Welcome to Thursday’s Overnight Environment & EnergyThe 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 the dismissal a suit challenging Bidens Keystone XL revocation. This is the first substance that the EPA has added onto its hazardous air pollutant listing since Congress created it 30 years ago. New York’s governor also supported a natural gas ban.
Rachel Frazin and ZackBudryk were the Hill’s editors. Write to us with tips:[email protected]@thehill.com. Follow us on Twitter@RachelFrazin@BudrykZack.
Lets jump in.
Judge dismisses suit over Keystone
A Texas federal judge dismissed a challenge by Biden to his decision to revoke a key permit to the KeystoneXL pipeline. He said that the case is moot because the project was already cancelled.
Judge Jeffrey Brown cited a document from TC Energy, confirming its intention to remove the pipeline’s border crossing section.
The court accepts TC Energy’s word Keystone XL is dead. Because it is dead, any decision this court makes about whether Keystone XL is still alive will be void. President Biden
Joe BidenMacro grid to keep the lights on Pelosi suggests that filibuster supporters dishonor’ MLK’s voting rights legacy Sanders calls out Sinema and Manchin ahead of filibuster showdown MOREBrown, a Trump appointee, wrote that the authority to revoke a permit would be advisory.
He stated that the court does not have jurisdiction and that the case must be dismissed.
President Biden revoked a border crossing permission for the Keystone XL Pipeline on his first day of office.
The environmentalists who have long detested the project, which was to bring carbon-intensive oil tar sands from Canada to the U.S., cheered the decision.
However, Biden’s move was criticised by many Republicans who claimed it was an attack against fossil fuels.
You can read more about it here.
EPA adds air pollution to the hazards list
The Environmental Protection Agency has added a new pollutant (EPA) to its list of pollutants it has deemed dangerous to breathe.
It also added 1-bromopropane (1-1-BP), a chemical used in dry cleaning and stain removal, adhesives, cleaners and cleaners to its list of hazardous air pollutants.
The listing was announced in Federal Register notice on Wednesday. It is the first time an agency has added a substance since 1990, when it was created by Congress.
Industry will be required to comply with rules that regulate the emission of other hazardous air pollutants, sometimes known as HAPs.
Some background information:2020: The EPA determined 1-BP to pose unreasonable risks for consumers, workers, and others for most commercial and consumer uses.
It mentioned developmental issues from brief-term exposure, as well as developmental issues and cancers that can result from long-term long-term exposure.
Environmental groups sued EPA to get 1-BP added to the EPA’s list. Industry argues that it isnt needed.
You can read more about it here.
HOCHUL BACKS NEW BUILDING GAS BAN
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul
Kathy HochulHundreds attend a mass funeral for victims in Bronx apartment fire The Hill’s Morning Report: Biden champions filibuster Reform, but doesn’t have the votes States allocate billions for electric vehicle surge MORE(D) demanded an end to the use of natural gases in new buildings in a policy plan released Wednesday ahead of her State of the State address.
Hochuls’ office laid out a plan to eliminate on-site greenhouse gas emissions from new buildings by 2027 in the blueprint. The plan would also call for energy benchmarking, which is the analysis of whether large buildings use more or less energy than buildings of similar sizes and occupancy levels.
Hochul stated in a statement that “To make real progress against climate change, we must tackle major sources of pollution head on, ensure greener housing is accessible to all New Yorkers and pave the path towards a more sustainable future.” “This transformational investment in green infrastructure will cement New York’s position at the forefront in climate action and ensure equity during our transition to cleaner, greener states.
Some background information:Hochuls plan would be the first to implement a statewide requirement, even though New York City already had a similar requirement in place for new buildings in December. Hochuls support strengthens the chances of such a plan passing the state Assembly.
And what more?The governor’s blueprint also sets out a goal for 2 million electrified houses by the end of the decade with at least 800,000. These homes will be available to low- and moderate-income residents.
Hochuls announcement can be found here.
WHAT WE ARE READING
- Fossil fuel businesses are the biggest spenders of Google ads that look like search results (The Guardian)
- Six Indians die from toxic gas poisoning after illegal chemical dumpReuters)
- California judge denies environmental review for Guenoc Valley resort, which covers 16,000 acresThe North Bay Business Journal)
ICYMI
Lastly, and most importantly, something off-topic, but still important: See our colleagues’ coverage of 1/6 anniversary hereandhere. They also talk about their experiences there.
This is it for today. Thanks for reading. Check out The Hills Energy & Environment pageFor the most recent news and coverage. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.