The Biden administration is making its Earth Day pitch, asbestos dangers are expected to linger despite federal action and Elizabeth Warren is warning that a lack of climate action would invite midterm disaster.
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Biden to highlight climate policies for Earth Day
The Biden administration says it plans to highlight several of its climate change accomplishments ahead of and on Earth Day this Friday.
Tuesday: The administration is expected to provide an update on its efforts to tackle extremely powerful climate-warming gases called hydrofluorocarbons which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now phasing down after a 2020 law required it to do so, senior officials told reporters Monday.
Wednesday: The administration will highlight its clean energy accomplishments.
Thursday: The Department of Transportation is expected to make an announcement related to the bipartisan infrastructure law and helping states cut transportation emissions. Biden will also visit Portland, Ore. to discuss the bipartisan legislation.
Friday: Biden will travel to Seattle, where he will showcase how we are using mother nature to help tackle climate change, an official said.
This string of announcements and events is happening as lawmakers struggle to reach a climate legislation deal, leaving the administration’s climate agenda largely in doubt.
The story so far: Last year, the administration and Democrats had touted their proposed Build Back Better bill that would have taken actions like providing clean energy tax credits and sought to incentivize industry away from methane leaks.
Swing vote Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said in December that he opposed the bill effectively killing it.
On Monday, however, a government official said that the administration is still pushing to pass a reconciliation bill. This would require Democratic support.
We are in touch with a wide range of members about a reconciliation package that will cut some of the biggest costs that families face, the official said. It will fight inflation and it will continue to reduce deficit at a historic rate.
Read more about the administrations plans here.
US faces major asbestos problem
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently took a big step toward curbing asbestos use, but experts say that even with the new regulations exposure to the substance is expected to remain a problem for years to come.
It is estimated that the substance remains in more than 700,000. Public and commercial buildings across the United States. This leaves millions of Americans potentially vulnerable, including firefighters, maintenance workers, and construction crews.
It is still a problem, according to Arthur Frank, an environmental and occupational healthcare professor at Drexel University.
What you need to know: Asbestos refers to a group of six types of minerals that are made up of very small fibers. Although asbestos was used for roofing and cement, its use has decreased since the 1970s when it became more well-known for its health hazards.
Asbestosis is a disease that can be caused by exposure to toxic material. This is caused by the inhalation of large amounts of the fibers. It increases your risk of developing lung cancer or mesothelioma. This is a form of cancer that affects the membrane covering the lungs and chest cavity as well as the membranes surrounding other organs.
Asbestos exposure has been estimated to kill 40,000 Americans every year.
Earlier this month the EPA proposed a ban on six ongoing uses of a type of asbestos called chrysotile asbestos, prohibiting the substances use in asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaskets, oilfield brake blocks, automotive brakes and linings as well as other vehicle friction products and gaskets.
Despite this ban, asbestos is still found in many structures, including schools and homes.
Tim Carroll, an EPA spokesperson, stated in an email that approximately 20 percent of commercial and public buildings (or 733,000 structures) contain asbestos that can be destroyed. He cited a 1984 national study.
You can read more about these challenges here.
Warren: Dems must do more to avoid wipeout
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) Democrats must live up to their promises to avoid a bruising outcome in the midterm elections.
Democrats win elections when we show we understand the painful economic realities facing American families and convince voters we will deliver meaningful change, Warren wrote in a New York Times op-ed published on Monday.
To put it bluntly, Democrats will lose big in the midterms if they don’t use the remaining months to implement more of their agenda.
She writes that time is running out. We need to reach a budget reconciliation deal that will see giant corporations pay their fair share to help fund crucial investments in fighting climate change and lowering family costs. This deal can only be reached with 50 votes from the Senate.
She writes that other priorities can be achieved with the president’s executive power. It is no secret that I believe that we should abolish filibuster. If Republicans want to use it in order to block policies that Americans support, they should be forced to vote for those policies in plain sight.
Continue reading from Hanna Trudo of The Hills.
WHAT WERE READING
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Is there a possible link between New Jersey high school and brain cancer? (WABC)
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Inside Bidens sparsely staffed, high-pressure environmental shop (E&E News)
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US calls on Australia to increase 2030 emission reduction pledge to help prevent greater destruction (The Guardian)
ICYMI
And finally, something offbeat and off-beat: A pictures worth a thousand words.
This is it for today. Thanks for reading. Check out The Hills Energy & Environment page for the latest news and coverage. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
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