, check out The HillsEnergy & Environment. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
VIEW THE COMPLETE EDITION HERE