Welcome to Monday’s Overnight Energy & Environment,The latest news and information on energy, environment and beyond. Subscribe here thehill.com/newsletter-signup.
Today we are looking at the proposed rule by the Biden administration on truck pollution. Proposed congressional legislation to ban Russian energy imports and record high national gas prices.
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.
Trucks and buses are targeted at pollution reduction
Monday’s announcement by the Biden administration was that it would propose a new rule to reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks and buses.
The administration is aiming to reduce the release of nitrogen oxides, which can contribute to asthma and other lung conditions, from heavy-duty vehicles up to 90% by 2031 compared with current standards.
The final Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), action would mark the 20th anniversary of the last regulations. The White House stated that the measure would have significant health effects.
According to a White House factsheet the rule would prevent around 2,000 premature deaths, as well as 6,700 emergency room visits and hospital admissions. The White House stated that it would also reduce the number of cases of childhood asthma by 18,000.
What more?The EPA stated that the rule will also set new greenhouse gas standards for certain types commercial vehicles, a measure to combat climate change.
The largest contributor to climate change in America is the transportation sector, which accounts for 29 percent of the planet-warming emissions. Vehicles also contribute to air pollution. This can have negative effects on human health.
Monday’s announcement is only one of many steps that the administration is taking in order to reduce pollution from medium- and large-duty vehicles.
MORE TO COME
EPA Administrator announced the latest steps in a speech. Michael Regan
Michael ReganIntruder arrested at Joint Base Andrews upon Harris’ return The Hill’s Morning Report: Russia’s war against Ukraine presses Harris to travel Selma for the ‘Bloody Sunday’ anniversary MOREMonday’s announcement was considered only the first part of EPAs three-part plan.
He stated that the agency would seek to reduce air and climate pollution from medium duty vehicles in its second stage.
The agency will now establish new, stronger greenhouse gas standards for heavy-duty trucks starting in model year 2030.
He said that we are taking this three-step approach to trucking and freight because it is complex and broad. We also cannot afford the climate, health injustice, and health consequences.
The administration stated that it would take on Monday’s action one of two ways.
It would raise nitrogen oxide standards for model years 2027-2031 under the first option. It would tighten standards only in 2027 under the second option.
Learn more about the proposal.
Trade lawmakers propose Russian energy ban
The Democratic and Republican leaders from the two congressional trade committees reached a deal Monday to pass a bill to prohibit energy imports and suspend normal trade relationships with Russia and Belarus.
In a Monday statement, the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee chairmen and ranking members announced that they would soon introduce legislation to ban imports from Russia of Russian energy products. The bill would also provide for the protection of Russian energy products. President Biden
Joe BidenArmed intruder taken into custody at Joint Base Andrews, following Harris’ return Capitol Police issues an emergency statement over the trucker convoy Harris: “We will not allow setbacks to stop us” MOREauthority to raise tariffs and impose trade barriers for goods coming from Russia or Belarus. The White House must advocate for Russia’s expulsion from the World Trade Organization, and oppose Belarus joining it.
These actions will send a clear signal to Putin that his war against Russia is unacceptable and that the United States stands firm behind our NATO allies, said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman. Richard Neal
Richard Edmund NealBottomline Senate Democrats urge Biden for a strengthened-up child credit into spending deal Pelosi says Build Back Better may have to be’more restricted,’ renamed (D-Mass.), Ways and Means ranking member Rep. Kevin Brady
Kevin Patrick BradyMcCarthy-backed Republican wins Texas House primary Five takeaways: Texas primaries Republican rep won’t run for Senate, hopes and dreams to become Ways and Means Chair: report(R-Texas), Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden
Ronald (Ron?) Lee WydenCongress weighs WTO legal ways to punish Russia The Hill’s Morning Report – Russia-Ukraine War enters second deadly Week Democrats look for an offramp from masking their in public MORE(D-Ore.), and Finance ranking member Sen. Mike Crapo
Michael (Mike), Dean CrapoThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Senator Sanders follows a lost dog around Capitol Hill Sanders asks Democrats to bring up a drug pricing bill in Senate Congress should end the book on the failed Book Minimum Tax(R-Idaho), in statement
While Congress must do more, as congressional leaders with jurisdiction over our nation’s trade policy, we are committed using the tools available to stop Russia’s unconscionable, unjust war against Ukraine and to hold Belarus responsible for its involvement.”
Background:Lawmakers and leaders from both parties are urging Biden to ban Russian energy imports, and to target a major source for wealth for the Kremlin. While Russia’s economy is already in decline due to sanctions imposed by the U.S., allies, the sanctions have been mostly lifted from its oil and natural gas sector.
After a year of sharp increases, American and European leaders tried to avoid sanctions. European Union countries rely heavily on Russian oil imports and natural gas imports. Rising demand for U.S. energy products could also cause prices to rise within the US.
The White House, however, has made it possible to ban Russian energy imports due to growing bipartisan pressures and a unrelenting attack on Ukraine by the Russian military.
Continue reading at The Hills Sylvan Lane.
Analysis: Gas prices at record highs
The national average gas prices have risen to an all-time high just above $4.10 per gallon. DataGasBuddy, the gas price analysis platform.
Monday’s national average reached $4.104 per gallon. This is higher than the 2008 record of $4.103.
Saturday marked the first time since 2008 that the national average was above $4 per gallon.
Although Friday’s increase was less than the 18-cent single-day record, it still sets a new national record for the largest increase in a seven day period. 49 cents was the previous record set in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina.
Americans have never witnessed gasoline prices so high nor the rate of increases so rapid and furious. This combination makes the situation even more extraordinary and intense. Russia’s crippling sanctions have impeded their oil flow, leading to a massive rise in all fuel prices: gasoline, diesel and more, Patrick De Haan (head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy) stated in a statement.
It’s a very dire situation and it won’t get better anytime soon. The high prices won’t last for days or weeks like 2008, but rather months. GasBuddy expects that the national average will rise to its highest level ever, he said.
However, the AAA national average gas price monitor showed that the average was slightly lower than Monday’s record at $4.065 per gallon. AAA had a 10-year record of $4.009 the day before, which is the highest recorded since 2008.
Before Russia invaded Ukraine, gas prices were already rising. This was due to an increase of demand and the lifting of COVID-19-related restrictions. Prices have risen continuously since February, when the invasion began.
Learn more about this milestone here.
TOMORROW: ON TAP
- The Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee is holding a business meeting in order to consider nominations
- The House Energy & Commerce Committee is holding a Hearentitled “Charging forward: Securing American Manufacturing and Our Future in EVs”
WHAT WE’RE READING
- Inside the FDA’s ‘forever chemical’ disaster (E&E News)
- Record-breaking amounts of electricity are being produced by wind and solar power (USA Today)
- A Natural Gas Giant Is Waging A Sneaky War On A Minor Colorado Climate Policy (HuffPost)
- After Cop26 pledge, agribusiness giants attempted to stop the EU deforestation plan (The Guardian)
- This is unacceptable: EPA chief visits failing sewage system in Alabama Black Belt (AL.com)
ICYMI
Finally, something a little off-beat and unusual: Ready for his close-pup
That’s all for today. Thank you for reading. Check out The Hills Energy & Environment PageStay up-to-date with the latest news and coverage We hope to see you again tomorrow.
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