Welcome toWednesday’s Overnight Energy & Environment,The latest news and information on energy, environment, and everything in between. Subscribe here thehill.com/newsletter-signup.
Today we are looking at the EPA giving California back its control over clean car standards, Georgia’s plan to suspend gas tax, and the response of the Secretary of States to the increased oil production in the UAE.
Lets jump in.
California’s authority over emissions has been restored
Wednesday’s announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was that it would restore California’s authority over setting its own clean-car standards, after the Trump administration revoked the state’s authority.
The standards, which have already been adopted by other States, are stricter than federal standards. They will likely push the market towards electric cars.
What does this all mean? The EPAs ActionCalifornia was able once again to set its own limits on the amount planet-warming gasses cars can emit, and mandated a certain number of electric vehicle sales.
The EPA also restored the ability for states to use the California standards in place of the federal standards.
Today, we proudly reaffirm California’s longstanding authority in addressing pollution from vehicles and trucks. Michael Regan
Michael ReganOvernight Environment & Energy Biden pushes truck pollution to be reduced Pentagon shutting down fuel tank facility at Hawaii that leaked into water Second Joint Base Andrews Intruder at Large after search MOREStatement.
He stated that the move would bring back an approach that has been used for many years to improve clean technologies and reduce air pollution, not only for Californians but for all Americans.
The story so far: The Trump administration will be in office in 2019. Waiver revokedCalifornia was able to establish its own vehicle standards. California argued that one standard would provide more certainty for the entire automotive industry.
The industry was split at that time, with some automakers Support the Trump administrationIn litigation and other California to sign a deal to undercut Trump-era clean car rollbacks.
On Wednesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Gavin NewsomNewsom proposes a rebate for California to offset surging gas prices Overnight Care Presented By Alexion Manchin pitch sparks Democratic frustration Newsom unveils a plan for California mental healthcare courts to help homeless(D) rejoiced the decision.
Newsom released a statement thanking the Biden Administration, acknowledging our decades-old authority in protecting Californians and the planet.
The restoration of our states Clean Air Act waivers is a major victory in the environment, economy, and health of families across the nation. It also comes at an important moment that underlines the need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, he said.
The EPA argued that Trump’s move was illegal. inappropriate,The waiver was not void of factual errors, therefore it should not have been revoked.
You can read more about the announcement here.
Blinken praises UAE support for oil production
Secretary of State Antony Blinken
Antony BlinkenOvernight Defense & Security More Help Heading Ukraine’s Way Poland says it’s transferring MiG fighters from US base amid Ukraine’s pleas for assistance UN human rights chief claims that a China trip will include a stop in XinjiangWednesday’s UAE statements were welcomed by the United Arab Emirates, which stated that it supports increased oil production to offset rising costs as the U.S. seeks to exile Russia from the oil market due to its invasion of Ukraine.
Blinken said it was important for OPEC+ (a group of oil-exporting countries) to increase oil production in order to stabilize global energy markets and ensure that there is an ample supply of energy.
According to reports, Yousef al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to America, stated shortly before Blinkens comments that Abu Dhabi favors production rises and will be encouraging OPEC consider higher production levels.” Financial Times.
The Emirati envoy’s remarks follow those of Blinken, who spoke on Tuesday with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. The secretary said that they had spent quite a bit of time talking on the phone.
The State Department provided a readout of the call. It stated that Blinken reiterated his belief in close coordination on Ukraine, and the importance to build an international response to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and democracy following Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked invasion. The Secretary also reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to assist the UAE in strengthening its strong defensive capabilities against threats coming from Yemen and elsewhere within the region.
How did we get here?The U.S. is not part OPEC+ and has been pushing for a faster rate to increase gasoline supply to combat high prices for months. However, the countries have never looked into the issue before.
OPEC+ reduced oil supply during the pandemic because of lower demand. This was due to fewer people commuting and traveling. The group maintained steady increases of 400,000 barrels daily as economies reopened and the demand rebounded.
Oil prices have risen further in recent weeks due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This has put additional pressure on U.S. consumers and others around the world.
Learn more from Rachel Frazin, The Hills Laura Kelly.
GEORGIA PLANS FOR HALT GAS TAX
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp
Brian KempFox News poll – Kemp leads Perdue in Georgia GOP Governor Primary Kemp purchases millions of ad before the Georgia primary The Hill’s Morning Report: Biden pursues Putin and stresses unity MORE(R) announced Wednesday that he and his General Assembly would temporarily suspend state gas taxes due to rising fuel prices.
Kemp’s office stated in a press release that Georgia’s average gasoline prices have risen by more than 50 percent over the past year. Kemp said that the tax suspension would be effective when Kemp signs the legislation. TweetHe is currently working with the Georgia House of Representatives and Senate to “quickly and efficiently move” and last through May.
“Because we have a strong, fiscally conservative approach budgeting, Lieutenant. Governor [Geoff] Duncan [R]Speaker [David] Ralston [R]Kemp stated that he could confidently propose a suspension of the state motor fuel tax to reduce sky-high gasoline prices and return money to Georgians through a tax refund or a cut in income tax.
“With this new measure, we’re making it even easier for families in Georgia to keep their money in there own pockets,” he stated.
Kemp also tried to blame the high prices. President Biden
Joe BidenBiden phoned Susan Collins, a relative of American detained in Russia, to praise Biden’s Supreme Court selection after meeting Former Bernie Sanders press secretary: The proposed defense budget includes an excessive amount for private contractors MOREExperts say that presidents have a limited impact on global markets, however
Continue reading from The Hills Joseph Choi.
AIR PRESSURE
Nearly 50,000,000 Americans are exposed to higher levels in the air due to discriminatory redlining policies that were banned decades ago. According to research published by the journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters.
According to research, black and Latino Americans of all income levels live in areas that have higher levels nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter. Redlining, which is the practice that classifies minority neighborhoods as less risky for investment, is a major factor in these findings. It prevents residents from accessing loans and insurance.
Researchers from the University of California at Berkeley compared Home Owners Loan Corporation maps from the 1930s and 2010 to determine the levels of air pollution in 202 cities, which account for 75 percent of U.S. residents. They found a strong correlation between pollution levels and worse HOLC scores. For example, nitrogen oxide levels in neighborhoods that received a D grade were 50 percent higher than those that received an A.
Researchers also found racial, and ethnic disparities in the grades. White residents were less likely to be exposed to fine particulate matter or nitrogen dioxide than Black or Latino residents. This suggests that redlining may have been a factor in the environmental inequalities, but other racially discriminatory practices could have contributed more recently.
Learn more about the study by clicking here.
OMNIBUS FOR REST OF US
The new compromise omnibus law provides modest increases for the Environmental Protection Agency, Interior Department and Energy Department.
Interior will receive a roughly 6 percent increase and the EPA will be able to get a bump of nearly 4 percent. The Energy Department will receive an approximately 7% bump, not including emergency funds last year.
The funding was part of a $1.5 trillion bipartisan agreement to fund the government.
WHAT WE ARE READING
- US officials reverse course on pesticides harming wildlifeThe Associated Press)
- Ukraine is concerned about radiation leakage at Chernobyl. The IAEA believes that there is no significant safety impact.Reuters)
- Russia crisis could drive a surge in U.S. natural-gas prices (E&E News)
ICYMI
Squid vicious is the final offbeat and offbeat thing.
This is it for today. Thanks for reading. Check out The Hills Energy & Environment pageStay up-to-date with the latest news and coverage We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
