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Today we were looking at President Biden
Joe BidenDeaf Oscar nominee Troy Kotsur: tempted by teaching Biden ‘dirty signing language’ during WH Visit White House spokeswoman Karine Jean Pierre tests positive for COVID-19 House panel makes contempt case against Scavino and Navarro MOREA sprawling budget proposal, a pledge to the environment for progressive candidates, and a probe into solar imports.
Rachel Frazin was the Hill’s editor, and Zack Budryk was the assistant editor. Write to us with tips:[email protected]@thehill.com.
Lets jump in.
President asks Congress to increase EPA funding
According to material shared with The Hill by The Hill, the White House proposed budget for fiscal year 2023 would increase funding for both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Department.
A closer look:The budget proposes $11 Billion for the EPA fiscal 2023. This represents an increase of $1.5 billion over the $9.56 billion Congress authorized last years. The White House failed to seek similar increases in its fiscal 2022 budget. Congress ultimately increased the budget by $323 over the previous year.
This Administration’s unwavering commitment is reflected in the President’s budget request for EPA. It reflects its commitment to protect people from polluting, especially those who live in underserved and overburdened communities across America. It funds a wide array of transformational programs enacted through the Bipartisan infrastructure Law. It will allow us to implement the historic Justice40 promise by President Obama, EPA Administrator. Michael Regan
Michael ReganEPA adds 12 sites to the Superfund list EPA proposes a new rule to reduce interstate air pollution. Overnight Energy & Environment House agrees that Russian oil will be bannedIn a statement
Regan noted that $5.7 Billion of the proposed budget was dedicated to supporting environmental justice and cleanup efforts with tribals, states, localities and other entities.
What else?The budget proposal also includes $3.3 Billion for renewable energy. This is a major priority of the White House at a time when gas prices have soared due to the Ukraine crisis. The White House released oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and called for both national oil companies and countries such as Saudi Arabia and other nations to increase production. But renewables advocates say the crisis is a reminder that we must move beyond fossil fuels.
The proposal by the administration also includes $18 billion for federal climate resilience programmes, including federal firefighting funding and funding to improve federal housing resilience. An additional $11 billion would be used for international climate finance. President Biden has already pledged to quadruple that amount.
You can read more about the budget proposal by clicking here.
Groups unveil ‘Green New Deal’ midterm pledge
Monday saw a coalition of progressive and environmental groups introduce a pledge for candidates, indicating that they will co-sponsor some bills related to the Green New Deal policies.
The pledge’s signers agree to reject any donations exceeding $200 from fossil-fuel lobbyists, companies, or executives. They also commit to cosponsoring 10 pieces Green New Deal-related legislation within six month of taking office.
These include Rep. Cori Bush
Cori BushMissouri legislators come to a redistricting compromise Progressives are in an odd spot about Russian war Far left and far right find common ground against US interventionism MOREs (D.Mo. Green New Deal for Cities, the Civilian Climate Corps for jobs and justice Act, and the Keep it in the Ground Act. These would prohibit new fossil fuel projects on federal land and waters.
Who is on board?Candidates who have taken this pledge includeJessica CisnerosRep. Henry Cuellar (D.Texas), who will face a July runoff in May for the state’s 10th Congressional District, will be facing a candidate Sunrise Movement endorsed last Wednesday: Nida Alam, who is running to represent North Carolina’s 4th District, Erica Smith from North Carolina’s 1st District, and Summer Lee from Pennsylvania’s 12th District.
