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Today we will be looking at the climate impacts of the tornadoes that killed so many this weekend. Vice President Harris’s announcement of an electric vehicle and an early draft that includes a provision against by Senator Joe Manchin (D.W.Va.), are also on the agenda.
Rachel Frazin, Zack Budryk and I are The Hill’s editors. Send tips to [email protected], [email protected]. Follow us on Twitter @RachelFrazinAnd @BudrykZack.
Let’s get going.
Six states were struck by deadly tornadoes
A series of deadly tornadoes struck several states Friday night, killing dozens and prompting a federal response.
The storms swept through Arkansas, Illinois and Kentucky, as well as Mississippi, Missouri, Missouri, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Kentucky was the worst-hit state, with at least 75 people killed and 100 missing as of Monday.
President Biden said He will travelAccording to the White House the state received a briefing at Ft. Campbell on Wednesday and was able to survey damage at Mayfield, Dawson Springs, and Mayfield, according to the White House.
He was also among those looking for more information about the role climate change played in Saturday’s storms. I will ask the EPA and other organizations to have a look at it.”
The Hill was informed Monday by experts that warm temperatures were possible This may have helped to set the sceneThey are responsible for deadly tornadoes but they don’t believe climate change is the cause.
Walker Ashley, a Northern Illinois University atmospheric scientist and professor, stated that “it’s not like climate change caused the tornado.” “It’s the way it might have influenced what are called the ingredients necessary for producing the storm that produced the tornado.”
James Elsner is a professor at Florida State University and studies the changing nature hurricane and tornado risk. He compared the situation as blaming fog for car crashes.
Elsner explained to The Hill that you might notice that fog causes more crashes but not necessarily that fog is the cause.
He said, “If we think of climate change as the fog it’s hard to say that it caused the accident but it contributes.” It’s becoming more warm and moist but not enough to cause tornadoes. It’s a necessary condition, but it’s not enough.
You can read more about Biden’s trip by clicking hereAnd Here’s what climate change could do.
Harris unveils plan for EV charging network
On Monday, the White House and Vice President Harris presented a plan for setting up an electric vehicle (EV), charging network.
The White House released a fact sheet on the plan that heavily relied on the bipartisan infrastructure law, existing actions, and some new announcements.
These include the creation of a Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, which will be responsible for implementing the charging network and other electrification provisions of the law.
What more?The law provides $7.5 Billion to help build an electric vehicle charging network.
Harris stated that people who live in apartments might not have a driveway where they can plug in a plug during remarks in Brandywine.
She added that “when we install public chargers in rural, suburban, and urban neighborhoods, we make a lot easier for people to go electrical,”
So what is more to be done?The fact sheet stated that the White House will host stakeholder meetings on this issue and that the Energy and Transportation departments would create an advisory committee for electric vehicles.
The Transportation Department will also publish guidance to states and cities by February 11 regarding the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations. It will also publish standards by May 13 to ensure that chargers work, are safe, and are accessible.
Learn more about the announcement.
EV TAX CREDIT MEASURE IN THE LATEST BBBTEXT
Preliminary Senate Finance Committee text of the Build Back Better (BBB) social spending and climate bill, released over the weekend, retains a tax credit to union-made electric cars, despite objections from Sen. Joe Manchin (D.W.Va.).
Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), has released a preliminary text that includes a $4500 credit to electric vehicles domestically produced at unionized facilities. The House bill that passed November contained the same provision. The Senate parliamentarian has not yet received the text.
The Finance Committee retained a provision from the House bill which would increase tax incentives for carbon-capture technology. It would bring it from $50 to $85 per tonne.
“Our package is historic. Wyden said that the package would create good-paying work, lower the cost of raising children, combat the climate crisis, reduce energy bills and build more affordable housing. It also helps to cut the costs of health care for seniors and families.
Manchin, an essential vote for the 50-50 upper house, has voiced opposition to the tax credit for union made electric vehicles in recent days. He said at a Toyota event in Nov that Congress “shouldn’t be using everyone’s tax dollars in order to pick winners and losers.” The inclusion of the provision within the draft text suggests that Wyden (one of the chamber’s climate hawks) will at least try to include it in the final Senate bill.
You can read more about the preliminary text by clicking here.
WHAT WE’RE READING
ICYMI
Finally, something a little offbeat and unorthodox: Or perhaps on-beat if you really want to stretch the definition.
This is it for today. Thanks for reading. Visit The Hill. Energy & Environment pageGet the latest news and coverage. We will see you tomorrow.