Mondays Overnight Energy & Environment – Welcoming YouThe Hill is your source for the most recent news on energy, the environment, and beyond. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup.
Today we are looking at a Biden administration move to reverse Trump-era power station rules, pressure for climate action from Build Back Better from House Democrats, and this weekend’s bomb cyclone.
Rachel Frazin was the Hill’s editor and Zack Budryk was its reporter. Send us tips to [email protected] or [email protected] Follow us on Twitter @RachelFrazinAnd @BudrykZack.
Let’s jump in.
Officials move to confirm power plant rule
Monday’s proposal by the Biden administration was to restore the legal basis of power plant pollution regulations after a Trump administration rollback.
Trump’s administration changed the legal basis of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule (MATS) in 2020. This made it more susceptible to lawsuits.
What does it do?The MATS rule generally limits the amount of toxic substances oil power plants and coal can release into air. Mercury, a neurotoxin, is especially harmful to children.
The Obama-era standards were not affected by Monday’s action nor the 2020 rule.
Instead, Monday’s Biden administration proposal stated that it was appropriate and necessary to regulate power plant emissions of pollutants. Trump administration had argued against the regulation.
Sound science shows that mercury and toxins must be limited in the air to protect children from harmful pollution. Michael Regan
Michael ReganOvernight Environment EPA unveils a new South pollution monitoring program EPA moves to reject the industry request for a change in assessment of carcinogen risk assessment EPA announces a South pollution monitoring program MOREIn a statement
He said that the EPA is committed at reducing pollution in the power sector so all people, no matter where they live or how much money they have, can breathe clean, healthy air and live productive, healthy lives.
According to the Website of the EPAThe standards have been estimated to have prevented between 4,200- 11,000 premature deaths each year.
From the beginning, controversy:Critics argued that Trump administration was trying to give advantage to polluters who want to sue to repeal the rules. A coal company challenged the MATS rule after the changes.
You can read more about the announcement here.
DEMS PUSH BIDEN FOR CLIMATE FUNDING
Monday was called on by 23 Democratic members to Congress President Biden
Joe BidenCongress in danger of missing shutdown deadline Senate will get Ukraine and Russia briefing on Thursday. Social Security field offices reopen. It’s time for them to grow and revitalize MOREto ensure that any amended version the ambitious Democratic reconciliation bill keeps its current climate, resilience provisions, and other relevant aspects.
Rep. Mike Levin (D.Calif.) led the group and noted that a number extreme weather events and natural catastrophes have occurred in the two months since House passage of its package. This included a tornado that claimed at least 78 lives in Kentucky.
The $555 billion in climate investments passed by the U.S. House of Representatives under the Build Back better Act will help our nation meet the goal of reducing global climate pollution by half by 2030. It is a goal you set and science and justice demand. The members stated that the time to take decisive climate action is now, after the devastating and deadly consequences of the climate crisis were made abundantly clear in 2021.
We urge all of you to swiftly pass the Senate’s most comprehensive bill and send it to your desk for signature in the coming weeks.
Who signed?Democratic Reps were the other signers. Cindy Axne
Cindy AxnePlanned parenthood endorses nearly 200 House incumbents before midterms House passes bill strengthening shipping supply chain. On The Money Congress races for MORE (Iowa), Matt Cartwright
Matthew (Matt Alton CartwrightNew York House Democrat tests positive COVID-19 Dearborn Office of Rep. Debbie Dingell vandalized. (Pa.), Angie Craig (Minn.), Sharice Davids
Sharice DavidsKansas GOP targets Rep. Sharice Davids Abortion rights organization endorsing 12 House Democrats. Overnight Health Care presented by Altria Vulnerable House Democrats push drug pricing plan (Kan.), Antonio DelgadoAntonio Ramon DelgadoNew York redistricting panels give up on impasse Clyburn tests positive to COVID-19 in breakthrough case New York House Democrat tests positively for COVID-19 (N.Y.), Josh Gottheimer
Joshua GottheimerDCCC increases the list of vulnerable House Democrats. SALT change is likely to be cut from the bill, say Senate Democrats. Redistricting reform crucial to achieving the bipartisanship Americans want MORE(N.J.), Josh Harder(Calif.). Jahana HayesJahana HayesHouse GOP campaigns arm releases an ad hitting Democrats regarding IRS bank-reporting proposals Ilhan Omar and Biden: “Deliver on Your Promise to Announce Student Debt” Katie Hill launches effort for House protection MORE (Conn.), Marcy Kaptur