Many of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing members are also among the many current members of Congress who meet the requirements of the pledge. They include Sens. Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersHow Fetterman is slipping away in Pennsylvania Briahna Gray discusses nationalizing and oil industry Sanders introduces bill that targets MLB’s exemption from antitrust MORE (I-Vt.), Ed Markey
Ed MarkeyWhy profit margins shouldn’t fall when prices rise Kaine describes a ’24/7′ sensation from long COVID-19 on The Money Lawmakers rally against Russian Oil Imports (D-Mass.) (D-Mass.) Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth WarrenRussia can’t avoid sanctions with crypto: Warren’s proposal only harms US Pelosi backs Cuellar. He says, ‘I don’t understand what it is’ about FBI raid. New SEC climate rule leaves progressives begging for more (D-Mass.) Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Alexandria Ocasio CortezPelosi supports Cuellar, and says ‘I don’t know what it’s’ about FBI raid Cannabis industry jumps all-in on bank push before midterms Prochoice Latina group launches incumbent protection Campaign MORE (D-N.Y.), Ro Khanna
Rohit (Ro KhannaKhanna), ‘There is no support in Democratic Congress for regime Change’ Sunday shows preview: US, puts pressure on Russia; Jackson goes through confirmation hearings. Rising gas prices create tensions within the Democratic Party (D-Calif.), Ayanna Pressley
Ayanna PressleySunrise movement looks to bolster progressives Pennsylvania, North Carolina Title 42 Anniversary marks headaches for Biden and lawmakers House passes CROWN Act banning race-based discrimination in hair MORE (D-Mass.), Rashida Tlaib
Rashida Harbi TlaibSunrise movement looks to support progressives in Pennsylvania, North Carolina Democrats press Biden for an extension freeze on student loan payments House passes comprehensive.5 trillion Omnibus spending bill (D-Mich.), Ilhan Omar
Ilhan OmarGinni Tho’s texts – Does a spouse’s opinion disqualify an Supreme Court justice Thomas scrutiny intensifies following the latest revelations that Sunrise Movement seeks to support progressives in Pennsylvania and North Carolina MORE(D-Minn. Pramila Jayapal
Pramila JayapalDemocrats press Biden on extending freeze on student loans payments Progressives in odd spot about Russian war The Hill’s 12:30 report: Judge Jackson in hotseat (D-Wash.).
Markey stated that the climate crisis has only gotten worse since I introduced the Green New Deal together with Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez. We must act now to bring justice to the communities that are at the forefront of this crisis and to create millions green-collar jobs to save both our economy and our planet. I am proud to stand alongside my Senate and House colleagues and with a whole generation dedicated to climate justice in the fight for a Green New Deal.
The pledge was signed by more than 50 organizations, including Sunrise Movement and the Working Families Party, Our Revolution and Public Citizen.
Find out more about the pledge.
FEDS PROBING SOLARMANUFACTURERS
Monday’s announcement by Commerce Department involved an investigation into solar panels from four Southeast Asian countries for possible circumvention of tariffs. This was condemned by industry groups as potentially devastating to the industry.
Commerce announced Monday that it would respond to Auxin Solar’s petition. The complaint claimed that the panels were illegally designed to evade U.S. regulations that block Chinese imports.
The petition claimed that technology in these four countries includes parts made by Chinese companies and that their manufacturing violates years-old antidumping/countervailing tariffs on Chinese imports.
The department had rejected a similar petition filed by American Solar Manufacturers Against Chinese Ccumvention in November. The tariffs for solar panel components can reach 250 percent. The decision was seen by the solar industry as a significant setback, given the Biden administration’s pledge to reduce carbon emissions by half by 2030.
This mistake will have a devastating effect on the U.S. market at a moment when solar prices are rising and project delays are increasing, Solar Energy Industry Association President Abigail Ross Hopper stated in a statement.
The similar tariff petition that was filed last year still haunts the solar industry. The mere threat of tariffs has impacted the industry’s growth trajectory. This is why we now expect a 19% drop in near-term forecasts for solar. This case will have a chilling impact on the solar industry.
Learn more about the investigation.
ON TAP TOMORROW
- The House Energy & Commerce Committee will host a hearing entitled Trusting the Tap: Upgrading America’s Drinking Water Infrastructure
WHAT WE ARE READING
Let’s not forget something fun and off-beat.All that jazz.
That’s all for today. Thank you for reading. Check out the The Hillsenergy & environment website for the latest news and coverage. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.