Mondays Overnight Energy & Environment – Welcoming YouThe latest news from the environment, energy and beyond. Subscribe here:thehill.com/newsletter-signup.
Today we are looking at the climate implications for the tornadoes which killed dozens of people this weekend. We also look at Vice President Harris’ announcement about electric vehicles and an early draft legislation that includes a clause that Sen. Joe Manchin
Two large-scale solar projects are advanced by the Joe ManchinBiden administration in California. Nuclear power is not a viable business option and could worsen climate change. On The Money Biden’s plea, Don’t forget to Build Back Better (D-W.Va.).
Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk were the Hill’s editors. Send tips to [email protected], [email protected]. Follow us on Twitter@RachelFrazin@BudrykZack.
Lets jump in.
Six states were hit by deadly tornadoes
On Friday night, a series of tornadoes that killed dozens of people in several states prompted 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
Joe BidenCollins is open to negotiations to overhaul the child tax credit that expiresAccording to the White House he will travel to Georgia on Wednesday to receive a briefing at Ft. Campbell about storms and to survey damage at Dawson Springs and Mayfield.
He was also one of those who sought to learn more about climate change. On Saturday, he said, “The specific impact on these storms, I cannot say at this time.” I will be asking the EPA, and other agencies to look into that.
Experts told The Hill on Monday that while warm temperatures may have contributed to the creation of deadly tornadoes but that they can’t directly attribute climate changes as the source.
Walker Ashley, a Northern Illinois University atmospheric scientist and professor, said that it is not that climate change caused the tornado. It is how it might have affected what we call the ingredients that produced the storm, which in turn led to 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 said to The Hill, “You might see that foggy weather causes more crashes.”
Think of climate change as the fog. Although we can’t prove that it caused the accident, it contributes, he said. It’s becoming more warm and moist but that is not enough to create tornadoes. It is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition.
Find out more about Biden’s trip and the potential role climate change could play here.
Harris announces a plan for an EV charging network
The White House and Vice-President Harris unveiled Monday a plan to build an electric vehicle charging network.
The White House released a fact sheet on the plan that heavily relies on the bipartisan infrastructure law, existing actions it has taken, and also includes 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 said that people who live alone in apartments may not have a driveway in which they can place a plug. Harris made these remarks in Brandywine (Md.).
She said, “When we install public charging points in rural, urban, and suburban neighborhoods, it makes it easier for people go electric.”
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 for states and cities on how to strategically place electric vehicle charging stations by February 11, and standards by May 13, to ensure that chargers are safe, functional, and accessible.
You can read more about the announcement here.
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 has released the preliminary text Ron Wyden
Ronald (Ron), Lee WydenThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Biden delivers an omicron update before the holidays Democrats face difficult choices on Biden plan following Manchin setback. Expanded child tax credit could be Manchin casualty(D.Ore.) provides a credit of $4,500 for electric vehicles domestically manufactured in unionized plants. The House version passed in November contained the same provision. The Senate parliamentarian has not yet received the text.
The Finance Committee has retained a provision in the House bill that would increase tax incentives to carbon-capture technology. This would make it costlier than $50 to $85 to pull a ton of carbon.
Our package is historic. Wyden said that the package would create well-paying work, lower the cost to raise a family and combat the climate crisis, reduce energy bills, build affordable housing and cut the costs of health care for seniors and families.
Manchin, a vital vote in the 50-50 upper house, has voiced opposition to the tax credit for union made electric vehicles in recent weeks. He stated at a Toyota event that Congress shouldn’t use tax dollars to pick winners or losers. The inclusion of the provision within the draft suggests that Wyden (one of the chamber’s climate hawks) will at least try to include it in the final Senate bill.
Learn more about the preliminary texts here.
WHAT WE’RE READING
ICYMI
And last but not least, something completely offbeat and unorthodox: Or perhaps on-beat if you really want to stretch the definition.
That’s all for today. Thank you for reading. Check out The HillsEnergy & Environment pageStay up-to-date with the latest news and coverage We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