Marcia (Marcy), Carolyn KapturDCCC increases list of vulnerable House Democrats The Hill’s Morning Report: Biden says Russia attack ‘would alter the world’ Ukraine President, US lawmakers huddle in tensions with Russia (Ohio), Dan Kildee
Daniel (Dan Timothy KildeeDCCC grows list of vulnerable House Democrats Michigan Republicans sue US House District Lines Pandemic pushes teachers’ unions to center-stage ahead of midterms (Mich.), Andy Kim (N.J.), Susie Lee
Suzanne (Susie) Kelley LeeMORE (Nev.), Tom Malinowski
Thomas (Tom), MalinowskiDemocratic rep tests positively for COVID-19 on return from Ukraine trip GOP faces divisions regarding siding with Ukraine against Russia. Meeks leads bipartisan trip to Ukraine amid Russia tensions MORE (N.J.), Tom O’Halleran (Ariz.) Chris PappasChristopher (Chris Charles Pappas) New Hampshire Republicans advance map with substantially redrawn areas Chris Pappas launches reelection bid for New Hampshire Top House Democratic Group launches six-figure ad campaigns to sell infrastructure package MORE (N.H.), Katie Porter (Calif.), Kurt Schrader
Walter (Kurt), Kurt SchraderHouse passes bill strengthening shipping supply chain Five takeaways from House’s passage of Biden’s huge benefits bill House passes massive social policy and climate measure MORE (Ore.), Kim Schrier
Kimberly Merle SchrierOvernight Energy and Environment EPA unveils a new pollution monitoring system in South Nearly one million child COVID-19 infection reports in past week Physicians-lawmakers unite to call for boosters (Wash.), Abigail Spanberger
Abigail Davis SpanbergerPelosi declares she’s open for stock trading ban for Congress On The Money Ban stock trading for Congress gains steam. Hoyer joins Pelosi to say that lawmakers should be able trade stocks. (Va.), Haley Stevens
Haley Maria StevensDCCC adds to the list of vulnerable House Democrats. Lawmakers face increased threats sometimes from each other Tlaib announces run-in in new Detroit District with Lawrence retiring (Mich.), Dina Titus
Alice (Dina?) Costandina TitusOvernight Health Care Biden faces Democrats on COVID-19 Democrats call for Biden to step up viral response Rapper French Montana speaks out about opioid epidemic, immigration and Capitol Hill MORE(Nev. Susan Wild
Susan WildTo boost economy, midterm outlook, Democrats need to pass clean energy bill The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented By Altria – Marking the Jan. 6, ‘chaos & carnage’ Overnight Defense & National Security Nation marks one year since Capitol riot (Pa.).
Signers included members of centrist wing members of the party and those considered particularly at-risk in the 2022 midterms.
In December, Sen. Joe Manchin
Joe ManchinCongress in danger of missing shutdown deadline. A strategic pivot to reform healthcare could save the midterms. Carville says he would help raise funds for a possible Gallego Senate bid MOREAfter months of negotiations, (D-W.Va.), Manchin declared that he could no longer support the bill in its current form. Although Manchin has been in conflict with progressives on energy-related issues, he indicated his willingness to support climate provisions in the bills.
Find out more about the letter.
Many are left without power by Nor’easter
A noreaster (sometimes called a bombcyclone) struck the East Coast on Saturday, knocking out power for thousands.
According to poweroutage.us more than 100,000 Massachusetts residents were without power as the weekend began. Some areas of the state will see snowfalls of more than 20 inches.
New Jersey, New York and Maryland have all declared states of emergency due to the storm. More power outages are likely.
Storm-related cancellations of more than 4,000 flights were reported by the airline.
“Out of an abundance of care, I am declaring today a State of Emergency as this storm is poised create dangerous travel conditions. Heavy snowfall rates and sustained winds more than 50 mph tonight into Saturday,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul
Kathy HochulEast Coast Governors declare a state of emergency ahead severe winter weather. Hochul says that the mandate to administer vaccines in New York has been extended to mid-February because of the Nor’easter. (D) Friday.
“My team, and I are laser-focused on forecasting and we’ve been deploying emergency respond assets ahead of storm to help with response efforts for the downstate.
Learn more about the storm.
WHAT WERE YOU READING?
- EPA, Supreme Court jockey to determine the reach of Clean Water Acts (E&E News)
- Scientists count the tree species around the world (spoiler alert: it’s quite a few).Reuters)
- Justices uphold dismissal by 16 young Alaskans of a climate lawsuit (Alaska Public Media)
- Climate change measurement: It is not just heat. It is also its humidity (The Associated Press)
- Peabody, a coalminer, misreports large-scale emissions to an Australian regulator (The Guardian)
Finally, here’s something completely offbeat and unorthodox: Ineffable
That’s all for today. Thank you for reading. Check out The HillsEnergy & Environment pageFor the most recent news and coverage. Check out the video below.YouTomorrow.
