Overnight Energy & Environment Biden OK solar tariffs with modifications

Fridays Overnight Energy & Environment – Welcome!,The latest news and information on energy, environment and beyond. Subscribe here thehill.com/newsletter-signup.

Today we are looking at Biden splitting tariffs on solar panels, the Biden administration taking Native American tribes sides in a mineral dispute, and a keyDemocrat following-up on EPAs questions for postal service.

Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk were the Hill’s editors. Send us tips: [email protected]And [email protected]. Follow us on Twitter: @RachelFrazinAnd @BudrykZack.

Lets jump in.

Biden extends solar rates, with modifications

President BidenJoe BidenWhite House lights up with red, white, and blue to cheer Team USA at the Olympics Kansas governor vetoes redistricting map Overnight Energy & Environment Biden’s Fed pick draws GOP heat about climate MOREThe Trump-era tariffs on solar cell cells will be extended, but with some exemptions that a bipartisan group if senators requested in January, the White House confirmed Friday.

According to the White House announcement the Biden administration will extend Section 201 Tariffs, which apply to solar panels and cells, for four more years than the Sunday expiration date. The extension will not apply to bifacial panels, which are double-sided panels used in larger utility installations. It will also increase the amount of solar cells that are eligible for duty-free import from 2.5 gigawatts up to 5.

The Solar Energy Industry Association, which was one of the most vocal industry critics of the tariffs’, expressed moderate praise for the announcement, calling the solution a balanced one.

We are disappointed by the decision to increase Section 201 tariffs on imported panels and solar cells, but we are grateful to the Biden administration, SEIA CEO Abigail Ross Hopper stated in a statement. Administration officials reached a balance solution, keeping bifacial panels out of the equation and increasing the cell tariff rate quota.

George Hershman is the CEO of SOLV energy, the largest utility-scale sunshade installer in the U.S. He also praised the bifacial panel exemption, and stated that more policy assistance was necessary, such as solar tax credits.

Instead of creating barriers to renewable energy development, the solar industry requires an investment tax credit. This credit will help strengthen U.S. solar manufacturing as well as help us build a brighter tomorrow. Hershman expressed his excitement about working with the Biden Administration to achieve that vision in a statement.

Find out more about the extension.

COMPETITIVENESS PASSES

Friday’s legislation was passed by the House. It aims to improve domestic supply chains and scientific research in order to make the U.S. competitive with countries like China.

The bill was passed largely on party lines, 222 to 210. One Republican voted for it, and one Democrat voted no.

Rep. Adam KinzingerAdam Daniel KinzingerRNC committee advances resolution for censure Cheney. Kinzinger House panel investigating January 6 gets serious, and Trump is fuming Pelosi claims she has not given any information to the Jan. 6 panel MORE(Republican-Electrician of Illinois), who backed this bill, authored many provisions related to boosting supply chain. Rep. Stephanie MurphyStephanie MurphyThe Hill’s Morning Report – The US warns Kremlin, adds more troops Europe Headaches intensify in Florida for Democrats Clyburn claims he’s concerned about losing House and ‘losing that democracy’(D-Fla.), who voted no, said in a statement that she objected “problematic and poorly-vetted provisions” relating to trade.

Passage occurs seven months after the Senate approved its version in June, with the support and assistance of 18 GOP senators.

So…now what? Both chambers will now need to reconcile their versions and reach an agreement that can draw at minimum 10 Republicans in the evenly divided upper chamber. This is because it will be subject to Senate rules that require at least 60 votes to pass most legislation.

The massive legislative package addresses the global shortage of semiconductor chip chips and strains on the U.S. supply network, both of these factors have contributed to the recent rise.

This includes $52 billion to encourage domestic semiconductor chip production and $45 billion in grants, loans and grants through the Department of Commerce to support and improve manufacturing facilities and strengthen domestic supply chains.

It would also increase funding for science research at National Science Foundation and Department of Energy. In addition, it would invest in people to work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The House legislation also contains a number additional energy- or environment-related provisions.

• Four billion dollars annually in contributions to UNs Green Climate Fund. This fund aids developing countries to adapt to climate change. It is available for two years.
• A new Energy Department program that grants loans and grants for solar energy facilities. It will be funded by $600 million each year.
• Spend $ 75 million per year on electric grid security for five-years
• Reauthorizing coral reef protections

You can read more about The Hills Cristina Marcos’ bill passage.

Interiorsides of tribes in mineral dispute

The Biden administration decided that the contested minerals below a portion the Missouri River belonged to three tribal nations, and not to the state of North Dakota.

