Bipartisan lawmakers are considering border carbon tariffs as well as reforming permitting. A serious drought has caused the government to delay the release of water from Lake Powell.
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Carbon border tax, permitting reform part in talks
A bipartisan group of legislators discussed the possibility of imposing a tariff on imports from certain countries that contribute to climate change during a meeting on energy and climate issues. They also looked at environmental reviews, which Republicans have long criticized as too burdensome.
On Monday, the group of about a dozen lawmakers from across the ideological spectrum met to discuss the issues in what Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) described as getting everyone together on some ideas on how we can all work together.
He said that we want to ensure that we have the same reliability that fossil has given us, can give us, and must continue to provide us with as we promote and invest in new technologies and innovation that will take us to the next level.
According to Sen. Mitt Romney(R-Utah), The ideas discussed included:
- “Where were going to get our minerals”
- “How were going to get them processed”
- “The NEPA review process as you think about building renewable facilities”
NEPA refers the National Environmental Policy Act. This Act requires environmental reviews of major projects including energy infrastructure and other constructions such as highways.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) Sen. Bill Cassidy (Republican-La.) stated that he supported a carbon border adjustment, which would allow for import tariffs on products from countries with less stringent climate regulations.
Cassidy said that the current system encourages countries such as China, India, or Vietnam to ignore emissions because they can produce a better product by not paying. However, a border carbon adjustment would be a benefit to our workers, aid our industry and encourage them to do the right thing.
This is about national safety. He said that right now, we were losing jobs, were losing industries, and China’s economies were getting stronger. A carbon border adjustment reverses this.
Cassidy, however, stated that his proposal was not the same as a carbon-tax. Period. End of story.
Democrats who attended the meeting
- Manchin
- Sen. Mark Warner (Va.)
- Sen. Brian Schatz (Hawaii)
- Sen. Chris Coons (Del.
- Sen. Tom Carper (Del.)
- Sen. Mark Kelly (Ariz.).
- Sen. John Hickenlooper (Colo.)
- Rep. Ro Khanna, California
Republicans who attended:
- Cassidy
- Romney
- Sen. Dan Sullivan (Alaska)
- Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)
The meeting took place a week following a previous meeting attended by Republican Senator Kevin Cramer, N.D., who was not in Washington on Monday.
Cramer was in town Tuesday: He floated the idea of credits for emerging technologies like carbon capture which seeks to prevent plant-warming emissions from going into the air when fossil fuels are burned and hydrogen energy. He suggested a fuel neutral approach, which would be tied to an emission standard.
When asked if the talks could be used by Democrats to advance their tax credits proposal, the senator was skeptical.
Cramer stated that if it becomes a vehicle to them, it becomes less attractive for us.
It will spin out of control if we don’t keep it in check.
On Wednesday, a third meeting is planned.
Find out more about Mondays meeting.
Interior delays Lake Powell release due to drought
Tuesday’s announcement by the Interior Department indicated that it will delay a planned water release from Lake Powell in order to counter a drought which has reduced water supply to unprecedented levels.
According to the announcement, nearly 480,000 acres of water from the Colorado River reservoir will be held back by the Bureau of Reclamation.
Lake Powell currently lies at a record low elevation of 3,522 feet. According to the bureau, the minimum height at which Glen Canyon Dam can generate hydropower from water is 3,490 feet.
Normally, the water would be released downstream from Lake Mead which is the other major Colorado River reservoir. Interior projects that the reservoir will be supported for another 12 months by withholding water.
Interior officials will also withhold the release of approximately 500,000 acre-feet from the Flaming Gorge reservoir.
Today’s decision reflects the unprecedented challenges facing Colorado River Basin. It will provide operational certainty for next year. Everyone who depends on the Colorado River should continue to work together to reduce use and to think of additional proactive steps we can take in months and years ahead in rebuilding our reservoirs, Tanya Trujillo, Assistant Secretary of Water and Science, stated in a statement.
Learn more about the move.
CHEMICALS CAN DAMAGE THE BONES OF MALE TEENS.
A new study suggests that male teens may have poor bone health due to exposure to phthalates and forever chemicals, two classes of endocrine-disrupting substances.
According to a study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology, some of these disrupters could cause bone mineral density reductions in adolescents boys.
The authors stress the importance of identifying factors that can negatively impact bone development in childhood and adolescence because bone accumulation is primarily during childhood and adolescence.
These so-called forever chemicals, also known as perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS), are well-known for their presence in jetfuel firefighting foams, industrial discharge, and other liquids. However, they are key ingredients in many household products like nonstick pans and waterproof apparel.
PFAS can be found in many consumer products. They also tend to linger both in human tissue as well as in the environment. Exposure to PFAS can lead to testicular cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid disease, and other diseases.
Phthalates are also used in personal care products and children’s toys. They are associated with birth defects and infertility, learning disabilities, neurological disorders, and birth defects.
Abby Fleisch, a co-author on the study, said that it is an important time for bone building in our bodies.
Nearly all American children and adolescents are exposed PFAS or phthalates. However, few studies have examined how these chemicals might impact bone health. Fleisch added.
Learn more at The Hills Sharon Udasin.
NUCLEAR NOMS
Friday’s nomination by President Biden of Annie Caputo (and Bradley Crowell) to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which regulates nukes power plants, was made by Biden.
If confirmed, Caputo & Crowell will take up two of the vacant seats to give agency five commissioners.
Tom Carper, Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee (D-Del. TweetHe would quickly advance them.
ON TAP TOMORROW
- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee You will be taken into considerationWhether to accelerate ratification the Kigali Amendment. This international agreement is to reduce the use planet-warming hydrofluorocarbons which are very potent climate contributors.
- Jennifer Granholm, Energy Secretary We will be there to testifyBefore the Senate Appropriations Committee during an hearing on the departments’ budget
- Forest Service Chief Randy Moore We will be there to testifyDuring a hearing on budget for the agency, before the Senate Appropriations Committee
- The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee VoteConcerning matters such as whether or not to advance the Water Resources Development Act
WHAT WE’RE READING
- Greenwashing using phantom forestsBBC News)
- Lead, which has been toxic for over 100 years, still poisons thousands upon thousands of Midwestern kids.NPR)
- Gas Prices Rise, But Nobody Knows How Much Methane is Leaking (Bloomberg)
- We live in hell: Extreme spring heatwaves in India and Pakistan have caused havoc (The Guardian)
- Gas Giants have Ghostwritten Letters of Support from Elected Officials (HuffPost)
Finally, something a little offbeat and unorthodox: Beware of the turkey
This is it for today. Thanks for reading. For the most recent news and coverage, visit The Hills Energy & Environment. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
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