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Today we were looking atSen. Cynthia Lummis
Cynthia Marie LummisOvernight energy & environment Lummis blocks Biden EPA nominees Hillicon Valley: Amazon and the union fight in Alabama take two MOREs (R-Wyo.) hold on President Biden
Joe BidenSunday’s preview: Democrats’ struggle to pass a voting rights bill comes at a head David Weil, wrong man, wrong time, wrong place: Biden’s gamble on voting rights prompts second-guessing MOREs EPA nominees and a failed vote regarding Nord Stream 2 sanctions. Former EPA staffers opposed. Andrew Wheeler
Andrew WheelerOvernight Energy & Environmentlummis picks 150 ex EPA staffers to ask Virginia lawmakers for opposition to Wheeler nomination. Overnight Energy & Environment Virginia gears-up for fight on Trump official MORENomination in Virginia
Rachel Frazin was the editor of The Hill. ZackBudryk was the reporter. Send us your tips:[email protected][email protected]. Follow us on twitter:@RachelFrazin@BudrykZack.
Lets jump in.
Lummis halts Biden EPA nos over coal-plant
Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) Friday’s confirmation that she had placed a hold on President BidensNomination for a senior Environmental Protection Agency position (EPA) citing concerns over the agency’s policies toward a coal-fired plant in her state.
This is the story so far Chair, Senate Environment Committee Tom Carper
Thomas (Tom), Richard CarperOvernight Energy & Environmental Lummis blocks Biden EPA nominations GOP senator blocks Biden EPA nominations over coal plant decision Biden raises vehicle miles standards, reversing Trump’s rollback (D-Del.) (D-Del.) Wednesday, Carper stated that David Uhlmann was nominated to be the EPAs assistant administrator in enforcement and compliance assurance. During a markup, Carper stated during a discussion that an unnamed member from the committee was still waiting for additional information from the agency to decide whether to support the nomination.
Lummis stated that she was the senator in question, and that she had made the decision to block the nomination after the EPA rejected her state’s regional haze plan. Regional haze refers specifically to air pollutions that have an impact on visibility in 156 wilderness areas and national parks.
More: Lummiss office confirmed that she would meet with all four Bidens unconfirmed EPA nominees to discuss the issue.
Lummis stated that today’s EPA decision is a complete reversal compared to the previous administration’s decision for career EPA employees.
The Biden-EPAs decision here is unnecessary hurting Wyoming’s workers in the energy sector and threatening America’s energy independence. It is blatantly partisan, and I will continue my opposition to President Bidens EPA nominees on this issue. Wyoming has worked tirelessly for compliance with federal law regarding its regional haze plan to the Jim Bridger Power Plant. Wyoming’s people and environment will not be helped by the Biden administration’s decision to reverse course in order to appease climate czars at the White House.
Find out more about the holds.
Dems block Cruz Nord Stream 2 sanctions
Thursday’s legislation was blocked by Senate Democrats by Sen. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzOvernight Energy & Environment Lummis holds up Biden EPA picks Equilibrium/Sustainability Bald eagle comeback impacted by lead poison The Hill’s Morning Report: Biden takes it on the chin MORE(R-Texas), to impose Sanctions on Businesses Related to the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline. This is a win by the Biden administration which believes such sanctions could harm relations with Germany.
Senators voted 55 to 44 on Cruz’s legislation, but it failed to get the 60 votes required for it not to pass. Democratic Sens. Tammy Baldwin
Tammy Suzanne BaldwinOvernight energy & environment Lummis holds Biden EPA picks Dems stop Cruz’s Nord Stream 2 sanctions bill Senate delays voting as DC is hit with snowstorm MORE (Wis.), Catherine Cortez Masto
Catherine Marie Cortez MatoOvernight Environment & Lummis holds Biden EPA picks Dems Block Cruz’s Nord Stream 2 Sanctions Bill Vulnerable Senate Democrats See Massive Fundraising Grabs in the Last Quarter of 2021 MORE (Nev.), Maggie Hassan
Margaret (Maggie?) HassanOvernight Energy & Environmental Lummis holds Biden EPA Picks Dems Block Cruz’s Nord Stream 2 Sanctions Bill Biden’s FDA nominee Advances through Key Senate Committee MORE (N.H.), Mark KellyMark KellyWe are America’s independent contractors and we are terrified. Overnight Energy & Environment Lummis holds Biden EPA picks on the Money Student borrowers face rising prices MORE (Ariz.), Jacky Rosen
Jacklyn (Jacky), Sheryl RosenOvernight Energy & Environmental Lummis holds Biden EPA picks Dems to block Cruz’s Nord Stream 2 sanctions bill Eleven interesting race to watch in 2022 MORE(Nev. Raphael Warnock
Raphael WarnockOvernight Environment Lummis holds Biden EPA’s picks Dems block Cruz’s Nord Stream 2 sanctions bill Dems fear they’ll be boxed in without any changes to filibuster or voting rules(Ga.) was a member of every Republican except Sen. Rand Paul
Randal (Rand), Howard PaulOvernight Environment & Lummis holds Biden EPA picks Photos of the Week – Voting rights, former Senator Harry Reid and snowy owls: Dems block Cruz’s Nord Stream 2 sanctions bill(R.Ky.) when voting for the bill.