The Interior Department solicitor Bob Anderson issued a legal opinion Friday in support of the three tribes. This is a change from the Trump administration that had previously supported North Dakota’s claim to the materials.

What did he say to you? Anderson stated that my decision today upholds decades worth of precedent stating that the Missouri riverbed belongs the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA), Nation.

The Department’s decision today, based upon extensive historical and legal analysis, underlines its commitment to uphold its treaty and trust obligations in accordance the law.

This is not the only time that the administration has indicated that they would follow this approach. It did this last year. A Trump-era legal opinion was withdrawnThey sided with North Dakota.

Friday’s action shows that the Biden administration isn’t just withdrawing support from North Dakota but is also supporting the claims of the three Tribes.

Anderson cited an 1851 Treaty and subsequent executive Orders that said that the Missouri River was in the tribes territory.

Both MHA Nation (North Dakota) and North Dakota tried to claim rights to the mineral resources. The Trump-era opinion, sided with the state had argued that North Dakota had the minerals rights because of a legal doctrine that grants new states who join the union equal rights as the original 13.

Learn more about the opinion here.

Senator presses Postal Service to discuss EV plans

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee chairman pressed Postmaster General Louis DeJoyLouis DeJoyEnergy & Environment Interior is in hot seat after court halts drilling sales EPA presses USPS for a halt to purchase of up to 165K gasoline-powered vehicles Biden stiff arms progressives about the Postal ServiceFind out more about the progress of the U.S. electrification project. Friday’s fleet of Postal Services vehicles, following a similar request from Environmental Protection Agency.

Sen. Tom CarperThomas (Tom Richard Carper) Nearly 200 Democrats back EPA Supreme Court emissions case Bottom Line Biden comments add momentum for climate measures MORE (D-Del.) (D-Del.)

Carpers mouth: Recent communications from CEQ and EPA concern me greatly [White House Council on Environmental Quality]Carper stated that the USPS Environmental Impact Statement, (EIS), for Next Generation Delivery Vehicles(NGDV) is flawed in that it underestimates the long-term cost of operating and maintaining gasoline-powered vehicles, and overestimates costs of purchasing and charging electric vans.

The Delaware Democrat expressed concern that the plan would reduce Postal Service’s competitiveness compared with the private sector. He also pointed out that Rivian has signed a contract with Amazon to receive 100,000 electric delivery trucks. FedEx plans to purchase tens of thousands more electric vehicles by 2030 with the goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2040.

This is the story so far Wednesday was Wednesday for both the EPA as the CEQ. They sent letters to DeJoy (a long-time donor to the former). President TrumpDonald TrumpOhio Republican Bernie Moreno suspends Senate Campaign RNC committee advances resolution for censure Cheney and Kinzinger. Barr is under increasing pressure to testify on January 6 MOREDeJoy to cancel the planned purchase up to 165,000 gas-powered Postal Service vehicles. Vicki Arroyo (EPA Associate Administrator for Policy) noted in the correspondence that DeJoy’s plan would only require 10 per cent of new Postal Service trucks being electrified.

She wrote that a ten-percent commitment for clean vehicles, with virtually zero fuel efficiency gains in the other 90 per cent, is clearly inconsistent with international and state GHG emissions targets as well specific national policies to move with deliberate pace towards clean, non-emitting vehicles.

Learn more about Carpers letter.

ON TAP FOR THE NEXT WOKE

Tuesday:

• The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee) will reexamineLaura Daniel-Davis was nominated as Interiors assistant secretary for minerals and land management. He will also be looking at his picks for leading the Energy Information Administration or the Energy Departments Office of Electricity.
• The House Oversight Committee will host a Hear examining Big Oils climate pledges
• The House Natural Resources Committee will host a HearTitled Justice, Equity and Diversity in Environmental Policy Making: The Role Of Environmental Organizations & Grantmaking Foundations

Wednesday:

• The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will host a HearOn the implementation of the Great American Outdoors Act 2020 public landslaw. Witnesses will include officials from the Interior and Agriculture Departments.
• The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will host a HearLooking at bills for nuclear energy and nuclear waste

Thursday:

• The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will host a Hear on clean hydrogen energy

WHAT WE’RE READING

• Senators in Nebraska consider a bill that would give regulators the authority to order environmental cleanups sooner (Scottsbluff Star-Herald)
• Amazon fires raise alarm about deforestationReuters)
• Maryland’s environment is “outraged” at Back River pollution results (KPVI)
• Regans meets with anti-Pebble mine billionaire in the Inner RegansE&E News)

Let’s not forget something fun and offbeat. What is in a name, anyway?

This concludes today. Check out The HillsEnergy & Environment PageFor the most recent news and coverage. Well see you Monday.