The vote on Nord Stream 2 will determine how gas is transported from Russia to Germany. It comes at a delicate point for the White House. This is because it is dealing with renewed tensions between Moscow and Washington over its recent buildup of troops at the border with Ukraine.
Hence, why did most Democrats vote against itDemocrats are in a difficult spot, with many having voted for similar sanctions. Senators stressed that they are concerned about Russia and the pipeline but that Cruzs legislation wasn’t the best solution.
This legislation cannot be viewed in isolation. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen
Cynthia (Jeanne ShaheenOvernight energy & environment Lummis holds Biden EPA selects Dems block Cruz’s Nord Stream 2 sanction bill Democrats race for Cruz’s Nord Stream 2 sanction bill MORE(D.N.H.), adding the pipeline is leverage that can be used by the West at pivotal moments.
You can read more about the vote from Laura Kelly and Jordain Carrney of The Hill.
WELL, FED
President BidenFriday saw the announcement of the nominations of three top Federal Reserve officials. This set up a full roster for the Fed Board of Governors.
Biden officially announced that Sarah Bloom Raskin, former Treasury Department Deputy secretary, was nominated to serve the Fed vice chair for supervision and that Philip Jefferson, Davidson College professor, will serve as Fed board member.
Experts at the Fed don’t expect Bidens nominees will dramatically change the course of banks monetary policy. This is controlled by a committee that includes board members and presidents of reserve banks. With inflation at its four-decade highs, and the unemployment rate below 4 percent in December, the Fed will likely begin raising interest rates as soon March.
But there’s always a climate story…However, Biden’s new selections could have a significant impact on the Feds in the future overhaul of anti-redlining regulations and its approach to climate-related risk financial risks.
Raskin will likely face fierce Republican skepticism about her views on how Fed should treat fossil fuel industry and banks that serve it. This is especially after she opposed efforts to include oil companies in COVID-19’s 2020 emergency lending programs.
Rep. Raskin, former Fed Governor, has a long history distinguished government service. Patrick McHenry
Patrick Timothy McHenryOvernight energy & environment Lummis holds Biden EPA picks Sarah Bloom Raskin and two other Fed board Democrats race for inflation ahead(N.C.), the top Republican on the House Financial Services Committee said in a statement.
I encourage her not to take on the political stance of the Vice Chairs for Supervision before her and to remain focused on the supervisory role and leave the fiscal and social policy-making to Congress.
The Hill’s Sylvan Lane has more information about the nominees.
150 ex-EPA staffers opposed Wheeler in Virginia
More than 150 ex-EPA employees are urging Virginia legislators to oppose Trump’s nomination of the EPA chief to a high ranking environmental position.
The ex-employees asked the senators to reject the open letter in which they requested that the senators read it. Impending nominationThis is Andrew WheelerFormer coal lobbyist, to be the state’s Natural Resource Secretary.
As EPA Administrator, Mr. Wheeler pursued an extremist approach,methodically weakening EPAs ability to protect public health and the environment, insteadfavoring polluters, they wrote.
Also, Mr. Wheeler ignored science at the agency and ignored both agency experts and outside experts. He also rolled back rules to reduce greenhouse gasses and protect climate and took steps to hamstring EPA.
Team Youngkin pushes back: Virginia Governor’s spokesperson Glenn Youngkin
Glenn YoungkinSunday show preview: Democrats’ struggle against voting rights bill comes up to a head Youngkin was inaugurated as the first GOP Virginia governor in more than a decade.(R) however, defended former EPA administrator in a written statement.
Spokesperson Macaulay Porter stated that Wheeler is the right person to do the job. Andrew was chosen by the Governor-elect because he is extremely qualified and will deliver for all Virginians.
Andrew will be a vital part of the Chesapeake Bay protection, supporting the Virginia Coastal Restoration Authority and stopping the unneeded dumping raw sewage into James River and the Potomac. Porter stated that Virginians expect more from their elected officials than partisan bickering.
Learn more about the controversy here.
LEGAL BRIEFS – BRIEFLY
ON TAP NEXT WOEEK
On Wednesday:
- Richard Glick, Chairman of FERC, and David Turk, Deputy Energy Secretary We will be there to testifyBefore the House Energy and Commerce Committee on pipeline reliability
Thursday:
- The House Natural Resources CommitteeWill hold a hearingTitled What More Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Lease Means to Achieve U.S. Climate Targets.
- The House Energy and Commerce CommitteeWill hold a hearing“Cleaning up cryptocurrency: Energy impacts of Blockchains”
- The House Natural Resources CommitteeA hearing will be heldA series of water bills and wildlife are included
WHAT WE ARE READING
- The Clean Water Act policy could lead to widespread disarrayE&E News)
- Australia records highest temperature in 62 Years (Reuters)
- Environmental groups and company settle lawsuit over the landfill (The Associated Press)
- One of the largest offshore wind farms in the world is ready for full operationCNBC)
ICYMI
Sri Lankan veterinarians and conservationists warn of the dangers of plastic waste. Killing elephants in the region
Third approves by Biden administration major California solar project
Finally, something a little off-beat and unusual:Voir dairy
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 look forward to seeing you Monday.
